Wife and I are downsizing, and finding things that have value but we no longer need.

I have been told that FaceBook MarketPlace is a much better venue for selling stuff than CraigsList or eBay.

I do not have a FaceBook account and know nothing about the MarketPlace, so I'm looking for information from any of y'all who have actually used this -- would appreciate anything that you care to share, re the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Daughters sell stuff on it all the time, one does quite a bit, as her kids have grown, she sells the older kids playthings, etc.

She has bought quite a bit there as well, saving a lot over new for items they needed when the kids were newborns.

Join up on FB, then you can post and upload ads with pictures from your phone, it's quite easy.

I have a friend that is active selling on all these platforms. It’s filled with the same pros and cons. The big plus I’ve picked up on is the local aspect. You can often make the exchanges at police stations for more security. Plenty of scammers always lowballing and trying various methods to con you out of money and info though.

My wife does and I have done so in the past.

I never let anyone come to my house, I always pick a busy parking lot of some place that is nearby that the buyer meets me at. Like a Walmart or Target.

It used to be called FB Yardsale and was much more localized but now seems to have morphed into a more Craigslist place compete with the tire kickers and scammers.

It drives my wife crazy how many people will express interest in something then when you arrange for them to come get it, they go completely radio silent so you move on, then days later they're hounding her again. It's like a game or something.

I've sold a few items on there, worked well for me. Items were not expensive, folks paid cash and I met them in a neutral spot. I had some things posted that didn't sell, I took the post down and put them aside.

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It drives my wife crazy how many people will express interest in something then when you arrange for them to come get it, they go completely radio silent so you move on, then days later they're hounding her again. It's like a game or something.

Typical of any format for selling private goods, in the old days of classifieds you didn't have any way to get feedback from sellers on the poor habits of buyers.

No-shows, lowballers, dealers trying to hustle a sale, have always existed. Difference now is we have global communication methods so we know more about the situations.

Yes

I’ll post on FB marketplace, CL, and Offer Up.


All have about the same success/risk in my experience. Meet at public place, etc.

One nice thing about marketplace is you can look at the person’s FB profile to get an idea of how legit they are.

I recently sold a camera to a local guy on FB, probably one of the best interaction selling ever. Turns out he is in the police academy, had a really good chat with him.

Refreshing and reinforced that good people are still out there.

Its easy to do. You will get inundated with bots using the same script. I waste their time for fun. Real people will let you know pretty quickly if there is real interest. Don't give out your phone number, its part of scam.

I'll say my piece as someone who has bought and sold over 100 items over the years at yard sales, garage sales, craigslist and facebook marketplace. Just keep in mind you are dealing with the PUBLIC and all that it entails. What I mean by that is, there are a whole lot of great honest people in your town, there's some cheapskates, there's people who can show up at time and place when they say they can, there are those that can't. There's a few liars and cheats, and a few criminals. My general experience is for a LOCAL transaction, is that facebook marketplace is one level above what craiglist used to be. More true if they have a join date more than 10 years old. Reason being their full name, pictures, and location is on the site and scammers generally don't like to start off providing that information.

All the normal precautions apply in dealing with strangers. I have met a few on my front porch. In Oklahoma we all seem to meet at the local OnCue gas stations to make trades. I seem to have a sixth sense about scammers and if someone no shows I never go too fat out of my way to meet them, so I'm out 15 minutes of my time at most.

These days that's where I go to see my old car tires, a couch, bicycle gear etc.

The wife sells quite a bit on marketplace with no issues other than people expressing interest asking for more info, then not following through. She always meets them in neutral safe areas whether I’m there or not.

I thought I would be able to find a couple items that I am looking for but it has been disappointing. I don't find it to be intuitive to use. It is a pita to be honest all the while not a good search engine either.

Another disappoint.

I have. I usually put in the AD that I will meet in front of a police station near each other and will accept cash only. I will review the cash with an officer present (people have been scamming people with MOVIE money).

That usually keeps the scammers away.

I forgot to list the PD part when I was selling my wheel/tire setup from a previous car and the kid demanded a PD as the drop off point. Worked out great because my PD was in between his home and college. I even had the rookies load up his car for him. lol

I have used Facebook Market place for a few years and have had nothing but positive transactions. Mostly automotive parts, but some furniture and tools.

Yes, a couple of cars, furniture and other things. I also belong to several local "yardsale" groups on FB and post stuff on all of them simultaneously

As stated above, you have to weed through the tire kickers and scammers. You'll know when someone is serious

Mrs. Mike sold a treadmill on FB. Posted it, and a price. She got 5 inquiries but only one messenger her with a phone #, we drove halfway to meet her and helped her xfer it to her car. Easy peasy.

Yes.

You will get a bunch of "is this still available", messages, some scammers who are obvious (newly created profiles, usually posing as young wimminz, with lots of "friends" who are third world males.

And folks wanting you to "deliver" items your selling for $20 bucks to them 50 miles or more for free.

But in that mess, will be serious buyers who will buy your stuff, pay cash or verifiable cash apps, and pick up on time.

Those who communicate clearly and can be verified are the one's you want to deal with. I usually follow up with a phone call, and I know you have challenges with that, so the wife or friend to assist would be advantageous.

I've sold some guitars and watches with no problem.
I bought my Corvette off marketplace too.

Yes I’ve sold numerous things on there. You can get a really good idea just by looking at their profile and I also meet at our local PD. That’s the only way I will do it, if they himhaw I move on. Anyone legit will have no problem meeting you at a very public place and I don’t stray from my local ZpD or their local PD if I’m buying something. Same way with my local armslist, at the PD or not doing the deal. You can usually get a good vibe off of people just by the way they communicate.

Yes I use FB mktplace regularly to buy (occasionally) and sell (often). Do not give out your phone # or email - just communicate by messenger and ignore the time wasters. It's easy to spot a real buyer and then do a phone call. Craigslist is dead in Louisville area.

We had a portable dishwasher (full size but rolls on casters) in our old kitchen but no longer needed it with the new one, my wife put it on FB Marketplace as “$50 as is, you come pick it up”.

This young woman showed up to pick it up…with a Prius LOL

I helped her wedge that SOB in the back though and away she went!