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My name is Sam, and Im addicted to Facebook Marketplace.
My lastFacebookpost is dated October 22, 2016.
Though today my basic furniture needs are met, I continue to scour the goods daily.
); the worlds most perfect Ikea sectional for $1,000 off retail price.
A millennial, Iand many of my peersam not and have never been a Craigslist or eBay user.
(Craigslist was for creeps, and shipping something on eBay?
Add to that, 2016 was the perfect time for Facebook to hook us.
The proliferation of dating apps eased us into the idea of meeting strangers wed first encountered online.
(Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble were founded in 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively.)
At the same time,sustainabilitybecame the buzzword on the tips of every marketers tongue.
Seemingly overnight, it seemed everyone was shopping secondhand both in personandonline.
ThredUp, Poshmark, and Vestiaire Collective all cropped up around this time.
It was the perfect storm.
Heres what you oughta know.
But there are a couple rules of thumb that can make all the difference.
Photograph in natural light.This is especially important for brightly colored items.
And skip the filters.
I photographed the rips individually with a tape measure in the frame to show their length.
Dont over do ityou only need three to four photos.Quality over quantity!
Note: A screenshot should neverreplaceyour personal photos.
No need for a paragraphs-long description of why youre selling your item.
Focus on key words, condition, color, and size.
Put yourself in the shoes of a buyer, and imagine what they might be searching for.
If youre going to include decor style (midcentury modern, Art Deco), double-check your accuracy!
Buy a tape measure if you have to, Im begging.
(Has the post been up for several months?
It could be priced too high.)
For example, I recently sold a cabinet that Id previously purchased on Marketplace for $100.
I listed the piece at $175, and offers between $100 and $125 hit my inbox.
I sold the piece for $125, and then took that profit and bought myself dinner.
Are you selling something large?
Something thats an awkward shape?
Something you had trouble getting into your home in the first place?
Advertise that youll need help moving it out of your space.
And if someone messages you asking, Will you be able to help me carry it to my car?
Just trust me on that one.
Reverse-search the images, and youll probably find the product way cheaper online.
Same goes if someone has multiples of the same item.
How much could it cost?
Point being, a well-to-do person who is selling something on Marketplace (of all places!)
probably doesnt knowor better yet, doesnt carewhat their item is worth.
This is a jackpot scenario for a buyer.
So I began scouring the wealthy NYC neighborhoods for deals.
I low-balled, requesting an extra $200 off.
This anecdote is 100% a brag.
If you notice an item is well-priced and desirable, dont wait around.
My standby is: Hi, would you take $X if I pickup this evening?
Im also available at Y time.
No need to get flowery or complimentary.
Try chair, boucle, and West Elm separately.
