Kijiji: how Canadians actually buy and sell locally

What Kijiji is

Kijiji (Swahili for "village") is Canada's biggest classifieds site. eBay owns it, but it operates separately as a local marketplace. About 16 million Canadians use it monthly.

Think Craigslist but cleaner, with more features and better reputation.

Why Canadians use it instead of US sites

Buying from the US means:

• Currency conversion headaches (CAD is usually worth less)
• Import duties
• Shipping costs that often exceed the item's value
• Two-week waits
• Near-impossible returns

Kijiji keeps everything local. No customs, no conversion, no waiting.

Plus no seller fees in most categories. You list for free, sell, keep 100%.

What actually sells

Vehicles - Kijiji is Canada's biggest auto marketplace. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, boats, parts. This is probably its biggest category.

Rental listings - Apartments, houses, rooms, roommates. Huge in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Furniture - Heavy stuff nobody wants to ship. Couches, beds, tables, desks.

Electronics - Phones, gaming consoles, laptops, TVs. Used electronics move well.

Services - Not just products. Cleaning, repairs, moving, pet services, tutoring.

Pricing in Canada

Use CAD. Obviously, but some sellers try listing in USD. Canadian buyers expect Canadian prices.

Don't just convert US prices. Check what similar items actually sell for locally. Markets are different.

Regional variation:

• Toronto/Vancouver: Higher prices, more demand
• Calgary/Edmonton: Good for trucks and outdoor gear
• Montreal: Bilingual listings help
• Smaller cities: Lower prices, smaller buyer pool

Making your listing work

Title: Include brand, model, specs, condition. All 80 characters if needed.

Good: "Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB Unlocked - Excellent Condition" Bad: "Phone for sale"

Photos: Natural light, multiple angles, show damage honestly, include something for scale on bigger items.

Description: Why you're selling, what's included, any issues, dimensions for furniture.

Price: Check similar listings. Add 10-15% for negotiation room. Use round numbers like $200 or $250.

Respond fast. Slow responses lose buyers.

Staying safe

Where to meet:

• Police station parking lots (many have designated spots)
• Bank branches during hours
• Busy shopping centers
• Coffee shops

Don't meet at your home unless you're selling furniture that can't be moved. Don't meet in secluded spots. Don't meet at night.

For expensive items:

• Meet at a bank to verify large cash
• Bring someone
• Use e-transfer (instant and traceable)
• Test electronics before paying

Red flags:

• Brand new accounts
• Pressure to meet immediately
• Requests to ship
• Overpayment offers

Vehicle sales specifically:

• Meet at Service Ontario for ownership transfer
• Verify VIN matches registration
• Get UVIP (Used Vehicle Information Package)
• Don't give keys until payment clears

Kijiji Autos

Premium vehicle listings with more visibility, CarFax integration, dealer verification, price analysis tools.

Worth it for: Vehicles over $5,000, when you need maximum exposure, when competing with dealers.

How it compares

	Kijiji	FB Marketplace	Craigslist	eBay.ca
Canadian users	16M+	Large	Small	Growing
Local focus	Strong	Good	Good	Weak
Seller fees	Free*	Free	Free	13%+
Vehicle sales	Best	Good	Limited	Poor
Buyer profiles	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

*Some premium features cost extra

Provincial notes

Ontario: Biggest market, most competition. Need UVIP for car sales.

Quebec: French helps. Consider bilingual listings.

Alberta: Strong market for trucks and outdoor gear.

BC: Vancouver has premium pricing. Good for outdoor recreation items.

The bottom line

For local selling in Canada, Kijiji is usually the right choice. No fees on most listings, massive local audience, and tools built for the Canadian market.

Take good photos, price based on local comps, respond quickly, and don't do anything stupid safety-wise.

Use CostBuddy to check values before pricing your stuff.