Tips for Buying and Selling on Facebook Marketplace

Tips for Buying and Selling on Facebook Marketplace: This Facebook Marketplace article was initially published in 2014. And, since then, WOW has things changed! For new tips on purchasing and selling in the Facebook marketplace, please see my revised notes at the bottom. I was talking about the latest trend to hit Facebook today on both B105.7 and Indy Style online garage sales, or the’ Facebook Marketplace.’

Are you part of any of your area’s Facebook Marketplaces? I would say that in my county, I’m in 20 different markets, ranging from furniture & home goods to crafts & handmade products, and everything in between. I have some tips from buyers and sellers, and even from a couple of group administrators who can help you get the most out of your money, fully headache-free, whether you’re fresh or seasoned!

Tips for Buying and Selling on Fbook Marketplace

How do you get started on a Facebook Marketplace?

All is just about who you know! Often they start city- or county-wide, and it can become difficult to handle when memberships become too large, so administrators can prefer to split off by group. Do some testing, survey your friends on Facebook, and ask them to invite you if they’re part of a marketplace. Many groups are “closed” or “secret” and need an administrator to accept possible new members.

Tips for Selling on a Facebook Marketplace

  • Admin tip: Read via the policy of the company, normally pinned to the top of the page of the group. Some won’t allow you to cross-post, meaning in different groups, post the same thing. That just opens up an entire o ‘crazy bag trying to keep track of who’s next in line!
  • Admin tip: Before jumping in, watch multiple transactions taking place. See how the dialog moves. Ask questions.
  • Take a decent photo: Cut out the spouse/kid/dog sleeping on the sofa and potato chip bag on the coffee table, please! The best pictures have a contrasting, strong backdrop (I saw it, for real).
  • Price your items to sell: At or just above the selling rates for the garage. That gives you a little wiggle room to bargain, but the buyer never asks if I can take less, possibly 75 percent of what I sold.
  • Post in the correct category: In women’s clothes, do not post a blender because you think women will be the ones who want a blender. #Quite seriously.
  • Be quick in responding (also when buying): It’s a basic courtesy here. No one wants to get excited because they are the first to react to an offer, and for 48 hours, you don’t get back to them. For appropriate timeframes, see the group’s guidelines. And have grace, not everyone is mobile, and in 15 seconds or less, they will respond.
  • Meet in person off-site for higher-priced items: I’m sure it goes without saying, but for 10 hours, don’t leave cash lying on your doorstep. You may be comfortable leaving your sold goods in a tote on your porch if you work from home or stay at home and collect cash until the item has been picked up. Otherwise, to make your transaction, find a secure meeting place near to home.

Here’s an example of a great transaction from the Facebook Marketplace. Details of her item, her general location, and price were posted by the seller. Someone answered, and then the seller replied that she had given the first responder a private message. One additional individual expressed concern by commenting on “Next.” The seller will go to the next one in line if the first buyer leaves.

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Tips for Buying on a Facebook Marketplace

  • In business, line jumping is not a sport! Simply put “inline” in your comment if there is more than one person ahead of you, and any respectable seller will step down the list if the first responder passes on the object. “Don’t type “Rapid pickup! As my dog is dying and my car has broken down, and my boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife has abandoned me, I need this item ASAP. Wait your turn like anyone else.
  • Do any bartering before pickup. Some like to do this via a private Facebook message.
  • Inspect item upon pickup. It’s ok to pass!
  • Learn the words: Learn the terms, so you know what the hell people are talking about, similar to selling on eBay or Craig’s List. EUC = excellent used condition; NWOT = new without marks, etc. PPU = pending pickup;

You will see some examples of goods purchased/sold on the market in this picture (above). I bought the two framed art prints for $4 each to go near our bar in the basement (still with $29.99 price tags on the back, each). The two pairs of jeans are a prop I borrowed from my neighbor, and she paid $10 for the Paige jeans on the Facebook marketplace ($150-$200 retail) and $5 for the Limited jeans ($50-75 retail).

Is it time-consuming? It could be. Factor in your picture, taking, and uploading time. Switch off your updates, so that marketplace sales don’t inundate your Facebook newsfeed. And others say that when an object is expected to be picked up, there are no-shows.

Is it safe? I believe so, especially because, if you are concerned in some way, you can meet someone off-site. Be wise, as with any online contact or transaction. One admin told me that people have seen them put their street address in a comment (instead of private messaging). It wouldn’t be that wise.

Is it fun? Yeah, it’s pretty fun, I’ll admit! Via Indy Kids Sale, I sell most of my children’s clothes and toys twice a year, but with home decor, kitchen pieces, and my own clothing, I’ve had some decent success. I save my money by selling some “fun money,” spending it on shoes or a bag, you know, girlie stuff like that. Another friend of mine sold all the furniture from her living room collection via the Facebook marketplace and used the money to put it in her new set. On my media channel, you can view the video clip from today’s Indy Style segment and listen to audio from B105.7.

I hope you find these Tips for buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace helpful! Do you participate in marketplaces on Facebook where you live? And what is your view on them?

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