How do I buy something on the Marketplace on Facebook?

Buying items on Facebook Marketplace is a great way to find deals on used goods from people in your local community. With over 1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Marketplace gives you access to a huge audience of potential buyers and sellers. This guide will walk you through the process of how to buy items on Facebook Marketplace on desktop or mobile. We’ll cover creating a Facebook account if you don’t already have one, searching for items, contacting sellers, arranging pickup/delivery, making payments, and leaving reviews. With these tips, you’ll be able to find awesome deals in your neighborhood and buy items seamlessly through Marketplace.

Step 1: Create a Facebook account

In order to use Facebook Marketplace, you’ll need to have a Facebook account. If you already have a personal Facebook profile, you can use that to access Marketplace. If not, here are the steps to sign up for a new Facebook account:

Go to www.facebook.com and click “Create New Account” in the top right corner.

Enter your first and last name, mobile number or email, password, birthday, and gender.
Click “Sign Up”.
Facebook will send a confirmation code to your mobile number or email. Enter the confirmation code and you’re all set!

Once your account is created, you can start using Facebook Marketplace right away.

Step 2: Search for items

There are a few ways to search for products you want to buy on Marketplace:

Search bar

Use the search bar at the top of Facebook. Type in keywords related to the type of item you want to buy. For example, “bicycle”, “iphone X”, “kitchen table”, etc. This will show results from Marketplace.

Marketplace tab

On desktop, click the Marketplace tab on the left sidebar. On mobile, tap the Marketplace tab at the bottom. Browse featured listings or categories, or enter a search term.

Location filter

For local pickup items, filter by entering your city, state, or zip code. You can also adjust the distance radius.

Refine filters

Use filters like price, item condition, seller rating, shipping options, and more. This helps drill down to exactly the product you’re looking for.

Step 3: Contact the seller

Once you’ve found an item you want to purchase:

Click on the listing to view all the details.

Make sure to read the full description and view all photos.
Click the blue “Contact Seller” button on the listing.
Choose to contact by Messenger, email, or phone. Send the seller a message.

Ask any specific questions about the condition, dimensions, materials, age, etc.
Confirm that the item is still available.
Let the seller know you’d like to buy the item.

Good communication is key to ensuring the transaction goes smoothly. Be responsive in your messaging. If necessary, exchange phone numbers to coordinate pickup logistics.

Step 4: Arrange pickup or delivery

For local transactions, you’ll need to arrange how you’ll get the item. There are a few options:

Pickup

For bulky items or large purchases, you may want to pickup the item yourself.

Confirm the pickup location – usually the seller’s address.
Agree on a mutually convenient pickup time.
The seller may want to see your ID when you arrive.

Inspect the item before taking it to ensure it matches the listing.
Bring help for large, heavy, or fragile items.
Keep pickup quick, simple, and friendly.

Meet in a public place

For small purchases, you can arrange to meet the seller in a public spot. This is recommended for safety and convenience.

Choose somewhere like a coffee shop or store parking lot.
Look for a location that’s easy for both parties to get to.

Agree on an exact meeting spot and time.
Keep the exchange quick. Inspect the item, pay, and be on your way.

Shipping

For sellers located farther away, you’ll need to have the item shipped.

The seller can calculate shipping costs and provide you a total.
You pay the shipping fees along with the item cost.
The seller will pack up and ship the item to you.

Once shipped, the seller sends you a tracking number.
Inspect the item immediately upon delivery before accepting.

Step 5: Pay for the item

Facebook Marketplace offers several ways to securely pay the seller:

Facebook Pay

Facebook’s digital payment system is convenient for a quick transaction.

The seller can send you a payment request through Messenger.
Click Pay to securely process the payment through Facebook.

You’ll receive a receipt confirming payment.

Cash

Cash is a simple payment method for meeting up in person.

Count out the full amount agreed upon.

Hand the seller cash at the time of inspecting the item.
Get a receipt for any cash transaction over $400.
Accept larger bills for big purchases – sellers may not have change.

PayPal

PayPal is a convenient online payment platform.

The seller can request money through PayPal by sending you an invoice.
Log into your PayPal account on desktop or mobile to complete the payment.

PayPal keeps your financial info secure.

Venmo

Venmo is a payment app linked to your bank account.

The seller can request a payment from you through the Venmo app.

Approve the request in the app to transfer funds instantly.
Works great for quick mobile transactions.

Other payment apps

Apps like Zelle, Google Pay, and Apple Pay can also be used securely. Choose whichever payment method is most convenient.

Step 6: Leave a seller review

Once your transaction is complete, we recommend leaving a seller review. This helps future buyers on Marketplace.

Tap “Write a review” on the listing or seller’s profile.
Give the seller 1 to 5 stars.

Leave an honest comment about your experience.
Mention details like product condition, seller communication, and meeting coordination.
Let them know if you had an exceptionally good or bad experience.

This holds sellers accountable for quality transactions.

FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about buying on Facebook Marketplace:

Is Facebook Marketplace safe for buyers?

Facebook Marketplace takes measures to keep transactions secure. Payments happen directly through Facebook, ratings help identify trusted sellers, and you can report issues. However, use common sense precautions like meeting in public and bringing someone with you. Only buy from credible sellers.

What if the item is different than pictured?

Inspect the item closely before paying or taking it. If it’s drastically different than described, politely point out the discrepancies to the seller. If they misrepresented the product, you can leave a negative review. For minor issues, negotiate a partial refund or walk away.

What if I get scammed on Marketplace?

If you think you’ve been scammed, report the seller to Facebook immediately. Provide evidence like your conversation history. Facebook will investigate and take action against dishonest sellers. You can get refunds for payments made through Facebook. Learn to recognize scams – if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Can I negotiate prices on Marketplace?

Definitely! Sellers expect buyers to negotiate and haggle respectfully on Marketplace. Offer 10-20% below the listing price, especially if the product shows wear and tear. Point out flaws to justify a lower offer. See if they will bundle multiple items. Just avoid lowball offers – those are unlikely to get a response.

How do I communicate with sellers?

Use Facebook Messenger to message sellers directly from the listing or their profile. Confirm all pickup details over Messenger. Exchange phone numbers to coordinate meetups. If contacting through email, ask for their contact info in a Facebook message. Avoid communicating outside of Facebook until completing the transaction.

Conclusion

Facebook Marketplace makes it easy to score great deals right in your area. Follow this guide to create an account, search for items, contact sellers, arrange delivery, make secure payments, and leave feedback. With some savvy negotiating skills and basic precautions, you can get awesome deals on secondhand goods on Marketplace. Happy shopping!