Facebook Marketplace is a convenient platform that allows Facebook users to buy and sell items locally. With over 1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Marketplace gives sellers access to a huge audience of potential buyers. As a buyer, Marketplace makes it easy to find great deals on used items in your local area. Browsing and searching for items on Marketplace is simple and intuitive. Here is a step-by-step guide to browsing on Facebook Marketplace.
Sign Up for a Facebook Account
To access Facebook Marketplace, you first need to have a Facebook account. If you don’t already have one, visit Facebook.com and click “Create New Account.” Follow the prompts to sign up for a free Facebook account using your name, email address, and password. You also need to provide your birthday and gender. Make sure to agree to Facebook’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy during signup.
Access the Marketplace
Once you have a Facebook account, you can access Marketplace in a few different ways:
- On Desktop: Click the Marketplace shortcut in the left menu bar
- In the Facebook App: Tap the Menu icon ≡ and choose Marketplace
- Visit Facebook.com/marketplace directly
Set Your Location
One of the key features of Facebook Marketplace is finding items located near you. So the first thing you’ll want to do is set your location. On desktop, simply click on the location link at the top of the Marketplace page and type in your city. In the mobile app, tap the ≡ menu icon and choose “Set Location.” Enable location access if prompted so Facebook can pinpoint your current city.
Browse Recommendations
When you first open Marketplace, you’ll see recommendations based on your location and Facebook activity. These recommendations make it easy to browse items that may be relevant to your interests. Scroll down to see recommended listings for categories like vehicles, furniture, electronics, and more.
Search for Keywords
To look for specific items, use the search bar at the top of the Marketplace page. For example, you can search for “bike” or “sofa” to find local listings matching those keywords. Narrow your search further by including the type, brand, color, or other descriptors. Such as “red mountain bike” or “black leather sofa.”
Filter Your Results
To filter your Marketplace browsing, select the Filters link underneath the search bar. Here you can filter by:
- Category – Vehicle, Housing, For Sale, Jobs, etc.
- Price range
- Location
- Date posted
Filtering by category and price range will help narrow your results to the most relevant matches. You can also sort your results by distance, newest, lowest price, and more.
Refine Location
For an even more targeted browsing experience, you can refine your location beyond just city-level. On desktop, click the location link at the top and enter a specific neighborhood, street, or zip code. In the app, pull up your profile, tap “Add Location” and search for a specific area. This will tailor Marketplace results to listings in that vicinity.
Follow Specific Sellers
If there is a seller on Marketplace who posts great deals frequently, you can follow their listings. When browsing a seller’s items, tap the Follow button on their profile. You’ll then see notifications when that seller posts new items for sale.
Save Listings
As you browse, save any items you may want to purchase later. Tap the Save icon on a listing to add it to your Saved list. You can access your Saved items from the Menu ≡ icon > Saved. This makes it easy to revisit listings.
Turn on Alerts
Get notified when new items matching your interests are posted in your area. Tap the bell icon in the upper right and turn on alerts for specific keywords or categories. For example, turn on alerts for “mountain bike” to receive notifications about new bike listings.
Contact Sellers
Once you find an interesting listing, tap on it to view the full details. You’ll see the seller’s profile, photos, description, price, and condition. To learn more or make an offer, tap the blue Message button to contact the seller directly via Facebook Messenger.
Meet Up Locally
If you connect with a seller and agree to purchase an item, Marketplace makes it simple to arrange a local pickup. Click “Confirm Pickup Location” to share your locations and coordinate a meetup. Always meet in a safe public place like a cafe parking lot.
Complete Your Transaction
For security, only pay and exchange goods in person at your meetup. Avoid wire transfers, checks, or shipping. Thoroughly inspect the item before paying. Count money carefully or use secure digital payment. Once you’ve received the item as promised, the transaction is complete!
Leave Feedback
After your meetup, consider leaving feedback about your experience with the seller. This helps future buyers know they are trustworthy. Provide a star rating and brief review describing your transaction.
How to Stay Safe
While Facebook Marketplace offers convenience connecting local buyers and sellers, always be cautious when transacting:
- Meet in a busy public setting during the day
- Bring someone with you or let a friend know where you’re going
- Don’t go to a second location after meeting
- Trust your instincts – if it seems sketchy, don’t complete the sale
- Inspect items closely before exchanging money
Top Tips for Buyers
Here are some top tips for finding great deals and staying safe as a buyer on Facebook Marketplace:
- Search using exact keywords of what you want, like “Pokémon cards” or “IKEA dresser”
- Filter by newly posted items to get the latest listings
- Compare prices across sellers to find the best deal
- Always check items carefully before purchasing
- Test electronics fully before paying
- Meet in a public place like a coffee shop parking lot
- Avoid buying expensive items from new sellers with no reviews
- Pay in cash or a secure digital method – never wire money or pay in advance
- Trust your gut feeling – if a listing seems fishy, move on
Top Tips for Sellers
If you’re looking to sell your used items on Facebook Marketplace, these tips will help you earn great reviews and repeat business:
- Take high-quality photos with good lighting to show off your item
- Write detailed descriptions noting dimensions, defects, age, etc.
- Price items competitively based on local market rates
- Respond promptly to buyer inquiries and questions
- Meet local buyers in a safe public setting like a cafe parking lot
- Bring a friend or family member to meetups for transactions
- Accept cash, Venmo, PayPal, etc. Avoid checks or money orders
- Leave feedback for buyers after successful transactions
- Create listings for multiple items to maximize visibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Facebook Marketplace free to use?
Yes, Facebook Marketplace is completely free for both buyers and sellers. There are no listing fees, transaction fees or commissions on sales.
Is Marketplace safe for meeting strangers?
Marketplace can be safe if you take precautions. Meet in a public place, bring someone with you, and trust your instincts. Avoid going to second locations with a stranger.
Can you negotiate prices on Marketplace?
Absolutely. Haggling is expected on Marketplace. Contact the seller with a counteroffer lower than the listing price. See if you can agree on a discounted price.
What payment methods can you use?
It’s safest to pay cash upon carefully inspecting the item. You can also use PayPal, Venmo, Facebook Pay, Apple Pay, etc. Avoid checks, wire transfers or paying in advance.
Are Facebook Marketplace sellers verified?
No, sellers are regular Facebook users so be cautious. Review their profile, reviews, and communications before meeting. Proceed with caution, especially with expensive items.
Can you report bad sellers?
Yes, click the ≡ menu next to a listing and choose Report. Or go to facebook.com/report to report any harassment, fraud, or safety issues.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace makes buying and selling locally quick and convenient. As a buyer, take advantage of robust browsing, searching, and filtering to find great deals in your area. Make sure to meet up safely when completing transactions. For sellers, Marketplace provides access to an enormous pool of potential buyers. Price competitively, take great photos, and provide detailed descriptions to move your items quickly. Now you know how to browse Marketplace like a pro, so you can start finding awesome scores in your neighborhood!