Facebook Marketplace has become one of the most popular platforms for buying and selling used goods online. Since its launch in 2016, Marketplace has grown rapidly, with over 1 billion users visiting each month. But what exactly are people buying and selling on Marketplace? Here’s an overview of the most common items found on Facebook Marketplace.
Furniture
One of the top categories on Marketplace is furniture. This includes tables, chairs, couches, beds, dressers, and more. Furniture tends to be bulky and expensive to ship, so it makes sense that people would want to buy and sell used furniture locally through Marketplace. Sellers can upload photos of the furniture and describe any flaws or damage. Buyers can then arrange to pick up the furniture from the seller’s home.
The furniture category includes both indoor and outdoor furniture. Outdoor patio sets, hammocks, grills, and other lawn items are commonly found. For indoor furniture, common listings include living room sets, dining sets, mattresses, and accent chairs. Used office furniture is also prevalent, for those setting up a home office or looking for a budget option.
Electronics
Electronics are another top seller on Marketplace. Common electronic items include cell phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, speakers, smart watches, and televisions. For expensive electronics like smartphones and laptops, many sellers list them on Marketplace after upgrading to a newer model. This allows sellers to recover some costs, while buyers get significant discounts on still-useful tech items.
More short-lived electronics like video game consoles and controllers are also very common. These types of electronics tend to have a limited lifespan before newer versions come out. Facebook Marketplace gives gamers an opportunity to buy and sell used consoles and games locally. Overall, the electronics category provides an affordable way for buyers to stay up to date on personal tech gadgets.
Home Decor and Appliances
From wall art and rugs to lamps and curtains, home decor is widely available on Marketplace. Sellers often list decor items in batches after redecorating their home. Decor tends to be affordable to ship, expanding the possible geographic range of buyers.
Appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, dishwashers, and washing machines also have a strong presence. Major appliances can be expensive to replace, so buyers can save substantially on lightly used models. When people renovate their kitchens, they will often sell appliances in good working order rather than discarding them.
Overall, Marketplace is a go-to option for essential household items. Buyers can outfit their homes with decor and appliances purchased at significant discounts compared to new retail pricing.
Baby/Kid Items
From strollers and cribs to toys and clothes, everything for babies and kids can be found on Marketplace. Parents often accumulate many gently used kid items, which can then be resold to other local parents. Common baby categories include clothes, shoes, toys, books, car seats, high chairs, and nursery furniture.
For kids that are toddlers up to teens, common items include bikes, scooters, clothing, toys, games, sports equipment, and bedroom furniture. Most parents use Marketplace as an affordable way to keep their growing kids equipped with needed items. Then when the kids outgrow items or age out of certain products, they can be sold to recoup costs. The active buying and selling helps parents get the items they need while staying within budget.
Sporting Goods
With people always taking up new sports and activities, sporting goods are heavily bought and sold on Marketplace. Common listings include bicycles, treadmills, weights, skis, snowboards, hockey equipment, tents, fishing gear, and more. Avid athletes use Marketplace as a way to buy and sell used equipment as their needs change.
For example, someone getting into mountain biking can find a good starter bike without paying new retail prices. When they eventually want to upgrade to a better bike, they can then sell their old one. Sporting goods often take up a lot of storage space as well, so people will sell off equipment they no longer use frequently. Marketplace provides an accessible platform to exchange sporting goods items locally.
Breakdown of Buyers and Sellers
Now that we’ve looked at popular item categories, let’s examine some key demographics and trends among Marketplace buyers and sellers:
| Buyers | Sellers |
|---|---|
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A few interesting things stand out from the demographic data:
– Women make up the majority of both buyers and sellers. This matches broader ecommerce trends of women driving online shopping.
– Buyers skew slightly younger, with 55% aged 18-34. These younger buyers are often shopping for budget-friendly deals.
– Sellers tend to be a bit older, with a 45% share aged 35-54. Their motivations tie strongly to earning extra income by selling unused items.
– Families and parents account for 45% of buyers. For sellers, 55% have full-time jobs. So both groups are looking for extra income, convenience, and value.
– Both groups cite the ease and convenience of buying/selling locally as a major benefit. This highlights why Marketplace has become so popular compared to alternatives.
Buyer Motivations
Here are some of the main factors driving buyer activity on Marketplace:
– **Saving money** – Buyers can find significant discounts compared to buying new retail versions of items. Even lightly used items often sell for 50% or more below original prices.
– **Convenience** – With 1 billion active users, it’s easy to find plenty of options for whatever item a buyer may need. No need to visit multiple websites.
– **Support local sellers** – Buyers enjoy supporting individuals and small business owners in their community. Purchases stay local rather than going to big retailers.
– **Unique selection** – Marketplace offers more unique, one-of-a-kind items that shoppers won’t find at major chain stores. Vintage and handmade items are very popular.
– **Same-day pickup** – The instant gratification of buying something today and picking it up within hours is a major perk. No need to wait days or weeks for delivery.
Seller Motivations
And here are some of the main factors driving seller activity on Marketplace:
– **Earn extra income** – Sellers can easily monetize unused possessions to make some extra cash from home. Over 35% report earning $500 or more per month via Marketplace sales.
– **Decluttering** – Listing unused items for sale provides motivation for major decluttering and cleaning projects. Gets rid of clutter while earning money.
– **Convenience** – Easy listing process and local buyers makes selling faster and simpler than alternatives like eBay or Craigslist. Lower hassle overall.
– **Connect with community** – Beyond earning money, sellers enjoy meeting and connecting with buyers in their local community.
– **Creative outlet** – Some sellers use Marketplace as a way to showcase handmade, custom, or repurposed items. Provides a creative business outlet.
Tips for Buyers
For buyers looking to get started and find success purchasing on Marketplace, here are some top tips:
– **Search locally** – Focus searches within no more than 25 miles for the best convenience and value. Delivery fees add up quickly for longer distances.
– **Act fast on deals** – New listings get lots of immediate attention. If you find something priced lower than expected, contact the seller ASAP.
– **Inspect carefully** – Evaluate items closely upon pickup and ask questions about condition. Know the return/exchange policy before purchasing.
– **Meet in public** – For safety and security, arrange pickups in public, high-traffic areas like shopping centers.
– **Pay upon retrieval** – Only complete payment after you have inspected and collected the item. PayPal and Venmo make payment easy.
– **Watch out for scams** – Avoid sellers asking you to pay with prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or other unusual methods.
What to Buy
When looking for the best deals, focus searches on these item types:
– Lightly used electronics – open box or gently used phones, tablets, game consoles, laptops
– Nearly new home appliances – refrigerators, washers, etc from last 1-3 years
– Gently used kids items – toys, clothes, furniture, baby gear outgrown quickly
– Outdoor equipment – sporting goods like bicycles, tents, skis, golf clubs used for 1 season or less
– Furniture under 5 years old – especially solid wood pieces without upholstery/fabrics
What to Avoid
Use caution when considering these item types:
– Mattresses and bedding – difficult to fully sanitize secondhand
– Car seats or bike helmets – safety standards change, may be expired
– Very low-priced collectibles – could be counterfeit or in poor condition
– Clothing and shoes – sizing challenging to judge, often well-worn
– Items missing key information – avoid if no photos, brand, description details
Tips for Sellers
For those looking to sell successfully on Marketplace, here are some top seller tips:
– **Take clear photos** – Use good lighting and multiple angles. Show any defects clearly.
– **Provide details** – Include brand name, dimensions, age and any flaws. More details get more interested buyers.
– **Price competitively** – Research going rates for your items and set prices at fair market value. Price on the lower end to sell faster.
– **Interact helpfully** – Answer buyer questions promptly and politely. Avoid one word responses. Leave ratings for good buyers.
– **Schedule strategically** – Arrange pickups on evenings or weekends when more buyers are available. Offer flexible pickup windows.
– **Meet publicly** – For security, meet in safe public locations like shopping centers or police stations.
– **Get paid securely** – Accept payment only via secure digital options. Avoid cash for expensive items to prevent fraudulent claims.
What Sells Best
These types of items tend to get the most buyer interest and fastest sales:
– Recent model smartphones, tested and wiped
– Solid wood furniture less than 3 years old
– Baby items and children’s toys, excellent condition
– TVs and major appliances less than 2 years old
– Jewelry and watches, excellent or mint condition
– Bicycles and sporting goods, nearly new
What is Harder to Sell
Prepare for longer listing times and lower offers when selling:
– Dated home electronics like printers and non-smartphones
– Worn/damaged furniture with tears, stains or marks
– Stained or ripped baby/kids clothing and gear
– Any items with significant visible wear, damage, or flaws
– Clothing and shoes in less common sizes
– Specialized equipment for niche sports or hobbies
The Marketplace Community
A major part of what makes Marketplace so popular is the community element. Buyers and sellers aren’t just completing transactions, they’re connecting with other locals. Here’s a look at what makes the Marketplace community special:
Personal Relationships
Buyers and sellers communicate directly to arrange pickup, provide item details, and exchange payments. This creates more of a personal, relationship-based experience compared to anonymous retail shopping. Many buyers and sellers report enjoying meeting new people and making connections through transactions.
Local Support
Marketplace transactions keep money within local communities. People take pride in supporting small local entrepreneurs. Both new and long-time residents use Marketplace as a way to quickly furnish homes and find necessities through community connections.
Sharing Economy
The rise of Marketplace represents a cultural shift towards more collaborative consumption. People feel good rehoming quality used items at fair prices within their community. Lower financial and environmental costs compared to constantly buying new.
Unique Finds
Beyond standard goods, people list all kinds of unique, one-of-a-kind items. Vintage collectibles, handmade crafts, custom goods, and rare finds create a thrilling “treasure hunt” feeling for buyers. A wider selection than retail stores.
Two-Way Rating System
The ability for buyers and sellers to rate each other helps promote trust and accountability within the community. Helps weed out bad actors.
The Marketplace Market
Let’s take a data-driven look at exactly how big the Marketplace marketplace has become:
| Metric | Growth Statistic |
|---|---|
| Monthly active users | Over 1 billion currently |
| Active listings | Over 1 billion active listings per month |
| Transactions annually | Projected over 200 million in 2022 |
| Average sale price | $40-$60 range |
| Categories | Over 20 major categories, including housing rentals |
| Reviews and ratings | 2+ billion ratings and reviews |
A few key takeaways:
– At over 1 billion monthly users, Marketplace has truly reached critical mass. It is among the most visited online platforms.
– Listings and transactions are growing exponentially, generating a massive secondary resale market.
– The average sale price remains attractive to budget-conscious buyers, typically $40-$60 per item. Lower cost than retail.
– Categories continue expanding beyond physical goods into services, housing, and more.
– Robust community content like ratings and reviews promotes trust and accountability.
The tremendous scale and continued growth forecasts a bright future for Facebook Marketplace. It has fundamentally changed how people buy and sell locally online.
Future Outlook
What might the future look like for Marketplace in the coming years? Here are a few potential developments:
More Product Categories
Marketplace has already expanded to include housing rentals, services, and other non-physical item categories. This diversification could continue into other areas like automotive, professional services, vacation rentals, and potentially even groceries.
Expanded Local Delivery
Some users already offer delivery within their city or region for an added fee. Facebook may look to formalize and expand a local delivery option to make buying/selling even more convenient.
Live Video Shopping
Live streamed shopping videos have become very popular in China and could emerge on Marketplace. Sellers could showcase items in real-time to interested buyers.
Digital Payments Integration
Tighter integration of Marketplace payment processes with Meta’s Novi digital wallet or Diem cryptocurrency initiatives could provide new commerce options.
Enhanced Safety Features
Additional buyer/seller verification requirements, improved community monitoring, and protections against fraud or unsafe meetups would help boost trust and security.
The massive scale of Marketplace provides a built-in audience for Meta to test innovative ecommerce concepts. More developments will emerge as online local retail continues evolving.
Conclusion
In just a few short years, Facebook Marketplace has become one of the premier local online shopping destinations. It brings the convenience of ecommerce into local communities. Buyers can find great deals on almost anything, while sellers earn extra income and declutter.
Furniture, electronics, home goods, baby items, and sporting equipment are among the hottest categories. Both buyers and sellers appreciate the personal connections, unique selection, and sense of community. As Marketplace continues growing, it will be exciting to see what new developments emerge in this sphere of hyperlocal secondhand commerce.