How to Find the Best Deals on Facebook Marketplace

These last few weeks I’ve been on the hunt for an antique dresser so I’ve been back in the world of Facebook Marketplace and thought I’d share a few of my tips for finding finding Facebook marketplace deals. Facebook Marketplace, in its spare time from absolutely annihilating Craigslist, has really been a gamechanger for the thrifty gals among us.

From furnishing our first apartment with hand-me-down Walmart particle board furniture to now finding all kinds of amazing renovation materials (like our bathroom floor tile + the bathroom vanity I made from a dresser, it’s always come through for me.

But, it can be frustrating and overwhelming to dive in and not find what you’re looking for, so here are six tips for finding the best Facebook Marketplace deals.

Save save save

You’ve got to be scrolling often because things are always popping up and being snapped up quickly! The biggest tip I have, though, is to hit the ‘save’ button on anything remotely close to what you’re looking for. If it’s tile that’s not the style or color you’re looking for, save it anyway. If it’s a couch that’s way too big or way too expensive, you’d better be hitting that little bookmark button.

Facebook’s algorithm is pretty amazing, so within a couple of days (maybe even hours) of doing this, it’ll recognize what you’re looking for and start showing you the most relevant options first.

For me, even when I’ve scrolled through every ‘antique dresser’ available within 50 miles, after bookmarking a few, it’ll start showing me some that didn’t come up the first time.

Search multiple terms

Look, I’m not here to shame anyone’s spelling ability. But sometimes, even though you’re looking for a play kitchen, another Facebook user is probably out there listing their “paly kerthcen” and it makes no sense but whaddyaknow, when you see the photos it’s exactly what you want.

In a less extreme version, there are also a lot of ways people describe things. Sometimes it’s a credenza or a buffet or a side table. Sometimes it’s vintage and sometimes it’s antique. Sometimes it’s an outdoor table and sometimes it’s a patio table. You get it.

Searching multiple different terms gives more options (and that algorithm kicks in again, too).

Know your measurements

It’s hit or miss how people list their items. Sometimes – especially for furniture – the seller will hold up a tape measure in photos to show how big it is without listing it in the description. Others (my favourite people) will give precise measurements in the description. But most, honestly, won’t give measurements so it’s helpful to keep a note on your phone with any sizing restrictions on the item you’re looking for.

That way when you send a message asking for dimensions, you’ll know right away whether it’s a good fit and won’t be one of those annoying buyers who strings things along.

Be flexible

Finding Facebook Marketplace deals is way more likely to happen if you’re flexible. Be able to offer cash or use apps like Venmo or Zelle. Be willing to pick up the item at a few different times throughout the week.

A couple of times if I’ve really found something amazing I’m obsessively refreshing my Messenger app for, I’ll even offer to send half the money right away to hold it until I get there and sometimes that helps skip the line (sneaky, but it’s a dog eat dog world out there, guys.)

Be safe

I know, I know, I sound like a den mother and it’s not really a tip for finding the best deals, but it’s true. I always creep on the seller before agreeing to meet to see if they’ve had other items listed (sometimes spammy people will have literally hundreds of random things for sale and that’s kind of a red flag to me, or they’ll have never sold anything which is an opposite-end-of-the-spectrum red flag,) and see if their profile is legit.

Your profile picture is of a motorbike or a flower and there are zero photos of real people there? Sorry, no thank you. No friends and your profile’s been active for two weeks? You’re not getting my organs today, Theresa.

I’m always willing to meet in a public place if someone prefers it, but depending on the item sometimes it’s just easier to go to someone’s house.

I generally always take Alex or have Alex at home when someone comes by, or at least send him the address I’m going to and go in the middle of the day. If it’s something small I also ask them to do a porch pickup where I’d either pay in advance or leave cash/Venmo so I don’t have to go inside anyone’s house.

Obviously most people are just normal people who want to sell their shit and probably don’t want to haul it to Goodwill, but you just never know so it’s important to just be aware of the safety element anyway.

Be nice

Obviously you should probably just do this in all factors of life, but it’s especially helpful when you’re Facebook Marketplace scrolling. Nothing is more infuriating as a seller than receiving the automated generic ‘is this available’ message (well, actually, maybe messaging back and forth making a plan and then ghosting, which happens a lot).

You don’t need to compliment their profile photo or make it weird, but sending a more personalized message saying you’re interested will go a long way.

Asking a specific question, offering a couple of times for pickup, or even just saying something like ‘this is exactly what I’ve been looking for and I’m really interested if it’s still available’ is so much better than the automated response. Having been on the other end of it with some really popular items I clearly lowballed myself on in the past, having an influx of exactly the same message makes it easy to ignore, whereas something with a bit more effort put in catches their eye.

So there you go, my top tips for finding Facebook marketplace deals.

It turns out that in thinking about it, finding the good stuff really comes before the fact in training your algorithm and knowing exactly what you’re looking for. There will still be times you’ll be ghosted or miss out on something you really had your heart set on, but hopefully you’ve got a few more tools when you’re on the hunt now.

Oh, and for what it’s worth, I did find the antique dresser I was looking for and with a bit of love, it’s going to make a super cute bar cart in our living room soon!

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