How Malta's Garage Works

A smarter way to buy and sell second-hand goods - with built-in deadlines,
fair pricing, and payments that protect everyone.

You set the deadline. We make sure it sells.

Malta's Garage is built for people who need their things sold by a specific date - whether you're moving abroad, downsizing, renovating, or just finally clearing out the spare room.

Unlike regular marketplaces where items can sit for months, here your listing has a countdown. That urgency is what attracts buyers and keeps prices honest - you set a fair "Buy Now" price, and as the deadline approaches, an automatic auction kicks in so nothing goes to waste.

Guaranteed outcome

Your item either sells at your price or through the auction. It won't just expire with no result.

No haggling in DMs

Price offers and bundle offers go through the platform - structured, trackable, and no time-wasters.

Secure payment before handover

Money is collected upfront via Stripe. You hand over the item knowing you've already been paid.

Only 10% platform fee

We take 10% (minimum €1) when a sale completes. Nothing up front.

How to sell, step by step

1
Create your listing

Add photos, a description, and set two prices: your Buy Now price (what you'd happily accept today) and your minimum auction price (the lowest you'd accept if it came to a bid). Then set your deadline.

2
Buyers browse and offer

During the listing period, buyers can purchase at your Buy Now price instantly, or make a price offer if they'd like to negotiate. They can also bundle multiple of your listings into a single offer. In the final 7 days, the auction phase opens - buyers place bids starting from your minimum price, competing to win the item.

3
Arrange delivery

Once sold, choose how to get the item to the buyer. MaltaPost for shipping - you add a tracking number and the platform monitors delivery. Or Hand-to-Hand for in-person - the buyer confirms receipt directly from their order page, releasing the payment instantly.

4
Get paid

Payment is released to your Stripe account once the buyer confirms receipt. This usually happens within minutes. Build up reviews to grow your reputation and sell faster next time.

How the auction phase works

7 days before your deadline, if the item hasn't sold at Buy Now price, it automatically enters Auction Phase. Buyers can now place bids in €1 increments, starting from your minimum price.

When the deadline hits, the highest bidder wins. They pay through the platform and you arrange delivery - same as any other sale. The auction ensures that as long as someone wants your item, it won't just silently expire.

Note: a buyer can still Buy Now during the auction phase if they want to skip the bidding.

Day 0

You publish the listing. Buy Now is available.

Day X−7

Auction phase opens. Bids start.

Deadline

Highest bidder wins and pays.

Common seller questions

If no one places a bid and no one buys at Buy Now price, the listing expires. In that case, there's no fee - you only pay the 10% commission when a sale completes. You can always re-list with a lower price or extended deadline.

Payment is held in escrow until the buyer confirms they received the item in good condition. Once confirmed (or after a reasonable timeout), the funds are released to your connected Stripe account. Stripe transfers to your bank account typically within 2–7 business days depending on your country.

Cancellations after payment are handled through a dispute process. If the item is damaged or significantly different from the description, the buyer may request a refund. Unjustified cancellations by sellers can affect your account rating.

You can create listings without Stripe, but you'll need to complete Stripe Connect onboarding before a buyer can pay. It takes about 5–10 minutes and only needs to be done once. We'll prompt you when the time comes.
Create your first listing

Real items, real prices - from people who actually need to sell.

Sellers on Malta's Garage have a deadline. That changes everything. Instead of listing something at an optimistic price and waiting forever, they set realistic prices from the start.

You'll find well-maintained furniture, electronics, bikes, kitchen gear, and more - priced to move, not priced to sit. And because every payment goes through secure escrow, your money is protected until the item is actually in your hands.

Motivated sellers = better prices

Sellers have a real deadline, so prices are honest from day one.

Buy Now, bid, or make an offer - your choice

Grab it instantly at Buy Now price, wait for the auction, make a price offer, or bundle items for an even better deal.

Escrow protection

Your payment is held securely. The seller only gets paid once you confirm the item arrived.

Verified seller ratings

Check a seller's history and reviews before you commit to anything.

How to buy, step by step

1
Find what you need

Browse by category or use the expiring-soon section to catch the best last-minute deals. Filter by location to find items you can pick up nearby.

2
Buy, bid, or make an offer

Use Buy Now to grab the item instantly. During the auction phase, place a bid in €1 increments and win if you're highest when the clock runs out. Or skip both - click Make an Offer to propose your own price, or go to the seller's profile and send a Bundle Offer on multiple items at once.

3
Pay securely

Payment goes through Stripe - card, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Your money is held in escrow until you confirm the item is received. You're protected at every step.

4
Receive and confirm

Get the item via MaltaPost or pick it up in person. Click Confirm Receipt on your order page - this releases payment to the seller - then leave a review.

Your options as a buyer

Buy Now
  • You want the item and don't want to risk losing it to another bidder
  • The price already feels fair
  • You need it by a specific date
  • Available any time during the listing
Auction
  • You're flexible on timing and want to try for a lower price
  • The listing is in its final 7 days
  • Not many competing bids yet
  • Minimum bid starts lower than Buy Now price
Make an Offer
  • The Buy Now price feels a bit high and you want to negotiate
  • You're interested in multiple items from the same seller - use a Bundle Offer
  • Only available in the active phase, before auction starts
  • Seller has 24 hours to accept or decline

Common buyer questions

Don't confirm delivery if the item is significantly different from the listing. Open a dispute through your order page and we'll step in to help resolve it. Your payment stays in escrow until the issue is sorted out.

You'll see a "You Won!" banner in your orders section. Click through to complete the payment - same secure Stripe checkout as Buy Now. Once paid, the seller arranges delivery or you agree on a pickup time.

After payment, coordinate with the seller via Messages to arrange a meetup. Inspect the item carefully, and if you're happy with it, go to your order page and click Confirm Receipt - this instantly releases the escrow payment to the seller and marks the order complete. Never confirm before you have physically received and inspected the item.

No. The platform fee (10%) comes from the seller's side. As a buyer you pay exactly what's shown - no hidden charges, no booking fees.

Yes. On any active listing (before the auction phase starts) you can click Make an Offer to propose a lower price. The seller will be notified and can accept or decline in the chat. If accepted, you proceed to checkout at the agreed price. Offers expire after 24 hours if the seller doesn't respond.

A Bundle Offer lets you pick two or more items from the same seller and propose a single combined price for the whole lot. Open the seller's profile page, tick the items you want, enter your offer amount, and submit. If the seller accepts, you pay for everything in one checkout. Great for saving on multiple purchases from the same person. Bundle Offers also expire after 24 hours.
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