My 10 Surefire Facebook Marketplace Search Tips ~ find exactly what you want for less (Part 1)!
How have I not shared my Facebook Marketplace Search Tips with you here yet?! I’m a bit baffled because Marketplace has some of the best deals around and has been one of our secret weapons against debt and a boring looking home for years and years. Today, in Part 1, I’m sharing my tips for buying on Facebook Marketplace: finding great items and get them at a good price.
Part 2 is Live here: How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Stay Safe and Not Get Ripped Off (Part 2).
I was reminded last night that I hadn’t shared my tips when Ed scored an amazing deal on new Blundstones (his favourite shoe for work). He got a pair for $60 when they retail for well over $200. Woohoo!
Hutches are easy to find on Marketplace and we’ve shared dozens of ideas for giving them makeovers here.
Why is Facebook Marketplace so good?
If it weren’t for Marketplace I think I could leave FB altogether. As a business I find Meta lacking integrity and the platform can bring out the worst in people. It irks me that I can’t walk away, but Marketplace is just too good!
I think the main reason there are such good deals and so many things for sale on FBM is because it’s just so easy. Anyone can shoot a quick photo, type up a description and bam – they are on their way to getting rid of it.
That’s where the real treasure is found – in people who just want to quickly get rid of a thing cluttering up their house. They generally ask for a reasonable amount for the item and are usually open to negotiating.
How do I find good stuff on Facebook Marketplace?
1) Decide Your Search Area
Customizing your search area is valuable. It can help contain the search results to places you would actually consider buying from.
To do this I ask myself, “How far am I willing to drive to get the perfect thing?” Most of the time my answer is about 35 km. That is not too far, and encompasses a few cities in my area.
If what you’re looking for is really unique, you may want to push your search area further to find it.
Often when I’m away from home, at our weekend place or on vacation, I’ll change the search area to there, just in case there’s something great. Yes, I fully admit, I’m obsessed.
We gave it a DIY apothecary-style makeover and a DIY mercury glass update.
2) Search Often
I find it’s best to scroll FBM at least daily. The good things go fast, so seeing them early is always helpful.
3) Be Patient
I’m often amazed at how little time it takes for the right thing to cross my path. Generally, within a week or so I’ve found what I’m after using my system. So don’t settle, be patient and be prepared to spend some time to find what’s just right for you and a good price.
It’s also helpful for you to do this…
4) Teach the Algorithm What You’re Looking For
Often times algorithms work against you – big search corporations controlling what you see based on what’s best for their profits, for example.
This is one instance where you can make an algorithm work for you. But you need to teach it what you want. You can do this two ways:
- Click on the listings that are similar to what you’re looking for, and
- Saving the things that most closely resemble what you’re after.
By saving similar items it sends a signal to FBM what you’d like to see more of. So even if what you’ve found isn’t perfect, save it to your list! You may then be served more listings that lead you to exactly what you’d like.
5) Think Outside Your Search Term
- Think about adjacent terms to what you’re looking for.
- For example, right now I’m searching for a barristers bookcase. Some people will list it under different names, so I’m also searching “lawyers bookcase” and “glass bookcase”. And don’t forget: bookshelf.
- Sometimes searching with common spelling mistakes will bring up just what you’re looking for.
For this find I searched: bentwood chairs, bistro chairs, Romanian chairs, cafe chairs, etc.
6) Know what you need – measurements
- Know how big a space your item will need to fit into, or
- Know the typical sizes/models that item comes in
- Having this info will give you questions to ask (see below) and avoid buying things too big or too small.
- I keep a list of measurements for things I’m looking for in the Reminders app on my phone
7) Communication Tips
- Avoid the auto response – it is overused and annoying to many sellers. Customize your message for a better response.
- Tell them earliest you can pick up the item – this is super appealing to sellers.
- Don’t try to haggle in the first message – it’s tacky and off-putting to sellers.
- If it’s no longer available you can ask to be contacted if the sale doesn’t work out. You’d be surprised how often this is effective – people often no show and you can reap the benefits.
Ask Questions to avoid problems and disappointment
- Ask enough questions in your chats with the seller. I find one or two at a time is best, if you ask more than that in one message something usually goes unanswered.
- Here are some common questions that I ask:
- Is there anything wrong with it?
- Non-smoking home?
- Smoking smells are hard to get out of things, especially anything made with cloth.
- Pet-free home?
- This doesn’t usually matter to me much – but it might for you.
- Size of the item?
- If they don’t have measuring tape they could estimate
- eg – how many pieces of printer paper across?
- Is it as high as your kitchen countertop?
- Or ask for additional photos with a standard sized item in it – like a pop can or a dining chair
- If they don’t have measuring tape they could estimate
- Are you the first owner?
- Where did you buy it?
- I’ve used this answer to find exactly how much the item retails for so I can get a sense of a fair price.
- Are there any rips in the fabric?
- Is the piece sturdy – does it wobble?
8) Pick-up Tips
- Pick up ASAP – same day or next day. If it’s a few days in advance you risk someone else swooping in first.
- Confirm pickup time and place
- Porch Pickup is great – for smaller items in the right neighbourhood. They leave it on the porch and you leave payment in the mailbox or an agreed upon secret spot.
- Some neighbourhoods are high risk for porch pirates – so knowing your community is important.
- Ensure it will fit in your vehicle (Did we mention measurements are important?)
- For the right items, renting a van or trailer can be worth it. We rented a Uhaul more than once. You can rent vans at Home Depot, too.
- Bring a friend to help lift heavy items and for personal safety. Make sure at the very least someone knows where you’re going.
- Have what you need to transport it (ropes, protective blankets, that strong friend)
- Inspect the item well – walk away if it’s not good for you – or use this opportunity to haggle a bit.
9) Getting a Good Price
- Check out what other items the seller has listed. Often they will give you a better price if you bundle things.
- Save haggling for the end of the chats.
- Asking is worth a try: “Would you take x dollars?”
- Take cash in flexible amounts
- I will sometimes put the amount I’d like to pay in one pocket and offer that amount. If they don’t I have the rest on me elsewhere.
10) Payment Tips
- Cash is king – bring the right change
- Avoid sending a deposit – this is often a scammer strategy (more on this in Part 2: How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Stay Safe and Not Get Ripped Off)
It sounds like a lot to take in, but most of these tips will become second nature to you fairly quickly. They really are worth it as FBM has been an absolute treasure trove of great purchases! Did we miss any great tips? Share your best ones below!
Check out Part 2 here: How to Avoid Scams on Facebook Marketplace, Stay Safe and Not Get Ripped Off (Part 2)
Our most consistent finds are home decor and furniture. Often we turn them into DIY projects around the house. Here’s some examples that might inspire you:
- How to Reupholster Dining Chairs – A Super Easy Beginner DIY Makeover Project!
- DIY Apothecary Cabinet Inspired Old Hutch Makeover (and where to find Apothecary Drawer Pulls!)
- Stylish DIY IKEA Dog Crate Hack from a Crib! ($50 + One Afternoon of Work)
- DIY Buffet with Sink: How We Made Our DIY Wet Bar from a Repurposed Antique
- Cheap & Easy DIY Glass Whiteboard for Dry Erase
- The my desk and the gorgeous antique hutch in our Our DIY Home Office Music Room (from a Playroom)
- The creator to fabricate the Custom Bar Sign I designed
- And more I’m surely forgetting – and projects we haven’s shared yet!
Robin and Ed are a DIY-loving couple with over 25 years of design and build experience. Also, Robin is a Nutritionist and former Registered Dietitian and Ed is an award-winning Business Educator. We share strategies for living a rich life on a DIY budget: creative money-savvy ideas for a stylish home, healthy meals and family fun. Our work has been published in the pages of Do It Yourself, Farmhouse Style and Better Homes & Gardens magazines.
