Do you know your friends can use Facebook to buy and sell secondhand goods? They can even let their profile visitors see what they’re selling so they don’t have to meet strangers. This feature is known as Facebook Marketplace; a standalone app that has been incorporated into the main Facebook app.
It lets people buy and sell things locally, making it easy for people who want to find new friends with common interests or for those who simply want to sell their old things.
We know that new features from social media platforms often appear gimmicky at first, but this might be something you’ll come back to later on in its life cycle because it works—and it works well. Here are 10 things you should know before buying/selling on Facebook Marketplace
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a feature that lets people buy and sell items from their News Feeds. This is a standalone app that has been built into the Facebook app. It’s completely separate from your friends’ regular posts, so you won’t see them in your feed.
Anyone who wants to buy or sell can do so through the app. You can browse or search for items, add them to your cart, and then buy or sell them. Facebook Marketplace’s functionality is similar to that of Craigslist, eBay, or Amazon.
Facebook Marketplace also has a feature called Marketplace Groups, which lets people create a group of items that they’re selling or looking to buy. Visitors can browse items in the group or post a reply if they’re interested in buying or selling an item.
Why use Facebook Marketplace?
You can find a lot of things on Facebook Marketplace that you’d have a hard time finding elsewhere. Because the app is designed for selling items locally, you can find almost anything within a few miles of your current location.
Although eBay is still a great resource for finding things to buy, Facebook Marketplace is more convenient for many people because it’s integrated into their social media app. It’s also a way to connect with local people and support your community.
Facebook Marketplace makes it easy to browse and search for items thanks to filters and categories that help you find things that interest you. The map feature lets you see what’s available near you so you can go check out the items in person and make a purchase quickly and easily.
How to find items on Facebook Marketplace
To find items on Facebook Marketplace, you can browse the Marketplace tab on the app. Once you’re there, you can use the Explore section to browse categories.
The Explore section has subcategories for things like furniture, gadgets, kids’ items, and more. You can also browse Marketplace by typing a keyword or item into the search bar and then clicking the magnifying glass icon. You can filter your search by category, and you can save any items you want to look at later by clicking the heart icon.
If you’re browsing the Marketplace tab, you’ll see posts from sellers who have chosen to show their items on Facebook Marketplace in addition to posts that are only visible to friends.
What you can and cannot do in FB Marketplace
Unlike eBay, there aren’t explicit rules against misleading buyers. That means that you have to be savvier than you would have to be on eBay and make sure that you’re being clear about your item’s condition (and photos!). You should also be wary of buying things from people you don’t know, especially if you’re trying to pay for an expensive item.
This is a common thing when you’re buying secondhand goods, but it’s extra important to be aware of it on Facebook Marketplace. Facebook does not have a system for dealing with disputes the way eBay does, so you’re more on your own if something goes wrong.
Things to be aware of when buying on FB Marketplace
- The seller might not be who they say they are. Be wary of people who don’t have some kind of profile.
- Always check items thoroughly and make sure they’re in good condition.
- Be mindful of your payment method. If you’re paying with cash, it might be better to use PayPal so that you have some kind of recourse if something goes wrong.
- Be aware of shipping times. If you’re buying something online, you might have to factor in shipping time.
- Remember that you can always leave negative feedback if something goes wrong.
- Always make sure that you’re buying from a legitimate seller.
How to use the Facebook Marketplace app
If you’re buying something on Facebook Marketplace, it’s best to use the app for it. That way, you can communicate with the seller more easily and quickly.
If you’re searching for items to buy, you can use the main Facebook app to browse. You can use the filter menu to narrow down your search by category, price, and distance. You can also use keywords to search for items that way as well.
You can also check out items in your feed that are related to things you’ve browsed or searched for. If you see something you like, you can click the drop-down menu next to the post and click “hide” next to the Marketplace tab. This will move it to a feed where you can look at it without seeing it in your main feed.
Tips for buying and selling on FB Marketplace
When buying an item from a seller, ask them if they’re willing to let you pay a portion of the item and make payments for the rest. This is a great way to get an item that you really want but might not be able to afford right away.
When buying, make sure that you get the seller’s name, address, and phone number so you can feel more comfortable with the transaction. You can also use sites like PayPal or BidPay to make sure that the seller will uphold their side of the transaction. If you’re selling an item, make sure that you have good pictures of it. Good pictures are crucial: if you don’t have good pictures, people won’t buy your item.
Facebook allows you to sell either for free or for a fee
Facebook Marketplace is free to use, but it accepts paid listings. These are ads that let you promote your item more prominently. You can choose from three types of ads:
- The Boosted Post option lets you promote a post for a fee. You can choose how much you want to spend and for how long the ad runs.
- The Boosted Offer option lets you promote a specific item for a fee. You can also choose how much you want to spend and for how long the ad runs.
- The Boosted Place option lets you promote your physical business for a fee. You can also choose how much you want to spend and for how long the ad runs.
Facebook Marketplace is only available in select countries
Facebook Marketplace is available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. Facebook is always adding new countries, so it may be available in your area soon.
If you’re in one of the countries that currently has the feature and you’re interested in using it, be sure to turn it on in the app. You can do this by going to Settings > Marketplace and tapping “Turn on Marketplace.”
Don’t forget to specify condition and price
If you’re selling an item on Facebook Marketplace, be sure to specify its condition. If it’s used, tell the buyer what flaws it has. This is important because you don’t want to get into a dispute later on. If you’re buying an item, you can use these details to decide whether or not to buy it. You can also search for the item’s price online to see if it’s a good deal.
For example, if you’re buying a used laptop, you can check to see what a new one costs and see if it’s worth it to buy the used one. If the seller doesn’t mention the condition of the item, you can always ask. This can help you avoid disappointment and headaches later on.
Be specific with what you’re selling, especially the condition and price
The more information you put in, the better chance you have of finding a buyer/seller. If you’re selling a guitar, let people know what condition it is in. If you’ve only used it for a few months, it’s probably in “like new” condition, but if you’ve had it for years, it’s probably “used.” The same goes for price; if you’re asking for $5,000 for a Gibson Les Paul, you’re probably going to get very few offers. If you’re asking for $500 for the same guitar, you’re probably going to get a lot more offers. Be specific!
Check out your prospective seller/buyer before meeting them. Or don’t meet at all.
Even with the best intentions, sometimes people don’t show up for a meeting. You may want to invest a few minutes looking at the seller’s/buyer’s other posts and profile before agreeing to anything. Remember, anyone can post anything on Facebook! If you don’t feel comfortable meeting, don’t. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Again, this goes for any website or app.
Don’t give anyone your password or credit card info. This goes for any site or app that asks for it. Always be careful!
This should go without saying, but with any site or app that asks for your login information, always be careful! You never know who may be lurking around. Again, this goes for any site or app.
There are some pretty strict ad rules
You’d think this would go without saying, but many people make mistakes with Facebook Marketplace ads. You can see these rules here. It’s worth checking out before you start using Facebook Marketplace to avoid having to correct/remove ads that violate these rules.
It’s easy to set up an ad to sell your stuff
If you’re selling something, you can easily create an ad from your phone. Simply select the item from your device, choose a photo from your device, write a short description, set a price, and select the condition of the item. Facebook Marketplace is free, and there are no listing fees like on other sites.
Facebook Marketplace is not just for selling
If you’re looking to buy something, you can use Facebook Marketplace to locate and connect with other people who have what you’re looking for. You can browse by category or enter a keyword to search nearby. If you see something you like, click the “Message’ button to connect with the owner. Facebook Marketplace is a great place to find items that are specific to your area, like a lawnmower or winter jacket.
Don’t use emoji on your ad headline
You may think using emojis in your ad title is a good idea, but it’s against the rules. You can use them in your ad summary, but only if they’re relevant and they don’t make your ad stand out too much.
Be very careful with your personal information
As with any form of social media, be sure not to share any personal information that you don’t want others to see. Facebook is great for buying/selling, but be careful with what you’re posting.
Be aware of scammers on FB Marketplace
This goes hand in hand with being careful with your information. Always be certain you’re dealing with someone who is trustworthy and legitimate. If someone asks you to send them money/items or if they want you to pay them outside of the site, be extremely careful. You can report people for violating these rules, and Facebook will take care of it from there.
There are a lot of good things about Facebook Marketplace. It’s a great way to meet people in your area with common interests. It’s a great way to unload your old stuff and get rid of things you don’t need. It’s also a great way to buy items that are specific to your area. So what are you waiting for?
Come on in and see what you can find!
## Be careful!
Be careful!
This goes for any website or app. Stay safe while using the internet!
Did you know that Facebook Marketplace is only available in a few countries? If you’re in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia or New Zealand and think it’s a good idea, you’re lucky enough to be in one of the few countries where it’s available. If not, you can always use Craigslist or eBay to buy and sell stuff!
There are also many Facebook Marketplace alternatives (both app-based and website-based). They include Letgo, OfferUp, Wallapop, Craigslist, Gumtree, and eBay.
And last but not least, if you use Facebook Marketplace, you can actually earn up to $5000 per month for free – just by selling your old stuff!
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