Shopping on Facebook Marketplace is similar to doing it from the comfort of your couch. Almost anything is available for purchase. And the best part, you can negotiate with the seller and secure a better deal. To start a price negotiation, just send the seller a message with a reasonable price offer or ask them “is this price negotiable?”.
Through Facebook Marketplace, I’ve bought clothes, power equipment, children’s toys, furniture, and even houseplants!
That is because I adore buying used stuff. And using Facebook Marketplace to do so makes it really simple to locate fantastic items that are within my price range.
So after engaging in many transactions through Facebook Marketplace, today I will share my tips with you to be seen by sellers and acquire fantastic things at awesome rates by negotiating.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a platform within the Facebook app that allows users to buy and sell items within their local community.
Also, users can browse listings, contact sellers, and make transactions all within the Facebook app. However, the platform is intended to make it easy for people to buy and sell items with people they know and trust.
Tips to Help You Negotiate on Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace is becoming increasingly popular, with more than 800 million people using the service on a monthly basis.
Furniture, clothing, books, and household goods are among the best-selling items on the online marketplace, and all of them can be purchased at steep discounts if you’re a good negotiator.
Some people make a living trading on Facebook Marketplace because they are skilled negotiators who know how to close a deal. In some scenarios, they will simply resell items purchased at a higher price; in others, they will up-cycle items such as furniture before reselling them for a profit.
A friend once sold his own broken Nintendo Wii to a buyer who told him he only bought broken consoles on the marketplace and made extra money each month repairing and selling them.
There are great deals to be found on Facebook Marketplace, but you must know how and when to bargain in order to get the best results. Here are some pointers to help you get the best price possible the next time you see a listing you find interesting.
Here are some other tips you should keep in mind when negotiating with sellers on Facebook Marketplace.
1. Completely Read the Item Description
Most of your questions should be answered in the item description. Do not begin your negotiation by asking the seller if they will deliver the item when their description already says that they cannot.
More importantly, the description can reveal to you innovative ways to improve your offer without increasing the price. For example, if the listing specifies that it must be sold quickly, can you pick it up quickly and with minimal inconvenience to the seller? If the listing states that postage is free, but you live nearby, can you offer to collect instead, saving the seller postage fees?
Contact-free pick-ups are more valuable than ever, so see if you can offer to arrange a dependable pick-up that does not involve close contact – instead of cash, can you offer to pay via bank transfer? That’s fantastic news for many sellers!
2. Check the Date the Item was Listed
The listing will indicate when the seller listed the item for sale. If it’s only been listed for a few days, you probably don’t have much wiggle room for negotiation. Other messages and offers will be sent to the seller, and you will face strong competition.
If the listing has been up for more than a week, you’ll be able to get a good deal if you negotiate well. The seller is obviously not in a hurry to sell, but there will be less competition when you submit your offer. The longer the item has been on the market, the more you can reduce the asking price.
TIP: Don’t rely solely on the listing time frame provided by Facebook. Some sellers are well aware that by listing an item for an extended period of time, they expose themselves to large negotiations. They’ll avoid this by removing their item and then re-listing it.
If you’re interested in something, keep it in mind and keep an eye out for it being re-listed several times.
3. Explore Other Listings By the Same Seller
When sellers are cleaning out their homes, it’s common for them to list a large number of items all at once. If you see multiple listings from the same seller that you like, take advantage of this by creating your own bundle.
If you can offer to take two or three listings off their hands at once, you’ll be in a great position as a buyer. In this case, depending on the listings, it’s perfectly reasonable to ask for 10%, 20%, or even 25% off.
4. Be Direct Rather Than Beating Around the Bush
The fact that Facebook Marketplace is supposed to be quick is part of its appeal. Sellers are uninterested in your background or why you are interested in their item. They simply want to sell it.
Make your opening offer count by being direct and to the point to the seller. This is an ideal spot for a bargain, but your opening offer must be strong enough to open the door to further negotiations. If you underbid too much, you will be ignored.
For instance, If the item is listed for $150 and you are okay with paying $140, you can offer seller $125. It is a reasonable offer that also leaves room for further negotiation.
If you need to ask questions first, that’s fine; just be direct and don’t beat around the bush.
5. Make an Offer to Put Down a Holding Deposit
If you really want something and have a good deal, consider locking it in. Offer to transfer a part of the sale price to the seller as a holding deposit right away. This shows them you’re serious about the purchase and should prevent you from being outbid by another buyer later on – especially if you make this offer on the condition that the listing is removed immediately.
There is some risk in doing this, so only propose a small percentage of the sale price and only do it if the seller seems interested. Keep your money until you’ve got the item in your sights if anything seems off (lack of profile picture or strange item description, etc.).
6. Walk Away After You’ve Made Your Best Offer
As with any negotiation, set a walkaway price for yourself – a figure that you will not go above when purchasing the item. Don’t be talked into further negotiations after you’ve offered your best price and you’re reasonably certain it’s competitive.
Inform them that you have made your best offer and that they can contact you if they decide to accept it.
After this, keep an eye on the listing. If a day or two it’s still available, message the seller and remind them that if they’ve changed their mind, your offer is still on the table.
Pride will often prevent a seller from contacting you again on their own, but if you gently remind them, they may accept your offer.
7. Set an Alert if You’re After a Specific Item
Don’t overlook the alerts feature if you’re looking for something specific on Facebook Marketplace. You can set up notifications so that you are notified as soon as a listing matching your keywords is created.
Even better, you can use alerts in conjunction with the search to find listings from sellers who are more willing to negotiate.
If you’re looking for something that gets listed fairly frequently and doesn’t mind paying for postage, set up a broad search area and keep responding to sellers as new listings appear. You’ll eventually find someone willing to give you what you want for a low price.
Don’t be desperate and offer a high price for something that is frequently listed – with some patience, you’ll be able to get it at a low price.
Step-by-Step Guide on Negotiating on Facebook MarketPlace
Negotiating on Facebook Marketplace is a simple process that can be done in a few steps:
1. Find the item you are interested in and message the seller to ask any questions you may have about the item.
2. When you are ready to make an offer, message the seller and state your offer clearly. Be sure to include any conditions or terms you would like to be included in the sale.
3. The seller will then respond with their counteroffer or acceptance of your offer.
4. Continue to negotiate until you both reach a mutually agreed upon price and terms.
5. Once you have agreed on a price, arrange for payment and pick-up or delivery of the item.
It is important to be polite and respectful when negotiating and to keep in mind that the seller has the right to accept or decline any offer.
Also, avoid pressure and try to be as flexible as possible. If the seller is not willing to budge on the price, you can look for another item that better fits your budget.
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Summary
Buying on Facebook Marketplace is one of my favorite ways to save money on second-hand clothing and furniture. I enjoy discovering hidden treasures and the thrill of getting a great deal on an item!
That concludes our advice for negotiating on Facebook Marketplace. However, keep in mind that bargaining is no longer limited to online marketplaces.
