Facebook Marketplace is a digital sales outlet where users can buy, sell, and trade items with people in their community. Think garage sale minus the setup, signs, and weekend investment. You can list almost any item on the site using the Facebook app or by accessing the platform via a web browser.
Individuals use the marketplace to buy or sell items, while e-commerce businesses and storefronts use it for marketing current inventory and increasing traffic. Learn about the pros and cons of using Facebook Marketplace and find out how much it’s going to cost you.
Pros of Facebook Marketplace
There’s a reason why people love shopping at thrift stores and flea markets—to get great bargains. Finding a diamond in the rough or hidden gem can be exhilarating, but the hunt can be exhausting. Whether you’re looking for furniture for your home, tools for your shed, or dresses for your cat, finding the right item can be challenging, as can selling the things you no longer need.
Luckily, forums like Facebook Marketplace changed the way bargain shoppers do business. With 7 in 10 people using the network, chances are you’re already on Facebook. So while you’re there, why not do some shopping, or better yet, earn some cash and try selling.
Discover three benefits of Facebook Marketplace that make it one of the easiest ways to find and buy the stuff you need and sell things you don’t.
1. Facebook Marketplace simplifies buying and selling
One of the pros of Facebook Marketplace is the ease with which you can post ads and find items. With the Facebook commerce forum, you don’t need a programming degree to buy and sell items. If you’re already active on Facebook, the learning curve is minimal.
On Facebook Marketplace, you can:
- Sell: Post items for sale in a snap using a computer, tablet, or cell phone. Take photos, write a description, and set the price. Then, select a category and location, and boom, you’re finished. The platform consolidates the information so you can also share the product with Facebook groups.
- Buy: The marketplace forum allows you to search by price, location, or product type and displays items based on your browsing history and membership groups.
2. The marketplace reaches a broad audience
With over 1.85 billion daily users, Facebook is ideal for sellers wanting to reach a vast audience or buyers needing to find particular items. Because it’s set up by location, buyers can purchase bulky items without paying a fortune for delivery. As a business owner, you can reach prospective clients by listing individual items in your inventory, linking them to your website or providing your storefront address.
3. Communicate with buyers and sellers
Facebook is a communication network, so it knows how to keep you connected. Marketplace buyers and sellers can message one another via Facebook Messenger. Take note, when posting items, provide a lot of detail in the ad, so you don’t waste time answering questions about the product or turning down lowball offers. Convenient communication avenues are terrific, but you don’t want avoidable queries to flood your inbox.
Messenger chats are also an excellent way for business owners to build trusted relationships with their community, make local connections, and network with business associates.
Cons of Facebook Marketplace
While the online commerce site has plenty of benefits, securing consumer confidence is an ongoing challenge. Moreover, before people buy or sell online, they often ask, “is Facebook Marketplace safe?” With these ideas in mind, consider the following three cons of Facebook Marketplace.
1. Purchases aren’t protected
Facebook doesn’t verify any sale items, so the process is built predominantly on trust. The only purchase protection offered is when you buy shipped items from Facebook shops using the checkout system. Items purchased for local pickup or using a peer-to-peer payment method like Zelle, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Venmo aren’t covered.
2. Facebook doesn’t vet buyers and sellers
Posting on the platform is simple for a reason. Facebook doesn’t verify products or vet buyers and sellers, which opens up the platform to scammers and junk. However, you can avoid this by using the marketplace in groups or communities that you’re a part of, as membership usually requires an invitation to join and has a screening process before acceptance.
3. Safety concerns
Facebook Marketplace doesn’t facilitate a delivery system, so most merchandise exchanges require face-to-face meetings. Most people don’t like strangers showing up on their doorstep unless they’re holding a giant check with the resident’s name on it. And hassling with arranged meeting places can be time consuming and even dangerous.
Finding someone with a truck to help pick up that “almost new” patio furniture you purchased isn’t always possible, especially for high-volume shoppers and sellers. Avoid exchange woes by using a service like DeliverEnd, which handles pickup and delivery, secures payments, and offers an in-app video verification of the items you purchase.
Fees for Facebook Marketplace
It’s hard to believe, but Facebook doesn’t charge individuals for buying or selling items. There are no mediators, just person-to-person transactions and the following Facebook Marketplace transaction fees:
- Listing fees: Unlike other commerce platforms, you can list items, offer services, or post job openings for free on Facebook Marketplace.
- Seller fees: If you sell items from a “shop” and use the marketplace checkout, Facebook charges 5% per shipment or $0.40 for items $8.00 or less.
Get Started on Facebook Marketplace Today
No longer just a place to connect with friends or troll your teenager, Facebook bounded into a social commerce space and isn’t turning back. Suppose you’re a business owner looking to increase your customer base, a seller making room in your garage, or a collector hunting for a unique treasure. In that case, Facebook Marketplace can help you find what you’re looking for, and DeliverEnd can get it to you safely.
