Did you know you can get paid to pick up and flip returned mattresses and furniture?

If you’ve ever wondered what happens to big items like mattresses or couches when customers return them after buying online, you’re not alone. Shipping these bulky items back to the store or manufacturer is often expensive and wasteful.

That’s where Sharetown comes in — and it creates a flexible side hustle opportunity for people looking to earn extra money.

According to Sharetown, the average monthly income for their reps is around $2,000, based on an average of nine sales per month. Top-performing reps can earn up to $8,000 per month by flipping mattresses and furniture.

I’ve tried dozens of side hustles over the years — from flipping items and taking surveys to freelance work and gig apps. So when I first heard about Sharetown, I was genuinely curious: Could this actually be a legitimate way to make money on your own schedule with zero upfront costs?

In this Sharetown review, I’ll break down exactly how it works, who it’s best suited for, how much you can realistically earn, and whether I think this side hustle is worth trying.

What is Sharetown?

More and more online stores sell their products with no-questions-asked refund policies. For example, there are many mattress and furniture companies where you can test out the product for one month, and if you don’t like the product, then you can return it absolutely free and get all of your money back. They do this because it increases the chance that someone will buy their product (after all, customers can’t test them out beforehand since everything is online!).

And, this is where Sharetown comes in.

Sharetown is a return logistics company that partners with retailers to handle their oversized product returns – such as mattresses, furniture, and fitness equipment (like treadmills).

Instead of sending returned items all the way back to a warehouse (which can be expensive and bad for the environment), Sharetown uses local “reps” to pick up those items, store them, and resell them locally.

This helps the company recover value from returned items, keeps big items out of landfills, and gives people like you and me a chance to make extra money from home.

How does Sharetown work?

If you sign up to become a Sharetown rep, here’s what the process looks like:

1. Receive a pickup request – You’ll be notified through the Sharetown app when there’s an oversized item to pick up in your area.

2. Pick up the item – You go to the customer’s home, pick up the item (usually a mattress or similar), and bring it back to your own storage space. You do not pay anything for the mattress when you pick it up (it’s like free inventory for you to sell!).

3. Clean and sanitize – Before you can sell it, you will need to clean and sanitize it, as this is required by Sharetown.

4. List it for sale – You take photos and list the item on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, etc. You do the selling yourself.

5. Sell the item – Once the item sells, you deliver it to the buyer or arrange for them to pick it up.

6. Get paid – The Sharetown app makes it easy for the buyer to choose whatever payment option works best for them, like debit/credit card, Venmo, cash, and more. You keep your portion immediately, and Sharetown is sent its cut after the item sells.

This is what makes it different from traditional flipping – you don’t have to pay upfront for inventory. You only owe Sharetown their share once the item sells.

Here’s a video I found on how Sharetown works and the entire process:

What Do You Need to Become a Sharetown Rep?

To succeed as a Sharetown rep, you’ll need a few key things:

• A large vehicle — Since you’ll be picking up bulky items like mattresses and furniture, you’ll need something spacious such as a pickup truck, cargo van, or an SUV with a trailer. Sharetown does not provide transportation — you must have your own.

• Storage space — A garage, shed, or spare room where you can safely store items in good condition until they sell.

• A smartphone — To use the Sharetown app and communicate with buyers.

• A positive, professional attitude — You’ll be entering people’s homes and dealing with customers online, so being friendly and reliable is essential.

• Time and availability — This is not a passive income opportunity. You’ll need time for pickups, listing items, responding to buyers, and handling deliveries.

• A helper — Mattresses and furniture are large and heavy. You’ll need someone to assist you with lifting and moving. Many reps ask a spouse or friend for help, while others pay someone $10–$20 per job.

• Basic supplies — Things like mattress bags, tape, tie-downs, and plastic sheeting.

You’ll also need to:

• Be willing to drive up to 50 miles for pickups

• Be physically able to lift and move heavy items

• Be at least 18 years old

• Pass a background check (no DUIs or other disqualifying issues)

How much money can you make with Sharetown?

The amount of money you can make varies, but some reps say they make anywhere from a few hundred dollars a month to several thousand, depending on how many pickups and sales they make.

Some examples from real Sharetown reps:

• One rep said they paid off $16,000 in debt with this side hustle.

• Another said they matched their full-time salary as a nurse after just three months.

• Several reps said they’ve made over $1,000 in profit each month.

But, it’s important to remember that this is still a business. You’re reselling physical items, and that comes with some uncertainty.

You will need to:

• Clean and inspect items

• Wait for the right buyer

• Handle messages and meetups

• Cover gas and maintenance costs on your vehicle

• Pay for expenses like moving supplies

• Remember to save for taxes, as you are an independent contractor for Sharetown

Like most side hustles, the more effort and consistency you put in, the more you can earn.

Pros of Being a Sharetown Rep

Here are the biggest advantages I see:

• No upfront inventory costs — This is one of the strongest benefits. You don’t have to buy items in advance or risk money on stock that might not sell. You only pay Sharetown once an item is sold.

• Flexible schedule — You can work when it fits your life and choose your own hours.

• Strong earning potential — Many reps are earning real money, with averages around $2,000 per month and top performers making significantly more.

• Eco-friendly — You’re giving returned items a second life instead of letting them go to waste.

• Simple business model — No need to build a website, create a brand, or take courses. Just pick up the items and resell them.

Cons of Being a Sharetown Rep

Of course, it’s not perfect. Here are the main drawbacks to consider:

• Requires a large vehicle and storage space — If you don’t already own a truck, van, or SUV and have room to store bulky items, getting started can be difficult and expensive.

• Physical work — Lifting and moving heavy mattresses and furniture is demanding. This is not a sit-at-home, low-effort gig.

• Time commitment — You’ll need to spend time messaging buyers, scheduling pickups, handling deliveries, and managing listings.

• No guaranteed sales — If an item doesn’t sell quickly, you’ll have to store it until it does. However, Sharetown provides a dedicated sales manager to help move inventory through discounts or visibility tips.

• Revenue split — You share a portion of each sale with Sharetown. While they handle a lot behind the scenes, this does reduce your overall profit per item.

It’s important to go into this with realistic expectations. Sharetown is an active side hustle that requires consistent effort — not a passive income stream.

Who Is Sharetown Best For?

Based on how the program works, Sharetown is a good fit for people who:

• Already own a truck, SUV, or large van

• Have access to extra storage space for large items

• Are comfortable using platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist

• Don’t mind physical work

• Want a flexible, local side hustle

This opportunity can work especially well for stay-at-home parents, couples who want to work together, or anyone who enjoys reselling and prefers earning money on their own schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about making extra money with Sharetown.

What does a Sharetown rep do?

They pick up returned items (usually mattresses or furniture), store them, list them for sale locally, and earn money once the item sells.

How much can you make with Sharetown?

It varies. Some make a few hundred per month, while others earn thousands and turn it into a full-time business. Your location, effort, and resale skills will all impact your results and your profit margin.

Is Sharetown in my area?

You’ll have to check the Sharetown app to see if it’s in your area. They are in many towns and cities in the United States. I did read that they may be starting in Canada soon as well.

Do you need a truck to be a Sharetown rep?

Yes, or at least a large SUV or a van. You’ll be hauling bulky items.

Where do you store mattresses and furniture that you’re going to flip for resale through Sharetown?

Mattresses, couches, and fitness equipment are big! So, this is a great question to ask. When many new reps start out on Sharetown, they typically keep the items in their garage or a spare room. If you run a large Sharetown side hustle, though, some people may rent a storage unit (or even multiple storage units – one couple I recently read about has built this into such a large side hustle that they rent 4 storage units!) so they can flip a lot of items at once. So, the answer depends on how many items you plan to flip each month, as well as how fast you are going to sell an item.

Is Sharetown legit or a scam?

It’s legit. They’ve partnered with major retailers and have reps all over the U.S. I’ve found no red flags during my research.

How do you get started with Sharetown?

You can apply directly on their website. If approved, you’ll get access to their app and training materials. It’s very easy to get started!

Is it legal to sell used mattresses?

Yes, it’s legal in most states, but there are rules you have to follow. All of the reps are required to sanitize before reselling, but some states require certain certifications/tags, and reps are sent the appropriate labels from Sharetown to make sure they are complying with state laws everywhere. And, Sharetown has training materials that cover all of the above.

How long does it take to sell an item?

This really depends on your location and the demand in your area. Some reps are able to sell their mattresses or couches within just a few days, while others may take a few weeks to find the right buyer. High-quality, name-brand mattresses usually sell faster, especially if they’re priced well.

Do people actually buy used mattresses?

Yes. Many buyers are happy to purchase lightly used mattresses at a large discount – especially local buyers looking for deals. So, people may be able to buy a $2,000 retail price mattress for just around $500 – which is a great discount! Also, remember that most of these mattresses are barely used! People typically realize fairly quickly that a mattress is not comfortable and will not work for them, and they will start the resale process quickly. From the research I’ve done, most Sharetown reps say that the items they’ve accepted as a return were in nearly perfect condition.

How much does a used mattress sell for?

It depends on the brand and condition, but some can sell for $300 to $600 or more. Sharetown gives you a minimum sale price. You can sell it for more, but you cannot sell it for less than this amount.

Who do you sell a used Sharetown mattress to?

Local buyers can be found through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. You handle the listing and communication.

What happens if no one buys the Sharetown mattress?

You keep the item in storage and try to continue to sell it. You only owe Sharetown once it’s sold, so you’re not stuck with upfront costs. If you are storing the item for a while, you can talk to Sharetown (and your sales manager) about lowering the price below the minimum price that was set by them.

Does Sharetown have customer support?

Yes, Sharetown does give you support to help you with this side hustle. You will have a manager who helps you book pickups and determines pricing. You will also get training, access to a Facebook group with other reps (so that you can ask questions), and a support page.

How much does it cost to be a Sharetown rep?

There are no upfront costs to use Sharetown as a rep. But, you do need to have a large vehicle (a truck or a similar vehicle), a phone, and packing supplies (to protect the items while you are transporting and storing them). You do have to split the sales amount with Sharetown, and the split is different depending on the product and supplier.

Sharetown Review – Is Sharetown worth it?

I hope you enjoyed my Sharetown Review.

For the right person, I think becoming a Sharetown rep can be worth it.

You won’t get rich overnight, and you’ll need to put in some work. But the no-inventory cost model makes this less risky than some other resale-based side hustles.

It’s one of the few opportunities I’ve seen where you can:

• Start with no money upfront

• Work completely on your own schedule and set your own hours

• Potentially scale it into something bigger

If you have the space, the vehicle, and the time, Sharetown is a side hustle that you may be able to make money with.

If you’ve been looking for a real way to make extra money locally, without a lot of upfront investment, becoming a Sharetown rep could be a great fit for you.