When it comes to selling stuff online, the Facebook Marketplace is one of the most popular marketplaces out there.
This local selling site makes it easy to find local buyers for cash sales. So, you don't have to deal with the hassles of shipping things and expensive online sales fees.
It's also an excellent way for homeowners to clear out their homes while making a quick buck. However, there are numerous tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace you should know to maximize your chances for success.
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Tips For Selling On Facebook Marketplace
Selling on Facebook is fast and free. But it's also a large marketplace with plenty of competitors and a bit of a learning curve.
If you want to maximize your chances to make a sale, here are some useful Facebook Marketplace tips you can keep in mind when creating and managing your listings.
1. Upload Quality Photos
One of the best tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace is to upload numerous, high-quality photos of whatever you're selling.
Buyers want to know as much information as possible about what you're selling, especially if it's something expensive like furniture or tech. Some good photos to take of your merchandise include:
- Images from all angles including front, back and sides.
- If you are selling clothing, take a photo of the clothing tag to show size and manufacturer.
- When photographing shoes, show an image of the soles so that the buyers can determine the level of wear.
- Images need to be bright and well lit. If your home is dark, consider photographing your items outdoors on a sunny day.
- If your item has any damage, include close ups so that buyers can take that into consideration.
- When possible, take photos in front of a background such as a wall or door. You want to avoid including other unnecessary items in the image and keep your shots clear of clutter.
While you want most items to be your own images of the actual item, in the case of furniture, home furnishings, or other popular manufactured items, it's OK to include an image or two from a sales website such as Amazon. These images can be particularly helpful if they show important product details such as dimensions.
2. Write Detailed Descriptions
When you want to make money online selling items, descriptions are extremely important. You want to include as many details as possible to help make the sale, and to minimize questions that any potential buyers might have.
Here are some important details to include in your Facebook Marketplace description:
- Item details
- Manufacturer
- Brand
- Model number (if applicable)
- Measurements (extremely important in furniture and large items)
- Conditions include new, like new, fair, as is, or poor
- Details on any damage or flaws
- Whether your home is pet free and / or smoke free (these are VERY important to some buyers)
The listing above of someone selling shoes is a great example. The seller mentions why they're selling, side, condition, and brand.
Also, being honest helps you attract the right buyers and avoid wasting time meeting buyers who may reject the final sale due to conditions.
3. Check Competitor’s Prices
One of my top tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace is to price competitively.
Online marketplaces are ideal for competitive shopping. This helps buyers get the best price possible, and as a seller, you want to keep your pricing close to or slightly less than similar items that are on the market. If your price is too high, your item may go unsold.
So where do you start with pricing if there is nothing similar for sale in your area?
A good guideline is to start at 50% or less than the original retail store price. When in doubt, lower is always better, especially if you really want to sell items quickly.
Also note that not all items sell quickly. You might have to repost some items for sale more than once, especially on rare or more niche items. In this circumstance, re-post every two weeks and consider dropping your price slightly to help encourage a sale.
4. Sell Popular Products
Another simple Facebook Marketplace tip for sellers is to sell more popular products on the marketplace.
You can sell almost anything on FB Marketplace. However, very niche collectibles like antiques, rare coins, sports cards, and other niche items are often easier to sell on eBay or specific Facebook groups, not the general market.
Some of the top selling items on Facebook Marketplace include:
- Apparel
- Baby supplies
- Beauty products
- Books
- Electronics
- Home goods
- Jewelry
- Sports equipment
- Tools
- Toys
- Used bikes
- Vehicles
- Watches
If you stick with items in these types of categories, especially brand-name ones, you should be able to make some quick sales.
You can also read our post on the best things to sell for money for some ideas on easy things to sell.
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5. Respond To Buyers Quickly
We live in a digital world and most individuals who are shopping online are looking for instant answers and to purchase quickly.
If you get inquiries on your item that is for sale, be sure to respond ASAP. If you fail to respond, your buyer may get impatient and move on, which can cost you the sale.
In my experience, turning on notifications is the best way to have quick response times when selling on Facebook Marketplace.
6. List On Other Marketplaces
While this Facebook Marketplace selling tip might surprise you, sometimes, cross listing your items for sale on several marketplaces is the best way to get a sale.
There are also plenty of apps like Facebook Marketplace you can sell on, including:
- Craigslist: Another popular and free classifieds website.
- eBay: A great way to sell more niche items online.
- OfferUp: Another free app like FB Marketplace where you can sell almost anything.
- Poshmark: One of the most popular platforms for selling apparel, handbags, sneakers, and watches.
If the item you're selling is something you are willing to ship, you can also try to post a sales listing in some of the specialty buy and sell groups. For example there are groups for book collectors, comic and pop culture collectors, parents groups who are buying baby and children’s items and more.
Extra Reading – OfferUp vs Facebook Marketplace.
7. Negotiate With Buyers
As a veteran seller on Facebook Marketplace, one of my top tips to sell on Facebook is to be willing to negotiate.
Much like at a flea market or garage sale, shoppers here are going to be looking for the best price, and are very likely to ask you for your best deal.
When setting your price on Facebook, consider your lowest price that you might accept, and price your item slightly more than that to give you a bit of wiggle room in negotiation.
If you're selling something at the absolute lowest price, make it clear in the sale listing that your price isn't negotiable. And if you're open to offers and just want a fast sale, include “OBO” with the posting so that buyers know that you're accepting the best offer.
8. Use Search Tags
If you’ve ever used a hashtag, you know how important it can be to find exactly what you’re looking for. Search tags on Facebook Marketplace work much the same way!
When posting your listing, first make sure that your item for sale is in the right category. Then, add search tags to help provide more details and help buyers find your listing. Things like “new”, “clothing”, “vintage”, “collectible” can help bring buyers to your listing.
The video above provides a quick overview of how to add tags on Facebook Marketplace if you need guidance.
You can use up to 20 total tags on each Facebook Marketplace listing, so add in a few that make sense.
9. Offer Delivery
Not everyone has access to a truck or trailer, and if you live in a large urban city, not everyone even has a vehicle.
If you're selling large items on Facebook Marketplace, and are able to transport the item, consider offering delivery as part of the package or for a small additional price. Offering this service might just help you close your sale and will definitely open the door to more potential buyers.
10. Watch Out For Facebook Marketplace Scams
Another basic tip for selling on Facebook Marketplace is to watch out for scammers. And, unfortunately, there are quite a few scammers out there that try to swindle sellers.
Some popular scams on Facebook Marketplace include:
- Phishing scams
- People asking you to ship your items before paying you
- People sending checks that will bounce and then asking you for a refund
- People asking for your phone number or personal information
- People trying to pay you with weird online payment methods
One important thing to note in these Facebook Marketplace selling tips is that you want to collect payment before giving the buyer the item. This keeps them from driving off without paying or refusing to pay for the item.
I’ve also had buyers promise to send me the money later, but want the merchandise right now. If they don't pay, don't give them the items, even if they swear they will send payment soon.
While most Facebook Marketplace transactions are cash, it is now also common to accept PayPal money, CashApp and Venmo. I personally would avoid accepting payments in gift cards since these are often scams and it can be difficult sometimes to verify the value.
Extra Reading – What Can I Sell For $1,000?
11. Meet In Public
Safety matters and whenever possible when buying and selling items online, it’s always best to meet in a public place.
My husband and I often meet buyers in the parking lot of a gas station or popular store. We park near the street and give the buyer a description of our vehicle so that we are easy to find.
Many communities even have designated swap sites such as libraries, police stations, and other public places.
While we’ve never had an issue, it doesn’t hurt to pick somewhere that is well lit and certain to have security cameras, just in case. It also doesn’t hurt to take a friend with you and to meet during daylight hours when possible.
Selling a large item that buyers will need to pick up at your home? If possible, consider moving the item to your driveway or even your garage to keep strangers from having to come inside your home. When selling my son’s bunk bed, we moved it to our garage and then just opened the garage door when the buyer came to pick it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Safest Way To Accept Payment On Facebook Marketplace?
Cash is the safest payment method to accept on Facebook Marketplace. Many people now accept PayPal, Venmo, and Cash App as well. However, you have to ensure the money is actually in your account before handing over your merchandise.
Is It Worth Selling On Facebook Marketplace?
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is worth it if you want quick cash sales and don't want to worry about online selling fees. It's also worth it for bulky items that would be too costly to ship. However, managing multiple listings and responding to buyers can take time and patience, so keep this in mind.
How Do I Know If A Buyer Is Legit On Facebook Marketplace?
Legit buyers generally have complete profiles that don't look like bots. They also use Facebook's built-in messenger to communicate with you and don't ask for your phone number or a lot of personal information.
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Should I Accept Venmo On Facebook Marketplace?
You can accept Venmo on Facebook Marketplace. But never ship or give away your items until you confirm that you've actually been paid. Personally, I think cash is best since it keeps things simple.
Should I Give Out My Phone Number On Facebook Marketplace?
No, you shouldn't give out your phone number on Facebook Marketplace. Buyers can contact you with Facebook Messenger to ask questions, negotiate, and to arrange a meet-up. If people keep asking for your phone number, they might be trying to scam you or phish for information.
Final Thoughts
I hope this list of tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace helps you make some quick cash while getting rid of some unused items around your home.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace can often be quick and easy. Most individuals are honest and friendly. You can easily conduct your business directly through Facebook messenger, meet with the item and get paid.
While there are occasionally scammers, most people you will meet from Marketplace are good people looking to save money. Most of the time your transactions will be completed problem free, however always use caution and common sense anytime you are dealing with strangers online.
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