So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and sell some of your things online. Whether it’s because you need a little extra cash or just want to give selling stuff a try, there are several options for selling your items online. You can go through Craigslist, eBay, or even consignment shops. But if you want quick cash without doing much work (or even leaving the house), Facebook Marketplace has got you covered.
Facebook Marketplace is an app that lets you buy and sell items locally with people in your community. Here’s what you need to know about the popular feature:
What is Facebook Marketplace?
According to Facebook, “Marketplace is where people connect, shop and sell with their community.” Basically, it’s like any other online marketplace, only it’s run through a social media platform.
How do I sell things on Facebook Marketplace?
Sign in to your Facebook account and click Marketplace at the bottom of your screen (or search for it in the search bar). From there, you’ll be given options to start shopping or selling. If you want to sell something, click “Sell.” You will then be taken to a menu with two options: adding a listing and selling items you’ve already listed. If you haven’t sold anything before, choose “add a listing” and follow the steps to input photos and information about what you’re selling. NOTE: For this guide, we chose to “sell an item that is not listed,” but most of these steps can also apply to selling something you’ve already listed. You can also change how far away from you people have to be in order to view your item, as well as set a price and condition.
What items do well on Facebook Marketplace?
Because the app is mainly used by locals, it’s best to go with things that are popular or useful in your area. For example, if you live in a college town, try selling textbooks or gift cards for local restaurants and shops. If you’re looking at a smaller city, try selling workout equipment, kitchenware, or furniture.
Where does Facebook Marketplace work best?
As with most things involving money and personal possessions, choosing the right location is crucial. This means that if you choose not to sell an item and it’s available in your area, there’s a good chance someone near you will see it and snatch it up. Facebook has a list of the cities where Marketplace is available here.
How do I get the best price for my items?
We can’t tell you how to haggle with interested buyers, but we can give you some tips on getting the best price.
- Keep an open mind about who wants to buy your item: Not everyone looking at an item is going to be willing to pay top dollar. They may not have enough room to keep it or they might just think that $10 is too much for a shirt or a bookcase. This doesn’t mean they’re being cheap; if anything, this should give you a chance to negotiate a price that works for both of you.
- Browse similar items: Even if a potential buyer doesn’t buy your item, they’ll likely be interested in something else from your post. If there are other listings from the same seller, check them out and try to get an idea of what buyers have paid for related products in the past. Facebook Marketplace has a search function so you can find specific items without scrolling through every single one on the map. Look up similar items and determine what kind of price range is going around before setting yours.
- Be prepared for questions: You might want to write down answers to simple or common questions about your product because chances are people will ask you during negotiations (e.g., “Where’d you get that?” or “Is this still available?”). It doesn’t hurt to be prepared with the specs (size, condition, etc), as well as where and when it was purchased.
- Get your sale finalized ASAP: Once someone decides they want to buy your item, you should finalize the transaction as soon as possible. If you take too long to answer questions or respond to them, other people will see that the item is still available and may try to make their own offers or buy it before you can decide on anything. If necessary, put a time limit for how long you’ll wait for an offer before moving on to the next interested party.
- Be honest about your price: While some people might try to haggle, don’t undersell yourself. The more you sell something for, the less money you’ll ultimately get out of it.
Related Post: What is a Facebook marketing strategy?
If someone asks me about my item after I’ve already agreed on a price with another buyer, what should I do?
There’s no easy answer here; possible responses include telling them you can’t rescind your previous offer or trying to convince the first person to up their bid. Think about whether they’re actually willing to pay more or if there’s any way you can sweeten the deal (e.g., offering free shipping) before deciding on your next move.
How does payment work?
Like everything else related to Facebook Marketplace, payments are made via Facebook Messenger. If you’re selling something, you can choose to transfer it right away or request payment first. Once the buyer has transferred the money, they’ll indicate that the transaction is complete and you can ship out their new possession.
What happens if someone cheats me?
If the item you sold is materially different from what was described in your post, contact Facebook’s support team. They’ll work with you to resolve any disputes. If the problem isn’t significant enough to warrant a complaint, try resolving things through messaging with the buyer.
My post has been on Marketplace for 24 hours and I haven’t gotten any offers or questions. What should I do?
Facebook suggests that you keep your post active by continuing to update it with new pictures or information about an item until it’s sold. You can also try reposting it at regular intervals (e.g., every day or every few days) until someone expresses interest in it. However, there are no guarantees that this will help you sell your stuff any faster.
Is it possible to negotiate the price of something I’m selling?
Absolutely! While some people might try to haggle, don’t undersell yourself. The more you sell something for, the less money you’ll ultimately get out of it. Pricing things too high can also make interested buyers think that there’s something wrong with an item and pass on buying it altogether. If someone asks me about my item after I’ve already agreed on a price with another buyer, what should I do? There’s no easy answer here; possible responses include telling them you can’t rescind your previous offer or trying to convince the first person to up their bid. Think about whether they’re actually willing to pay more or if there’s any way you can sweeten the deal (e.g., offering free shipping) before deciding on your next move.
Conclusion: Facebook Marketplace is a great way to make some extra money by selling your unused items. As we’ve mentioned, it’s important not to undersell yourself and be as upfront about what you’re offering as possible. If the item isn’t attracting any offers or questions after 24 hours, consider reposting it at regular intervals until someone expresses interest in buying it from you. We hope these tips help you sell more on Facebook!