What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a feature within Facebook that allows users to buy and sell items locally. It was launched in 2016 as a rival to sites like Craigslist, eBay and Facebook’s own Buy and Sell Groups.
Marketplace makes use of Facebook’s extensive user base – there are over 2 billion monthly active Facebook users worldwide – allowing buyers and sellers to connect easily. Everything listed on Marketplace must be legal and allowed by Facebook’s Commerce Policies.
Who can use Facebook Marketplace?
Any Facebook user aged 18 or over can use Marketplace. You don’t need to have a Facebook Shop or business account. All you need is a regular personal Facebook profile.
Marketplace is available as either a tab or an option within the Facebook mobile app. It can also be accessed on the desktop version of Facebook, but works best through the mobile app.
How to list an item for sale on Marketplace
Listing an item on Marketplace is quick and easy:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device and tap on Marketplace at the bottom.
- Tap on the blue “Sell Something” button.
- Choose a category for your item e.g. vehicles, furniture, clothing etc. Tap on the most relevant category.
- Add photos and details of your item. Make sure to include important information like the condition, brand, size, age etc. The more detail you include the better.
- Enter a price for your item. You can choose to have buyers send offers instead of listing a firm price.
- Select whether you will ship the item or if pickup is required. If shipping, enter your zip code to calculate shipping costs.
- Choose a location for your item. This should be your local area to facilitate collection/shipping.
- Tap “Post” to list your item. It will now appear in Marketplace and be visible to local buyers.
The great thing about Marketplace is you don’t pay any listing fees. You can create listings and make sales completely free of charge.
Tips for creating a good Marketplace listing
Follow these tips for making your Marketplace listings appealing to buyers:
- Use an eye-catching title – Include key details like brand, condition, size, age etc.
- Write a detailed description – Go beyond just a title and highlight any flaws/damage and specifications.
- Post plenty of photos – Get the item in clear, natural light and snap pics from all angles.
- Price fairly – Research similar listings to gauge the right price level for your local market.
- Respond promptly – Answer buyer queries and negotiation offers in a timely manner.
- Be flexible – Consider delivery/shipping if buyers don’t have transport.
Choose listings with plenty of detail and photos and fair pricing to attract the most interest.
How does Facebook Marketplace payment work?
Facebook Marketplace itself does not process payments. All transactions are between individual buyers and sellers. There are a few options for how to accept payment:
Cash – The most popular payment method is cash on collection/delivery. This avoids fees but does not offer buyer/seller protection.
Facebook Pay – This is Facebook’s digital payment system. It allows goods to be paid for directly through the app and offers some protection.
External apps – Apps like PayPal, Venmo and Square Cash can be used to accept payment. These offer additional security features.
Payment terms should be agreed before sale. Some sellers ask for deposits in advance. Accepting digital payment methods expands your pool of potential buyers.
Marketplace seller protection
Facebook themselves do not offer any guarantee or protection for payments. Transactions are at the buyer and seller’s own risk. However, there are steps you can take to stay secure:
- Meet in a safe public place for exchanges.
- Avoid buyers who want to pay more than the list price.
- Do not ship items – only agree to local pickup.
- Take measures to verify a buyer’s identity beforehand.
- Use a digital payment service that offers purchase protection.
- Trust your instincts – if you feel uneasy about a buyer, cancel the sale.
Exercising caution with buyers you don’t know will help avoid scams or difficult situations. Consider bringing a friend along to any meetups.
How to communicate with buyers on Marketplace
There are a couple of options for communicating with prospective buyers about your listings:
Facebook Messenger – When you receive an inquiry or offer on a listing, you can message the buyer through Messenger to discuss details.
Text/calls – To take communication off Facebook, you can choose to provide your number to serious buyers to arrange pickup, payment etc via text or calls. Avoid sharing your number publicly.
Email – Sharing an email address is another way to discuss a transaction off of Facebook Messenger.
Keep communication on Messenger until you have vetted a buyer and are ready to finalize pickup/payment arrangements. Avoid going off the platform too soon.
How to handle negotiations on Marketplace
Buyers may submit offers lower than your listing price. Here are some tips for negotiating:
- Set prices slightly above your minimum acceptable amount to allow for offers.
- Counter unreasonable offers with a price barely under your list price.
- Reference details like condition and brand to justify your price.
- Avoid haggling back and forth more than 2-3 times.
- Be willing to compromise once you receive a reasonable offer.
- Remember there are other buyers if you can’t agree on price.
Stay polite and firm during negotiations. Stick close to your minimum price and don’t be afraid to let buyers walk away from extreme lowball offers.
How does the Local pickup process work?
Most Marketplace transactions involve the buyer collecting the item from the seller. Here are some tips for local pickup:
- Choose a public meeting place like a shopping mall or gas station.
- Do pickup during the day and bring a friend if possible.
- Confirm the pickup time, location and buyer’s name/number beforehand.
- Ensure the buyer inspects the item before exchanging payment.
- Count cash payments carefully before handing over the item.
- Keep communication open until pickup is completed.
The buyer and seller are responsible for organizing pickup logistics themselves. Choose a convenient public spot and keep safety top of mind.
How does Facebook Marketplace shipping work?
Facebook Marketplace does not directly manage shipping, but sellers can arrange delivery in a few ways:
Buyer pickup and shipping – The buyer pays for and arranges their own shipping company to collect the item.
Seller ships item – The seller can opt to package and ship the item directly using a preferred courier.
Facebook Shipping – In eligible locations, Facebook Shipping allows sellers to arrange prepaid shipping labels.
Regardless of method, clearly communicate who will handle shipping and confirm tracking/delivery. Shipping expands your audience but has risks like package lost/damage.
Best practices for selling successfully on Marketplace
Follow these best practices to improve your chances of making sales:
- Price fairly based on local market rates
- Respond to inquiries within 24 hours
- Provide plenty of photos and item details
- Offer flexible pickup/delivery options
- Only bump unresponsive listings once a week
- Negotiate reasonably and stay firm on price
- Meet buyers in public daylight locations
- Leave feedback on whether transactions went smoothly
Listing competitively, promoting responsiveness and flexibility, and focusing on secure transactions will help you sell successfully.
Tips for staying safe when selling on Marketplace
Selling online does carry some risks. Keep these safety tips in mind:
- Do not provide your address – meet in public places only
- Check buyer profiles carefully before engaging
- Avoid buyers who request to pay off platform
- Do not ship items – arrange pickup only
- Never accept overpayment offers
- Tell friends/family where you are meeting buyers
- Back out of any transactions that seem suspicious
- Trust your instincts – if it seems unsafe, walk away
Exercising caution around where/when you meet unknown buyers and being wary of shady behavior will help you stay secure.
Pros of selling on Facebook Marketplace
There are many benefits to using Facebook Marketplace compared to other platforms:
Huge existing audience – You can tap into hundreds of millions of Facebook users instantly.
Zero selling fees – Facebook does not charge any listing, transaction or selling fees.
Local buyers – Listings are visible primarily to local buyers for easier exchanges.
Familiar interface – Facebook’s interface and messaging are intuitive for most people.
Streamlined listings – The listing process is quick and easy through mobile.
Negotiation capable – Buyers can submit offers and negotiate pricing.
For individual and casual sellers, Marketplace provides an enormous selling opportunity completely free of charge.
Cons of selling on Facebook Marketplace
There are also some potential drawbacks of Marketplace to be aware of:
No seller or buyer protection – Facebook does not guarantee payments or regulate issues.
Limited search and filters – Buyers cannot easily narrow down searches.
Duplicates and irrelevant listings – Listings are not strictly moderated for quality/accuracy.
Low listing longevity – Listings get buried quickly as new items are posted.
Hard to stand out – High competition and inefficient sorting makes it hard for posts to get noticed.
Scams and unsafe buyers – Lack of vetting makes scams more common.
For pros, full featured e-commerce platforms may provide more sales tools and protections. Casual sellers need to exercise caution and smart practices to stay secure.
Is selling on Facebook Marketplace right for you?
Facebook Marketplace is best suited to individual and casual sellers looking for an easy way to connect with local buyers. Some key questions to consider:
- Do you have quality used goods to sell locally?
- Are you comfortable meeting strangers in-person for exchanges?
- Can you deliver excellent customer service via messaging?
- Do you have time to monitor listings and respond promptly?
- Will you exercise good judgment on buyer vetting and safety?
For anyone looking to declutter quality items or make some extra money peer-to-peer, Marketplace provides an accessible selling channel. Those wanting more structure, fees, and protections may prefer formal e-commerce platforms.
Selling limits and restrictions
Facebook does place some limits around selling on Marketplace:
5 active listings per item type – You can only have up to 5 active listings for the same product category.
100 total active listings – Each seller can have a maximum of 100 total active listings at one time.
$10,000 value limit – Facebook prohibits listings with a value over $10,000. High-value items are too risky.
Prohibited items – Certain categories like alcohol, firearms, adult content etc. cannot be sold.
These limits aim to maintain Marketplace as a peer-to-peer platform, rather than a replacement for dedicated e-commerce sites.
Alternatives to Facebook Marketplace
While Facebook Marketplace has many perks, it’s not the only option. Some popular alternatives include:
Craigslist – The long-standing classifieds site has local listings in many geographic markets.
OfferUp – Mobile marketplace app with strong buyer/seller protections built in.
eBay – For wider reach beyond local buyers, eBay provides seller tools and security.
Etsy – A top choice for crafters, artisans and vintage sellers to set up shop.
Poshmark – Leading social commerce app for buying/selling new and used clothing.
Letgo – Another general mobile marketplace where local sellers list goods.
The platform that is best aligns with your items, preferences, and target audience.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace brings the convenience of peer-to-peer e-commerce to the platform’s vast built-in audience. For individual and casual sellers, it provides an easy, low-friction way to unload quality used goods locally. While professional sellers and high-value items may be better suited to dedicated e-commerce sites, Marketplace offers an accessible selling channel for the average Facebook user looking to make some spare cash. Exercising sound judgment on buyer interactions, payments, and safety makes selling successfully possible. Overall, Facebook Marketplace facilitates decentralized local commerce, but requires sellers take responsibility for risk management.