Tips for Shopping on Facebook Marketplace | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 250

Tips for Shopping on Facebook Marketplace | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 250

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Wow! It’s episode 250. Can you believe it? It’s astonishing to me that I recorded episodes 1-8 in the summer of 2016 and am still doing this five years later. 

This week’s episode is a solo one, and I’m answering your questions about shopping second hand on Facebook Marketplace. I get so many questions about this. Shopping second hand is one of the most ethical ways to shop, and I’ve often shared my passion about it. Today, I’m sharing my favorite shopping tips with you. 

2:26 – A love for Facebook Marketplace

• When we moved to the farm, I sold a lot of our stuff on Facebook Marketplace. But I bought a ton of stuff, too. 
• Probably, easily, three quarters of the things in our new home are from Facebook Marketplace. 

6:59 – Before you search

• Make sure you set your filters – location radius, mileage and local pickup. 
• I almost never, ever, ever shop for anything that’s going to be shipped to me. 

8:21 – Mileage and location

• For me, for most items, I’m not willing to drive more than 20 to 25 miles. If it’s a larger ticket item, I might expand the area or look around where my family lives so they can pick it up. 
• Set your radius and mileage on your mobile phone’s Facebook app versus the desktop version. I can be more precise in the mobile app. 

9:48 – Searching

• Try different search terms. If you search rocking chairs, people list it different ways – wood rockers, rocking chairs, front porch chairs, etc. 

11:08 – Save, save, save

• When you click on a listing, you can save an item. Use it very liberally. It tells Facebook it’s the kind of thing you’re looking for. It also helps to check back on an item and see if it’s still for sale. If it’s been several days or weeks, you can negotiate a lower price. 

12:24 – Select “notify me”

• You can select “notify me.” This lets you know if a new listing fitting your criteria comes up. It’s not perfect and can sometimes be delayed.

13:00 – Ready to buy

• You might have to fight to get a hot ticket item if it’s priced well or free. 
• If you see something you like, message the person quickly and write a personal message. 

15:24 – Can you negotiate?

• Yes and no, but if it’s a hot ticket item listed for less than 24 hours, I typically offer full price.
• If it’s been listed for several days or a week, I’ll try to negotiate.

17:09 – Don’t ghost people

• There is nothing more annoying when someone ghosts you. It’s very frustrating. Don’t do this. 

18:14 – The most important tip

• You have to be patient. If you are looking for something, and you need it right away, Facebook Marketplace is probably not going to be the best place to search.

FEATURED QUOTES

“Shopping second hand is keeping things out of landfills and giving things a second life, or a third life, or a fourth life.”

“In the last year or so, I have developed a bit of – I don’t want to say addiction, because that sounds really negative – a love for shopping on Facebook Marketplace.” 

“How to shop second hand on Facebook Marketplace – I’m giving you my tips of how I snag really amazing deals.”

“Most people on Facebook Marketplace want their stuff gone.”

“If you are looking for something, and you need it right away, Facebook Marketplace is probably not going to be the best place to search.”

Thank you to our partners of the show:

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