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One of the easy and quick ways to make money is to sell your stuff that you don’t need anymore. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is well said. You never know how many people will be interested in what you are looking to get rid of. If it’s something you’re getting rid of anyway, wouldn’t it be a good deal to make some bucks by selling it?

My husband and I use Facebook Marketplace to sell our stuff. Facebook Marketplaces is a hybrid of the Internet and face-to-face sales. You list the items that you want to sell on Facebook Marketplace, negotiate directly with buyers, and then either meet the buyers in person or send your items to the buyers for sales. Facebook doesn’t charge any commission for doing business on Facebook Marketplace.

My husband and I love Facebook Marketplace because 1) it’s very easy to use without being tech-savvy, 2) communicating with potential buyers is simple, and 3) it feels safe.

1) It’s very easy to use without being tech-savvy.

The listing process on Facebook Marketplace is very straightforward. The Marketplace site is easily accessible for both sellers and buyers. It’s right on the top bar on your page on the Facebook website or app. To sell your item in the Marketplace, you just need to upload some photos and enter a few required information by following the on-screen guidance, then you can have your item listed in 5 minutes! In fact, my mother-in-law, who is not as tech-savvy as we are, uses the Facebook Marketplace to sell her stuff. It’s that easy.

2) Communicating with potential buyers is simple.

All communication with potential buyers is completed on Facebook Messenger. When somebody contacts you regarding the item you are selling, you get a message on your Messenger. Then you just need to get on to Messenger and start having a conversation with the buyer about your item. You can avoid the hassle of exchanging contact information and so on, which allows both you and the buyer to focus on business.

3) It feels safe.

As mentioned in 2), with Facebook Messenger, you don’t have to give out your personal contact information. Communication is completed within the Facebook platform. As for me, I would like to avoid exchanging personal contact information as much as possible with somebody I don’t know even if it’s business, so this way of communication is very appreciated.

Moreover, thanks to the unique features of Facebook, it provides another significant safety factor. Since all communication is done on the Facebook platform, you can look up the potential buyers’ profiles to find basic information about them, such as names, pictures, where they work or which school they go to, etc. This kind of extra information can help you figure out what kind of buyer they are. Since you both know each other’s names and pictures, communication tends to be real and sincere. But still, if you find something suspicious about the other person, you can always report it to Facebook.

These are the reasons my husband and I love Facebook Marketplace. What is mentioned above all applies to the buyer’s side. Facebook Marketplace is a win-win place for both sellers and buyers.

4 Tips to stand out in the FACEBOOK marketplace

Now, I’d like to share with you some tips that my husband and I use to increase our sales on Facebook Marketplace.

1. Set a competitive price.

When you set a price for your item, the key question is, “Would you buy it with the price if you were a buyer?” What you are offering for sale is likely to be offered for sale by others. So do a little research to find out the ballpark price of the item you are planning to sell. This will be a good benchmark to start setting your price. If you are over-ambitious here, it may not sell. The important thing to remember is that while the purpose is to get rid of your stuff and hopefully make extra money, you are not making a living off of it. 

Here are some techniques we use when we sell our stuff.

• • Set a price slightly lower than other people’s listings.
  • Sell as a bundle. Ex) If you are selling a game console, add 1 or 2 games.
  • If setting the price a little higher, carefully explain why so that the buyer will be satisfied.
  • Set a price a little higher in anticipation of being negotiated, and make it clear that it is negotiable.
  • Set the price using visual effects that make it look cheap, such as $14.99.

2. Take clean, clear, and detailed photos.

You don’t need a fancy camera to take good pictures. Your smartphone does a very good job. To take good photos, I recommend that you actually go to the Facebook Marketplace and research how other people are taking pictures of their items. If you find photos you like, find out why you like those listing photos and try to copy what they are doing.

As for my husband and me, we use a white bed sheet for the background to make the product stand out. It is not a professional photo that looks like it was taken in a photo studio, but it is clean and clear enough.

Also, if you are selling something like a wallet, you will need detailed photos such as how many pockets it has and how the pockets are arranged.

3. Write an honest description.

Honesty is very important. How long or how many times have you used the item? How many features does the product have? Any defects should the new owner be aware of? Buyers rarely expect brand new fresh-out-to-the-market products to be sold at lower than market prices. If they do find those items, it’s a lucky day for them. Rather, it is more important that they get a product that is worth the money they pay. What may be a concern to you may not be a concern to the buyers. As mentioned in the beginning, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Most importantly, an honest description can avoid potential trouble and keep your credibility.  

4. Be courteous in communication.

Since you are communicating with the buyer directly, being courteous will be helpful. You don’t need to be as formal as you would be in a business situation, but a friendly and kind response will put the buyer at ease. Just as you do not know the buyer, the buyer does not know you, so the anxiety is mutual. Making a good impression is more likely to lead to a good sale.

To be courteous, my husband and I try to reply as soon as we can when buyers contact us, answer their questions, and be open to negotiations.

Now, one thing you should be careful about is not to give in too much. You might encounter someone you end up not wanting to sell your item to. Even in such a case, however, refuse a sale as politely as possible. And don’t forget to thank his/her interest.

I hope the tips I shared here are helpful. Selling what you don’t need is a great way to downsize and earn extra money, killing two birds with one stone!

Do you sell your stuff in any way?
What is your main way to sell your stuff?
What is your strategy to sell your stuff?