My Real Experience with Selling Items in Dubai – What Nobody Tells You

Ok so heres the thing about selling items in Dubai that I wish someone had told me when I first got here… its both easier AND harder than you think. Like fr, I remember standing in my apartment back in 2024, looking at all the stuff I needed to sell before moving, and thinking “how hard can this be?”

Spoiler alert: I learned SO much the hard way lol.

Dubai is this crazy mix of traditional souks and ultra-modern apps, and honestly? Selling items in Dubai has become one of the most interesting experiences Ive had here. Whether your selling furniture because your leaving, getting rid of clothes, or even trying to make some side income, the market here is… different. And I mean that in a good way mostly.

Let me walk you through what Ive actually learned from selling everything from my old iPhone to a whole apartment worth of furniture.

Understanding the Market for Selling Items in Dubai

First things first – Dubai’s second-hand market is MASSIVE. And I mean massive. Theres like 3.5 million people here, and probably half of them are expats who move in and out constantly. This creates this constant cycle of people buying and selling stuff, which is honestly perfect if you know how to work it.

When I started selling items in Dubai, I didnt realize how price-sensitive the market is. People here love a good deal (who doesnt tbh), but they also expect quality. Its this weird balance where you cant overprice but you also shouldnt undersell yourself. I learned this when I tried to sell my IKEA bed frame for what I thought was a reasonable 800 AED… got maybe 2 inquiries in a week. Dropped it to 600 AED and sold it within 2 days.

The thing is, selling items in Dubai means understanding that most buyers are either:

1. New expats setting up their homes on a budget
2. People leaving who need stuff quick
3. Bargain hunters who know the market really well
4. Small businesses buying in bulk to resell

Each group has different expectations, and ngl, it took me a few failed attempts to figure this out.

Best Platforms for Selling Items in Dubai (From Personal Experience)

Okay so when I first started selling items in Dubai, I made the mistake of posting on just ONE platform. Big mistake. Heres what actually works:

Dubizzle – This is like THE platform for selling items in Dubai. I mean everyone uses it. I sold my car here, my furniture, even some books. But here’s what they dont tell you: response time matters SO much. I posted my coffee table at 9 PM once and got 15 messages by 10 PM. Posted my desk at 2 PM on a Thursday and… crickets for days. Timing is everything.

The fees on Dubizzle for featured ads are around 25-50 AED depending on the category, but honestly? For bigger items its worth it. I sold a 3-seater sofa within hours of paying for a featured listing.

Facebook Marketplace – This ones tricky. The Dubai Flea Market group has like 500k+ members, and I’ve had success selling items in Dubai through there, but be prepared for ALOT of lowballers. Like, I listed a barely-used Nespresso machine for 300 AED (it cost me 600 new), and someone offered me 100. I was like… really?

But the advantage? You can see peoples profiles, which helps weed out sketchy buyers. Trust me, this matters when your inviting someone to your apartment.

Instagram – Surprisingly effective for selling items in Dubai, especially branded stuff or niche items. I sold a bunch of gym equipment through my stories, and the engagement was way better than I expected. Just use hashtags like #dubaiforsale #dubaimarket #sellingitemsindubai (yes I literally use that one lol).

Noon and Carrefour Links – If your selling electronics or unopened items, these platforms have started allowing individual sellers. The verification process is annoying (took me like 3 days), but selling items in Dubai through these channels gives you more credibility.

My Biggest Mistakes When Selling Items in Dubai

Oh man, where do I even start…

Mistake #1: Not taking good photos I posted my dining table with the most terrible lighting ever. Like, you could barely see the wood grain. Got zero interest. Retook the photos in natural light, added 4 different angles, and suddenly I had 8 people messaging me. The difference was insane. When selling items in Dubai, your photos are literally everything because most people wont come see something unless it looks good in pictures.

Mistake #2: Being too available This sounds counterintuitive but hear me out. When I first started selling items in Dubai, I’d immediately respond to every message and offer to meet whenever. People would flake ALL THE TIME. Now I set specific viewing hours and stick to them. Way less time wasted.

Mistake #3: Not asking for deposits Someone convinced me to hold a TV stand for them for “just two days” without a deposit. They ghosted me completely. Meanwhile, I’d turned down 3 other interested buyers. Now when I’m selling items in Dubai, anything over 200 AED requires at least a 50 AED deposit if they want me to hold it.

Mistake #4: Wrong pricing strategy I used to price things at exactly what I wanted. Now I price about 15-20% higher because everyone negotiates here. Its just part of the culture when selling items in Dubai. That way when someone asks for a discount, I can “meet them halfway” and still get what I actually wanted.

The Reality of Selling Different Categories in Dubai

Electronics & Gadgets Selling electronics when selling items in Dubai is relatively easy but the depreciation is BRUTAL. I sold my iPhone 12 Pro after 18 months and got maybe 40% of what I paid. But they sell fast if priced right. Gaming consoles, laptops, cameras – these move quickly, especially during back-to-school season (Aug-Sept) or around Eid.

Pro tip: Keep original boxes and receipts. I sold my MacBook for 600 AED more than someone elses identical model just because I had the original packaging and proof of purchase.

Furniture This is where I made most of my money selling items in Dubai. The furniture market here is constant because of people moving. But heres the catch – delivery matters. If you cant deliver, your limiting your buyer pool significantly. I partnered with a guy who has a pickup truck, and we split the delivery fee. Worked out great.

IKEA furniture sells okay but dont expect more than 30-40% of original price. Branded stuff (Home Centre, Pan Emirates) holds value better. That fancy wooden cabinet I bought from Marina Home for 3500 AED? Sold it for 2000 AED after 2 years. Not bad honestly.

Clothes & Accessories The market for selling clothes when selling items in Dubai is interesting. Branded stuff sells if its in good condition. I sold some barely-worn Zara pieces for decent prices through Instagram. But regular high-street brands? Super hard unless your practically giving them away.

Designer items though… thats a different story. Consignment stores in Dubai Mall and JBR will take your luxury items, but they take like 30-40% commission. Still worth it for the convenience tho.

Kids Items If your selling baby/kids stuff when selling items in Dubai, your in luck. These items move FAST. Parents here are always looking for good deals on strollers, car seats, toys, clothes. I helped my friend sell her kids stuff when she was leaving, and we sold everything within a week. The Facebook groups for mums in Dubai are super active.

Legal Stuff You Need to Know About Selling Items in Dubai

Okay this is important… there are some restrictions when selling items in Dubai that I learned about (thankfully before getting in trouble).

What you CANT sell:

• Alcohol (obviously, this is UAE)
• Prescription medications
• Counterfeit items (they’re serious about this)
• Items without proper licensing if your doing it as a business
• Tobacco products without license

If your selling items in Dubai regularly and making significant income, technically your supposed to have a trade license. The threshold isnt super clear, but if your doing this as a side hustle that brings in consistent money, look into getting a freelance permit or e-commerce license. They’re not crazy expensive (around 1000-1500 AED annually) and keep you legal.

I know someone who was selling items in Dubai full-time through Instagram and got contacted by authorities because someone reported them. They had to register their business retroactively and pay some fines. Not fun.

Tips for Actually Making Sales When Selling Items in Dubai

After selling probably 50+ items over the past couple years, heres what actually works:

1. Timing is everything Post on weekends between 8-10 PM for maximum visibility. Thursdays and Fridays are prime days for selling items in Dubai because people are planning their weekends and have time to browse.

2. Descriptions matter Be detailed. When selling items in Dubai, people want to know exact measurements, condition, age, reason for selling, location. I started including all this info upfront and my response rate went way up.

3. Location flexibility If your in Dubai Marina, mention that your willing to meet at Metro stations or deliver to nearby areas. I’ve completed sales at Mall of the Emirates food court more times than I can count lol.

4. Price transparency Always include the price in your listing. Posts that say “DM for price” get way less engagement when selling items in Dubai. People dont want to waste time.

5. Quick responses The fast responder usually makes the sale. I keep notifications on for my selling platforms because someone else might swoop in if I wait too long.

Negotiation Culture When Selling Items in Dubai

Ngl, this was the hardest part for me to get used to. EVERYONE negotiates here. Like everyone. I remember the first time someone offered me half of my asking price – I was so offended lol. Now I understand its just how selling items in Dubai works.

Heres my negotiation framework that works:

• Price items 15-20% above your minimum acceptable price
• First counteroffer: drop 5-10%
• If they push, drop another 5%
• Have a firm bottom line and stick to it

Some people will try the “I only have X amount in cash right now” tactic. Sometimes its true, sometimes not. Use your judgment.

Also, be prepared for people to inspect items thoroughly. Someone checked every drawer of my dresser, tested all the handles, even measured it to make sure it would fit their space. When selling items in Dubai, this level of scrutiny is normal.

Safety Tips I Wish I’d Known Earlier

Real talk – safety matters when selling items in Dubai. The city is generally super safe, but still:

• Meet in public places for smaller items (malls, coffee shops, building lobbies)
• For furniture viewings at home, have someone else there
• Cash transactions are normal, but for expensive items, consider bank transfers
• Keep conversations on the platform until you’ve met (dont give out personal WhatsApp immediately)
• Trust your gut – if something feels off, cancel

I once had a weird interaction with someone who kept changing the meeting time and asking personal questions. Cancelled the sale and blocked them. Better safe than sorry when selling items in Dubai.

The Seasonal Patterns of Selling Items in Dubai

One thing Ive noticed about selling items in Dubai – theres definitely seasons for different stuff:

Summer (June-Aug): Slower generally because people travel, but good for selling travel accessories, luggage, summer clothes.

Back to School (Aug-Sept): Perfect for selling kids items, furniture (families moving), electronics.

Pre-Holidays (Nov-Dec): Great time for selling items in Dubai because people want deals before spending on holidays.

Post-New Year (Jan-Feb): People decluttering, lots of competition but also lots of buyers.

Pre-Summer (March-May): BEST time for selling items in Dubai honestly. People leaving before summer, new people arriving, spring cleaning happening.

I made the mistake of trying to sell a bunch of stuff in July once. Took forever. Waited until September and everything went within days.

My Success Stories (And One Total Failure)

Success #1: Sold an entire apartment worth of furniture in 10 days before leaving for vacation. Made about 12,000 AED total. The secret? Bundled deals and quick decision-making. When selling items in Dubai in bulk, people appreciate efficiency.

Success #2: Flipped some electronics for profit. Bought a gaming console during a sale for 1200 AED, used it for 6 months, sold it for 1100 AED. Basically paid 100 AED to use it for half a year lol.

The Failure: Tried to sell a treadmill that was too heavy to move easily. Listed it for 800 AED, got interest, but when people realized theyd need special transportation to get it out of my apartment (4th floor, no elevator big enough), everyone backed out. Eventually had to practically give it away for 200 AED to someone who brought 3 guys to carry it down. Lesson learned: factor in logistics when selling items in Dubai.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Items in Dubai

Final Thoughts on Selling Items in Dubai

After all this experience selling items in Dubai, heres what I’ve concluded: its worth it, but you need to be strategic. The market is there, the demand is there, but you need to understand how things work here.

Be patient but not too patient. Price right but leave room for negotiation. Take good photos. Be honest about condition. Respond quickly. Meet safely.

The money I’ve made from selling items in Dubai has funded trips, covered unexpected expenses, and honestly just feels good – decluttering AND making money? Win-win.

If your new to selling items in Dubai, start small. Sell a few things, learn the platforms, understand the negotiation culture, then scale up. Its actually kinda fun once you get the hang of it.

And remember – someone out there needs exactly what your selling. You just gotta find them.

P.S. This info is from Feb. 2026 but tbh things change fast in the Dubai market so double check platform fees and regulations! And if ur reading this later… hope the selling scene has gotten even better lol. Also, if you’ve had different experiences selling items in Dubai, Id love to hear about them – we’re all learning here fr.