10 tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace

Whether you sell on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Garage sale sites, consignment sales, or an old fashion yard sale, here are my top tips for selling your stuff for a pretty penny. It’s never been easier to get a little bit out of that used sofa, old end table, or refrigerator. I am a firm believer you should always try to sell the old when replacing with new. Unless you can fill a need for someone, then give it away!

I’ve sold some odd things on Craigslist and FB Marketplace (my preferred methods). My husband always scoffs at me when I say, “Wait, don’t throw that away! Let me try to sell it on CL or FBM first.” Every time he thinks it’s silly and then every time I sell it. With one exception, I gave an ugly broken aluminum storm door away for free. Even then it saved me money from taking it to the dump. You never know, your trash may be someone else’s treasure. I know I’ve bought a few of those treasures before! Here’s a few thing I always do before selling or what I look at when I’m buying:

1. Clean your item. Nothing turns me off faster that reading “all it needs is a good cleaning.” If it is so easy to clean, go get a cloth and a bucket of soapy water and clean it.
2. Fix any simple problems. Tighten that screw, put the drawer back on its rail, or just take the broken fridge drawer out. A broken item is not worth as much to me.
3. Take clear pictures. I can assume 99% of people have access to a nice camera, probably in your phone. Wipe off the smudge from your lens, get it under some light, (natural sunlight is the best) and steady your camera. If it’s blurry, delete it and try again.
4. Take pictures of all angles. Take pictures of all sides, inside and out. People may be driving from across town and if they find something they weren’t expecting, they will either be wasting your time and leave, or offer you a lot less.
5. Take pictures that do not include your pet or pet accessories. I know you think you have the cutest pet ever, but I don’t want to see your big hairy cat or dog sitting on the table or chair I am looking at buying. No thank you. That goes for the litter box too.
6. Include all the details. Dimensions, model #, price, firmness on price, contact method, and anything that I can use to picture that cute table in my kitchen or living room. Unless it’s EXACTLY something I’m looking for and for a great price, I do not like bugging someone for basic details. They usually tell me to wait until they get home, and then they never actually give me the info I need.
7. Be realistic on price. You are not selling from a store with a return policy, do not expect full price. Even if its “New in Box”. I don’t know you, and honestly just because you tell me it worked 3 months ago when it was last plugged in or never used, I’m still taking a chance this will be a lemon when I get home. Also if you think you have a rare antique, then EBay it.
8. Keep your item together or working.  Keep it together or plugged in if at all possible. A known working item is worth so much more than a “buyer beware” special that may not power on or may have missing pieces. If it does have problems, you better be selling it dirt cheap, but not dirty see #1.
9. Expect to get a lower offer. Unless you are super firm on the price, which you should boldly put in your ad (unless you skipped 1-8 then expect no offers), expect a lower offer. Everyone wants a great deal, so expect to wiggle a bit on your price. Giving someone $5-$10 off may seal the deal, so put that in your price.
10. Give yourself some time. If you have an item in good condition, desirable, great pictures and description, it may take time to find the right person searching for it. Try not to put yourself in a pickle by posting “must sell today, moving, and can’t take it.” That is a green flag for low-ballers. And be prepared to lower your price after not seeing any interest. You may need to drop your price just a bit till it sells.

I hope these tips help you next time you sell your junk! Nothing makes me happier than getting a few bucks from something so I can replace it with someone else’s junk! And occasionally I might spring for something new! Happy selling!