Facebook Marketplace is fast becoming the go-to platform for second hand sales and purchases across local communities, connecting sellers with those who are keen to buy their unwanted furnishings, accessories, clothes, and more.
The beauty of Facebook Marketplace is its user friendly design and the different options for payment which ensure there’s an option for everyone.
In order to make a purchase on Facebook Marketplace, you need to first browse the platform and then directly message the seller to discuss details, payment, and pick-up or delivery – with the journey from browser to buyer depending on both yours and the seller’s preferred methods.
Here’s a basic introduction to Facebook Marketplace from a buyer’s perspective.
Finding Facebook Marketplace and Browsing Local Goods
The Marketplace tab at the bottom of your Facebook app screen will take you straight to a highlights section of recommended furnishings and items for sale, based on any previous interaction you’ve had with the platform.
Labelled ‘Today’s Picks’, you can further refine these items and this opening collection of products, by clicking on the blue location tab and ensuring that it reflects your current location and stretches to a distance you’re willing to travel.
If you have a specific item in mind that you are looking for, you can narrow your search even more using the search bar at the top of the screen.
What to Do When You Find an Item to Buy
When you come across an item which meets your needs, has an attractive price tag, and is located somewhere accessible for you, the next step is to click the large blue ‘Message Seller’ button under the product photos and title.
This button will take you to a dedicated chat between yourself and the seller, that is filed under a labelled ‘Marketplace’ inbox in your Messenger app.
In this chat, you can ask any additional questions you have about the item, discuss cost, and find out more about how and where to pick the item up from (or arrange delivery).
How to Complete a Purchase on Marketplace
This is where user preference comes into its own, with Facebook Marketplace enabling users to complete a purchase via their choice of payment.
Some will request payment via BACS in advance of pick up or delivery, while others will look to receive cash in hand when the item is collected. Others still will send invoices – it all depends on the seller’s ideal payment method and the ease of payment for the buyer.
How to Stay Safe as a Buyer on Facebook Marketplace
While Facebook Marketplace is an excellent tool for finding second hand items in your local area, there is a risk of scam – both for buyers and sellers.
Buyers in particular should take care not to send any money until they have received proof of the item or seen the item for themselves, with payment on pick-up or delivery typically considered the safest way of paying for a Marketplace item.
Sellers, meanwhile, should be wary of timewasters who may string along a purchase only to never transfer money or never appear to collect the item.
Whatever your experience with buying online, Facebook Marketplace combines the connectivity and diverse network of Facebook users with a chance to search for and buy items you need from those in your local area. We hope this article both inspires you to use Facebook Marketplace, and shows that the platform is both user friendly and safe to browse.
