October 3, 2016April 23, 2020
For the latest information on how to use Marketplace, visit our
Help Center. Facebook is where people connect, and in recent years more people have been using Facebook to connect in another way: buying and selling with each other. This activity started in Facebook Groups and has grown substantially. More than 450 million people visit buy and sell groups each month — from families in a local neighborhood to collectors around
the world. To help people make more of these connections, today we’re introducing Marketplace, a convenient destination to discover, buy and sell items with people in your community. Marketplace makes it easy to find new things you’ll love, and find a new home for the things you’re ready to part with. We’ll continue to build new options and features to make this the best
experience for people. To visit Marketplace, just tap on the shop icon at the bottom of the Facebook app and start exploring.
Discover Items for Sale Near You
Marketplace opens with photos of items that people near you have listed for sale. To find something specific, search at the top and filter your results by location, category or price. You can also browse what’s available in a variety of categories such as Household, Electronics and Apparel. Use the built-in location tool to adjust the region you’re looking in, or switch to a different city altogether.
When you find something interesting, tap on the image to see more details from the seller, including a product description, the name and profile photo of the seller, and their general location. You can also save the item to find it later.
Decided that you want it? Send the seller a direct message from Marketplace to tell them you’re interested and make an offer. From that point on, you and the seller can work out the details in any way you choose. Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items in Marketplace.
Post Items for Sale in Just a Few Steps
Selling an item in Marketplace is just as easy as browsing for one. Simply:
- Take a photo of your item, or add it from your camera roll
- Enter a product name, description and price
- Confirm your location and select a category
- Post
Now anyone looking in your area can find your item and message you if they want to buy it. You can also choose to post to Marketplace and a specific buy and sell group at the same time.
To keep track of all of your current and past transactions in Marketplace, visit the Your Items section. There, you can view your saved items, products you’ve posted for sale, and all your messages with people.
Now in Four Countries, With More to Come
Over the next few days, Marketplace will be rolling out to everyone over 18 years old in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand on the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. We will continue expanding to additional countries and make Marketplace available on the desktop version of Facebook in the coming months.
- You can sell items on Facebook Marketplace via the desktop website or mobile app.
- Facebook Marketplace is only supported in the US and there are restrictions on what you can sell.
- How you get paid is up to you and Facebook doesn't charge a fee — unless you're selling as a shop.
Selling your stuff online has become a popular alternative to garage sales. For casual sellers, Facebook Marketplace is a free option that connects you with potential buyers in your area. But there are restrictions to what you can sell, and it can take a bit of know-how to stand out on the platform.
Here's what you should know about selling on Facebook Marketplace.
How to sell on Facebook Marketplace
You can use Facebook Marketplace on either desktop or mobile.
On desktop
1. Open Facebook and log in to your account, if needed.
2. Click Marketplace, located in the left sidebar.
Select "Marketplace" in the sidebar. Devon Delfino3. Click Create New Listing.
Select "Create new listing" to begin. Devon Delfino4. Select Item for Sale.
You can choose item for sale to sell on the Marketplace. Devon Delfino5. Click Add Photos and upload a photo of your item.
Add at least one photo to your listing. Devon Delfino6. Add the information about your item. Enter 0 as the price if you want to list it as a free item. Select Next.
7. Choose the delivery method, if needed, and hit Next.
You may need to choose a delivery method to move forward. Devon Delfino8. Click Publish to post the listing.
On mobile
1. Open the Facebook app and log in to your account, if necessary.
2. Tap the Marketplace tap, located in the center of the bottom toolbar.
Go into the Marketplace to start making a listing. Devon Delfino3. Select Sell.
Hit the "Sell" button. Devon Delfino4. In the pop-up, under Create New Listing, choose Items.
5. Add the information about your item, and at least one photo, and hit Next.
Add your description and a photo. Devon Delfino6. Choose a delivery method and hit Publish.
Tap "Publish" to finish your listing. Devon DelfinoFacebook Marketplace payment details
The payment method on Facebook Marketplace is up to the seller. But the company recommends using Messenger or PayPal to get paid at the time of sale.
You can also use Messenger to decide what method of payment works best for both parties. For example, if you prefer PayPal or Venmo, but the buyer doesn't have those, you might talk about a cash handoff when they pick up their item, provided they're local.
Facebook Marketplace shipping and returns
You can only use the shipping feature if you're selling as a shop. That means you'll also be subject to a selling fee of 5% per shipment, or a flat fee of $0.40 for shipments of $8.00 or less.
Once you've signed up for online checkout and shipping, you'll have a set amount of time after each purchase to ship the item to the buyer. Otherwise, the order will be deleted or canceled by Facebook. You can either choose to cover the shipping costs yourself or let the buyer pay. You must add tracking information and mark the package as shipped to get paid on items that use the shipping option.
If the buyer requests a refund, you'll have two business days to respond and attempt to resolve the issue. And any refunds have to be issued within two business days from when you receive the returned items.
Tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace
Since many sellers are on the Marketplace, it pays to stand out. Here are some tips to help you do that:
- Check out the competition and price your items competitively.
- Take high-quality photos using good lighting.
- Reply to questions in a timely manner.
- Provide as many details as you can in the item description.
- Say that you are open to offers and negotiate.
- Use tags to make your listings easier to find.
You should also familiarize yourself with the acronyms commonly used on the Marketplace so you can use them as well:
- PM: personal message
- OBO: or best offer
- NWT: new with tags
- PUP: pick-up pending
- NIL: next in line
Devon Delfino is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist specializing in personal finance, culture, politics, and identity. Her work has been featured in publications such as The Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, Business Insider, and CNBC. Follow her on Twitter at @devondelfino.
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