Facebook Marketplace can be a great place to find deals on used items, but getting the best prices takes some strategy. Here are some tips on how to negotiate and find bargains on Marketplace.
Do Your Research
Before reaching out to a seller, take some time to research the item and its typical selling price. Search for the item on Marketplace to see what other sellers are asking for similar condition items. Check sites like eBay and Craigslist to get a sense of the overall market price range. This gives you a baseline for what to expect so you can better gauge if a listing is overpriced or underpriced.
Factor in Item Condition
The condition of the item should be a major determining factor in what you’re willing to pay. Is it brand new in the box? Gently used? Well worn? Items that are new or close to new can command higher prices than ones that show more signs of use. Be objective in assessing wear and tear when negotiating.
Make Bundle Offers
If you have your eye on multiple items from a seller, propose buying them together in a bundle. Sellers may be motivated to offer a discount so they can get rid of multiple pieces at once. Just say something like “Would you take $X for items A, B, and C together?” where X is 10-20% less than the combined individual prices.
Ask About Discounts for Quick Pickup
Since Marketplace favors local pickup over shipping, you may be able to get a seller to knock a few dollars off the price if you can coordinate a meetup and pickup quickly. Messages like “I can come pickup and pay in cash today, would you take $Y?” can work in your favor.
Negotiate Nicely
Lowball offers may tempt sellers to simply ignore you. Make reasonable counteroffers based on your research, say things like “Thank you for considering my offer” if they decline, and build some rapport. If a price is firm, ask about bundling or pickup discounts instead of haggling further.
Pay Promptly and Politely
When you do agree on a price, pay as soon as possible and be polite at pickup. This builds goodwill and the seller may reach out to you first the next time they are selling something. Being a reliable buyer earns you referrals and repeat discounts.
Follow and Share
Follow sellers you’ve had good experiences with and share or like their listings periodically. This keeps you top of mind for deals. You can also post “ISO (in search of) X item for $Y” to your timeline and have sellers reach out to you.
Check Listings Frequently
Marketplace moves fast, with inventory constantly changing. Items priced low go fast, so check the app daily or set up alerts for searches. Being among the first to message on a new listing can give you an advantage.
Look for Desperate Sellers
Keep an eye out for people who seem eager or desperate to sell, like someone moving in 2 days or parents getting rid of baby items. Their circumstances may motivate them to accept lower offers so they can sell quickly.
Buy and Resell
Another approach is to buy inexpensive items you know are underpriced, then clean/repair and relist them for a profit. It takes more time and effort but buying low and selling high consistently can become a solid side business.
Join Local Facebook Sale Groups
Search for buy/sell groups specific to your city or neighborhood and join them. These hyperlocal groups often have deals not posted publicly. You can also post ISO (in search of) listings.
Leverage Facebook Friends
Check the Marketplace activity of your Facebook friends and let them know you’re looking for certain items. Friends may tag you on good listings or sell you items directly before posting publicly.
Conclusion
With the right strategies, you can consistently find great deals and bargaining opportunities on Facebook Marketplace. Do your homework, make reasonable offers, build relationships with sellers, and pounce on good listings quickly. With some time and effort, you can furnish your home, fill your closet, and find enviable deals on Marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some tips for negotiating a better price on Marketplace?
Tips for negotiating a better price include:
- Research prices for similar items to establish a fair price range
- Point out any flaws or wear to justify a lower offer
- Make bundle offers when buying multiple items
- Ask for a discount for quick pickup or cash payment
- Politely counteroffer below the asking price
- Build rapport and repeat business with sellers
How can I find hidden gem deals on Marketplace?
Ways to find great hidden deals include:
- Browsing frequently as new deals come and go quickly
- Looking for people moving or urgently selling
- Searching buy/sell groups specific to your area
- Letting Facebook friends know what you’re looking for
- Looking for misspelled or poorly tagged items
What are indicators that a Marketplace listing may be overpriced?
Signals that a listing could be overpriced include:
- Similar items selling for much less
- The item has been posted for a long time
- There are many other active listings for this item
- The item has cosmetic flaws or damage
- The seller seems inflexible on price
Should I make an offer publicly or through a private message?
It’s generally better to negotiate pricing privately through a message instead of submitting public comments. Keeping offers private prevents other potential buyers from seeing what deals you’re able to negotiate.
What payment methods can I use on Marketplace?
Common payment methods on Facebook Marketplace include:
- Cash
- Venmo or Paypal
- Facebook Pay
- Debit or credit card in person
- Checks in some cases
Cash, Venmo or Facebook Pay are preferred for buyer and seller security. Avoid payments through bank transfer apps like Zelle with people you don’t know.
Marketplace Negotiation Tips By Seller Rating
The strategy you use to negotiate can vary based on the seller’s experience level on Marketplace.
| Seller Rating | Negotiation Tips |
|---|---|
| New Seller | – May be more flexible on pricing because they have no reviews yet – Offer to pickup quickly so they can get first review – Ask for bundle pricing if buying multiple items |
| Less Than 10 Reviews | – Point out any flaws to justify lower offer – Reference prices of similar sold listings – Politely counteroffer below asking price |
| 10-50 Reviews | – Keep negotiation polite and reasonable – Offer to pay cash on pickup – Build rapport for repeat seller relationship |
| 50+ Reviews | – Limited negotiation flexibility -Best price likely already listed -Focus on bundle/pickup deals |
Top-Selling Categories on Marketplace
Some categories tend to have more selling activity than others on Marketplace. Here are some of the most popular:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Furniture | Tables, chairs, couches, beds, dressers |
| Electronics | Phones, laptops, TVs, cameras |
| Appliances | Refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves |
| Home Decor | Lighting, art, rugs, curtains |
| Women’s Clothing | Tops, dresses, skirts, shoes, bags |
| Men’s Clothing | Shirts, pants, jackets, shoes |
| Baby Items | Strollers, clothes, toys, furniture |
Following categories related to your interests can help surface listings for items you may want to buy.
How to Spot Scams on Marketplace
While most sellers are honest, scams do happen. Here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Price seems too good to be true
- Seller requests unusual payment methods like gift cards
- Communication is pushy or urgent about completing transaction
- Listing photos look stolen from other sites
- Seller has no reviews or identity details
- Item location is far away from you
Trust your gut. If an offer seems sketchy, walk away. Stick to reviewers sellers and in-person transactions for high value items.
Conclusion
With some savvy negotiating tactics, strategic browsing, and scam avoidance, you can unlock great deals on Facebook Marketplace. Do your homework on fair value, make reasonable offers, focus on new and motivated sellers, and move quickly on listings priced to sell. With a bit of work, you can find huge savings and bargains across a wide range of items.