“Hey! I have a Sharetown pickup to make in your area; let’s meet for coffee!” 

…were Tom’s last words before he hung up the phone. 

We met at the coffee shop, where he told me everything about Sharetown and how he makes money from reselling mattresses. The idea really intrigued me, which was why I told him to give me a breakdown and what I should expect to earn monthly. 

I have compiled all the information for you in this article, along with an app that lets you earn money without doing anything!

So let’s start earning $$$!

What is Sharetown

When people buy a mattress online, they often get to test it for about 100 days to see if they like it. If they’re not happy, they can send it back for a refund. But here’s the problem: a big, opened mattress can’t just be stuffed back in its original box or easily sold to someone else.

That’s where Sharetown comes in. They help mattress and furniture companies by picking up these returned items from customers through representatives, spread across the USA. Sharetown also has an app available on Android and iOS that you can access on the go.

Sharetown then decides whether to: 

• Donate
• Recycle
• Responsibly dispose of them

This makes the whole return process much easier for both the customer and the brand.

How to Become a Sharetown Representative

Becoming a Sharetown representative is a 4-step process, you would require the following:

• Name and Address
• Phone Number and Email
• Eligibility to Work in the US (at least 18 years old, no felonies or DUIs)
• Vehicle Make and Model
• Willingness to Drive Up to 50 Miles to Pick up an Item
• Ability to Lift at Least 50 Pounds by Yourself or up to 100 Pounds With a Partner
• Ability to Store at Least 10 Large/Bulky Items
• Smartphone and Willingness to Sell Items Online
• Driver’s License

You will receive a verification email once you have completed the application form. Typically, Sharetown’s team responds in two weeks. 

Note: Your selection depends on, whether representatives are required in your area. If reps are already available, you might not hear back from them.

YAY! I am Sharetown Rep…What Now?

First, you get notified of a new pickup job in your area, which includes all the essential details such as location, customer contact, and any timing specifics. This info allows you to reach out directly to the customer, coordinate when you’ll grab the item, and head over for the pickup.

Once you’ve collected the item, you have two possible paths. 

1. You’ll take it to a designated donation center and get paid for the delivery.
2. If it’s a resellable item like a mattress, you’ll prep it for resale. 

Sharetown reps often list items on popular local marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, allowing them to make the most from each sale. 

After the item sells, Sharetown takes care of the following steps: 

1. Divide the payment received.
2. A portion of the payment is sent back to the original manufacturer.
3. Sharetown keeps a portion of the payment to cover its operating expenses.
4. The remaining balance is sent to you, the rep, as your earnings from the sale. 

Note: The amount you receive depends on the resale price and the markup achieved. If you are a good salesman, it means more money for you. 

Best Practices to Transport a Mattress

1. Storage is IMPORTANT!

Since mattresses are bulky, securing a clean, dry storage space is a must while waiting for buyers. To keep costs down, Tom started by using his garage. This is a smart move: He mentioned that he could typically fit about 5 to 7 mattresses leaned against a wall in a garage. After a year in the business, Tom expanded his operation by renting a storage unit. The logic is simple: the more inventory you have, the greater your profit potential. 

1. Optimize Listings

Once the mattress is picked up and cleaned, the hard work isn’t over—now it’s time to sell it. Tom emphasized the importance of listing the item on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist to attract buyers.

As a Sharetown representative, Tom needed to follow specific minimum pricing guidelines set by the company for each item, depending on the region. This rule helps maintain fair competition and prevents reps from underpricing each other just to sell quickly.

3. Go Through the Buyer Price Sheet

Sharetown provides access to a “buy price sheet”—this document shows the amount Sharetown will charge after the mattress is sold. Since negotiating is common on secondhand marketplaces, having a floor price handy ensures sellers know the minimum they can accept. 

While Sharetown offers some product photos for listings, Tom advises to personal photos as well to make the listings more appealing.

Does Sharetown Require an Investment to Start?

This side hustle comes with an investment. If you’re a representative, you would need to buy the following:

• Plastic Mattress Bags ($9 at Walmart)
• Tape (for $128 at Walmart)
• Mattress Deodorant ($18 from Walmart)
• Mattress Vaccum Cleaner ($120 from Walmart)

These cleaning supplies ensure that the mattress sells for the best price, which means more money for you. 

Source: Walmart.com 

How Much Can You Earn With Sharetown as a Rep?

So I asked Tom, how much do you earn from Sharetown, and he gave me the following estimation: 

Description	Amount
Retail Price	$2,000
Suggested Resale Value	$500 – $600
Sharetown’s Cut (after sale)	$175 – $350
Potential Earnings per Sale	$150 – $425
Tom’s Actual Profit (per item)	$257

The Other Side: Problems With Sharetown

Sharetown seems like an attractive option for a side hustle. But it does come with its fair share of problems. Firstly, you would require a large vehicle such as a truck, cargo van, or an SUV to transport mattresses from one place to another. 

Tom was particularly frustrated that Sharetown doesn’t cover expenses for gas, car repairs, insurance, and other costs as an independent contractor such as storage space if there are multiple mattresses. On top of that, Sharetown keeps 50% of the earnings, leaving you behind with a minimal amount. 

And if you live in a remote town in the USA or Canada, your chances of earning would diminish even further. 

Is There an Alternative to Sharetown? Yes!

Being a representative on Sharetown requires you to constantly look for buyers and negotiate just to earn a few bucks more. 

The solution I proposed to Tom was Passive App. This app allows you to earn money simply by sharing your Internet. The app is available on iOS, Android, and Desktop so that users can earn anywhere. 

The best part is that you don’t require any investment, just your phone and a stable internet connection. Passive app runs in the background and all you need to do is sit back and watch your earnings go from $0 to $55 per month.

The amount you would make through Passive app depends on the following factors:

• Location
• Number of IP Addresses
• Your Network

Pro Tip: Since I referred Tom to the app, I got 10% of all his earnings, which meant more monthly earnings for me. 

So don’t ditch the mattress and go Passive!