How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace: Complete Reseller Guide for 2026

Facebook Marketplace has quietly become one of the most powerful selling platforms available to resellers. With over 1 billion monthly active users browsing Marketplace listings, zero fees on local pickup sales, and a built-in trust layer through Facebook profiles, it’s a platform that every serious reseller needs in their toolkit—whether you’re selling your first item or moving 200+ units per month.

But here’s the thing: most sellers treat Marketplace like a digital yard sale. Blurry photos, vague descriptions, and arbitrary pricing. That approach leaves serious money on the table. The resellers who consistently profit on Marketplace treat it like the massive commerce platform it actually is—with optimized listings, strategic pricing, smart scheduling, and a repeatable system.

This guide covers everything you need to sell effectively on Facebook Marketplace in 2026. From setting up a trustworthy profile to understanding the algorithm, mastering negotiations, shipping safely, and scaling your operation—we’re going deep on every aspect. Whether you’re supplementing your eBay or Poshmark sales or building a Marketplace-first business, you’ll walk away with a complete, actionable strategy.

How Facebook Marketplace Works in 2026

Before diving into tactics, let’s make sure you understand how Marketplace actually functions—because it’s evolved significantly since its 2016 launch.

The Basics

Facebook Marketplace is a built-in feature of both the Facebook app and desktop site. Sellers create listings with photos, a title, price, description, category, and condition. Buyers browse those listings in a feed that’s personalized by location, interests, and browsing behavior.

There are two primary selling modes:

• Local pickup — The buyer and seller meet in person to exchange the item for cash or electronic payment. No fees, no shipping, no platform involvement in the transaction.
• Shipped items — The seller ships the item using a prepaid label. Facebook handles the payment, provides buyer/seller protection, and charges a selling fee.

How Listings Get Discovered

When you post a listing, Facebook doesn’t just show it to everyone nearby. The Marketplace algorithm decides who sees it and how prominently it appears. Your listing competes with thousands of others for visibility. The algorithm considers:

• Relevance — Does your listing match what a buyer is searching for?
• Freshness — How recently was the listing posted or renewed?
• Engagement — Are people clicking, saving, or messaging about your listing?
• Seller responsiveness — How quickly do you reply to inquiries?
• Price competitiveness — Is your item priced near what similar items sell for?
• Listing quality — Photo count, description length, and category accuracy

Understanding these factors is the foundation of everything else in this guide. Every optimization we cover ties back to making the algorithm work in your favor.

Marketplace vs. Facebook Shops vs. Groups

Facebook has multiple selling channels, and they serve different purposes:

This guide focuses exclusively on Marketplace. If you’re curious about the Group strategy, check out our Facebook Groups vs Marketplace comparison.

Setting Up Your Profile for Trust & Sales

On Facebook Marketplace, your profile IS your storefront. Buyers check it before committing to meet a stranger or sending payment for a shipped item. A trustworthy-looking profile directly impacts how quickly you sell and the prices buyers are willing to pay.

Profile Photo

Use a clear, friendly headshot. Not a group photo, not your dog, not a logo (unless you’re operating as a business page). Buyers want to see a real person. Profiles with actual headshots receive significantly more responses than those with generic or missing photos.

Real Name vs. Business Name

For most resellers, using your real name works best. Facebook requires real names on personal profiles, and deviating from this can get your account flagged. If you want to operate under a business name, create a Facebook Business Page and link it to Marketplace through Commerce Manager.

Public Profile Information

Consider what buyers see when they click your profile:

• Location — Make sure your city is listed. Buyers want to know you’re nearby for local pickups.
• Join date — Older accounts appear more trustworthy. A brand-new account listing expensive electronics raises red flags.
• Mutual friends — Common connections build instant trust, especially in smaller communities.
• Activity — A profile with regular posts and engagement looks more legitimate than one that was clearly created just to sell.

Marketplace Ratings

Facebook Marketplace has a rating system where buyers and sellers can leave feedback after a transaction. Your rating appears on your profile and impacts buyer confidence.

To build a strong rating:

• Complete transactions as described
• Respond to messages quickly
• Show up to meetups on time
• Be honest about item condition
• Follow through on shipping commitments

A rating below 4.0 stars is a red flag for buyers. Aim for 4.7+ by treating every transaction professionally, even the $10 ones.

Facebook Business Page Option

If you’re doing serious volume (50+ listings active), consider creating a Facebook Business Page linked to your Marketplace listings. Benefits include:

• Separate business identity without exposing your personal profile
• Access to Commerce Manager for inventory management
• Ability to run paid ads and boost listings
• Professional appearance for repeat customers
• Insights and analytics on listing performance

💡 Pro Tip: Even if you sell through a Business Page, keep your personal profile active and polished. Many buyers will still check the personal profile behind a business page to verify legitimacy.

Creating Listings That Sell Fast

The difference between a listing that sells in 2 hours and one that sits for 2 weeks usually comes down to five things: title, photos, description, price, and category. Let’s break each one down.

Title Optimization

Your title is the single most important factor in whether buyers find your listing. Marketplace search works similarly to Google—buyers type in keywords, and results that match those keywords appear.

Title formula: [Brand] + [Product Name] + [Key Attribute] + [Size/Model]

Good titles:

• “Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones - Black”
• “Pottery Barn Comfort Roll Arm Sofa - Ivory Performance Fabric 83 inch”
• “Nike Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Chicago - Size 10.5 - DS”

Bad titles:

• “Headphones for sale”
• “Nice couch must go!!!”
• “Jordans”

Include the words buyers actually search for. Think about what you’d type into the search bar if you were looking for your item. For electronics, include the model number. For furniture, include the brand, style name, color, and dimensions. For clothing and shoes, always include brand, size, and color.

Avoid:

• ALL CAPS (looks spammy)
• Excessive punctuation (!!! or $$)
• Unrelated keywords (keyword stuffing gets listings removed)
• Emojis in titles (they don’t help with search)

Photo Best Practices

Photos sell items on Marketplace. Period. You’re competing with thousands of other listings, and buyers scroll fast. Your photos need to stop the scroll and build confidence that the item matches the description.

Number of photos: Use all available photo slots. Facebook allows up to 10 photos per listing—use at least 6. Listings with more photos consistently sell faster and at higher prices.

What to photograph:

1. Hero shot — Full item, well-lit, clean background. This is your thumbnail.
2. Detail shots — Close-ups of brand labels, model numbers, key features
3. Condition documentation — Any flaws, scratches, wear (builds trust and prevents disputes)
4. Scale reference — Show the item next to a common object for size context
5. Accessories — Include all accessories, manuals, original packaging
6. In-use/styled shot — Show the item in context (furniture in a room, clothing on a hanger)

Lighting: Natural daylight is free and looks best. Shoot near a window or outside on an overcast day. Avoid direct sunlight (harsh shadows) and fluorescent lighting (color distortion). If you shoot at night, invest in a $25-40 LED panel from Amazon.

Background: Clean and uncluttered. A white wall, a clean floor, or a simple backdrop works. Don’t photograph items on a messy bed, cluttered table, or dirty carpet. Buyers judge the item by its surroundings.

Smartphone tips:

• Wipe your camera lens before shooting (fingerprints cause haze)
• Use the back camera, not the selfie camera
• Tap to focus on the item
• Don’t use the zoom (move closer instead)
• Take photos in landscape for furniture and large items, portrait for clothing and small items

💡 Pro Tip: Take a quick 15-second video of the item working (electronics powering on, furniture drawers opening, clothing spinning on a hanger). Facebook allows video in listings, and video dramatically increases engagement and trust.

Description Formula

A good Marketplace description answers every question a buyer might have before they message you. The fewer questions they need to ask, the faster they buy.

Use this structure:

[1-2 sentence hook — what the item is and why it's a good deal]

Condition: [Honest condition assessment]
Dimensions/Size: [Measurements]
Color: [Exact color]
Brand/Model: [Full name and model number]
Included: [Everything that comes with it]

[Additional details — features, age, usage history]

[Any flaws noted — be transparent]

[Pickup/shipping logistics]

Example description for a KitchenAid mixer:

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer in Empire Red. Works perfectly — just upgraded to the Pro model so this one needs a new home.

Condition: Excellent — light surface scratches on the base, motor runs perfectly Model: KSM150PSER Color: Empire Red Included: Mixer, flat beater, dough hook, wire whip, pouring shield

Used for about 2 years, maybe once a week. All attachments in great shape. Weighs about 26 lbs so please bring a helper if you’re picking up.

Available for pickup in [City/Neighborhood]. Can also ship if you prefer.

Don’t:

• Write “you know what it is” (no, they don’t)
• Use “NO LOWBALLERS” in the description (it scares off reasonable buyers too)
• Copy/paste manufacturer descriptions (too generic, doesn’t answer real questions)
• Leave the description blank (worst possible move)

Pricing Psychology

Pricing is where most Marketplace sellers go wrong. Price too high and your listing dies. Price too low and you leave profit on the table. Here’s how to find the sweet spot.

Research before you price:

1. Search Marketplace for the same item in your area — what are others asking?
2. Check eBay sold listings for the item’s actual market value
3. Use Underpriced to instantly check what your item is worth across platforms

Pricing strategies that work:

• Odd pricing — $47 feels like a deal compared to $50. $195 outperforms $200. Use prices ending in 5 or 7.
• Room-to-negotiate pricing — If your target is $100, list at $120. Most Marketplace buyers expect to negotiate 10-20% off the asking price.
• Competitive undercutting — If 5 other people are listing the same item at $80-100, pricing yours at $75 with better photos will generate immediate interest.
• Anchor pricing — Mention the retail/original price in your description. “Retails for $349, selling for $150” makes your price feel like a steal.

Avoid round numbers for items over $50. $95 outperforms $100. $175 outperforms $180. $245 outperforms $250. The psychological difference is larger than the dollar difference.

Category and Condition Selection

Always select the most specific category available. A “Herman Miller Aeron Chair” listed under “Furniture > Office Furniture” will perform better than one listed under just “Furniture” or (worse) “General.”

For condition, be honest but strategic:

Overselling condition (calling something “Like New” when it’s clearly “Good”) is the fastest way to earn negative ratings and deal with buyer complaints.

Facebook Marketplace Fees Breakdown 2026

One of Marketplace’s biggest advantages for resellers is the fee structure—especially for local sales. Here’s exactly what you pay in 2026.

Local Pickup Sales

Fee: $0.00

That’s right—zero. No listing fee, no selling fee, no payment processing fee. When you meet a buyer locally and exchange cash (or Venmo/Zelle), Facebook takes nothing. This is why local Marketplace sales are so attractive for resellers: every dollar of profit is yours.

Shipped Item Sales

When you sell through Facebook’s shipping system, you pay:

• Selling fee: 5% of the sale price (minimum $0.40)
• Payment processing: Included in the 5%
• Shipping label: Deducted from your payout (prepaid label cost varies by weight/distance)

So on a $50 shipped sale, your fee is $2.50. On a $200 shipped sale, your fee is $10.00.

How Marketplace Fees Compare to Other Platforms

This is where Marketplace really shines. Here’s how the shipped item fees stack up against competitors:

For every $100 in sales, Marketplace saves you $8-15 compared to eBay and Mercari, and $15 compared to Poshmark. On shipped items, those savings add up to hundreds or thousands per year.

For local sales? The math is even more dramatic. Zero fees means your entire selling price minus your cost of goods is pure profit.

Want to compare fees on a specific item? Use Underpriced’s Platform Fee Calculator to see exactly what you’d net on each platform after all fees.

💡 Pro Tip: For items worth $50-150 where local demand is strong, always try local Marketplace first. If it doesn’t sell locally in 7-10 days, then list it shipped on Marketplace (5% fee) or crosslist to eBay/Mercari. You’ll keep more profit on every sale.

Local Pickup Strategy: Maximize Profits with Zero Fees

Local pickup is the bread and butter of Facebook Marketplace selling. No shipping costs, no fees, no packaging, no tracking numbers — just meet, exchange, done. But doing it well requires strategy around safety, scheduling, negotiation, and logistics.

Why Local Is King for Resellers

• Zero fees — 100% of the selling price is yours
• Instant payment — Cash in hand, no waiting for payouts
• No shipping costs — Saves $5-20+ per transaction
• No returns — Buyer inspects before paying; transactions are final
• No packaging — Save time and materials
• Same-day turnaround — Source and sell in the same day

For items like furniture, large appliances, and heavy electronics, local is often the only practical option anyway. But even for shippable items, the fee savings make local worth prioritizing.

Meetup Location Safety

Safety is non-negotiable. Never invite a stranger to your home, and never go to a stranger’s home alone.

Best meetup locations:

• Police station parking lots — Many police departments designate “safe exchange zones” with cameras and good lighting. Check your local PD’s website.
• Bank parking lots — Well-lit, camera-monitored, and busy during business hours
• Big-box store parking lots — Walmart, Target, Home Depot — busy, well-lit, and near security cameras
• Coffee shop parking lots — Casual, public, and easy to identify

Safety rules:

1. Always meet in a public, well-lit location
2. Bring a friend for high-value items ($300+)
3. Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back
4. Do meetups during daylight hours when possible
5. Trust your gut — if something feels off, cancel
6. Don’t carry large amounts of cash; use electronic payment when possible
7. Park near the entrance, not in a remote corner of the lot

Scheduling Tips

Poor scheduling kills Marketplace profits through wasted time and no-shows.

• Confirm the day before AND the morning of. A simple “Still good for 2pm at [location]?” dramatically reduces no-shows.
• Batch your meetups. If you have multiple pickups, schedule them at the same location within a 1-2 hour window.
• Offer specific times, not open-ended availability. “I can meet today at 3pm or 5pm at [location]” is better than “I’m free whenever.”
• Don’t hold items without a firm commitment. “I’ll come get it sometime this week” is not a commitment. Ask for a specific day and time.
• Set a 15-minute grace period. If the buyer is more than 15 minutes late with no communication, leave. Your time has value.

Negotiation Scripts for Lowballers

Lowball offers are a reality on Marketplace. About 60-70% of initial offers will be below your asking price. That’s not disrespectful — it’s how the platform works. Having scripts ready keeps you professional and efficient.

When someone offers 50% or less of your asking price:

“Thanks for your interest! The lowest I’d go right now is $[your floor price]. If it’s still available in a week, I may be more flexible. Let me know if that works for you.”

When someone makes a reasonable offer (10-20% below asking):

“I appreciate the offer. I could do $[counter — split the difference]. Can you pick up today?”

When you want to accept but add urgency:

“I can do $[price] if you can pick up today before [time]. Otherwise I’ll keep it at the listed price.”

When you want to stay firm:

“Price is firm on this one — it’s priced to sell. Happy to hold it until [time] if you’d like to grab it.”

The key: always be polite, always counter with a specific number, and always try to close with a pickup time.

Handling No-Shows

No-shows happen to every Marketplace seller. Reduce their impact:

• Never make a special trip for one item. Combine pickups with errands.
• If someone doesn’t show, immediately relist or mark the item available
• Don’t “hold” items for more than 24 hours unless the buyer prepays via Venmo/Zelle
• Keep a mental (or actual) list of reliable buyers and no-show buyers

Cash vs. Electronic Payment

Cash — Still the standard for local Marketplace sales. Benefits: instant, irreversible, no chargebacks. Downside: you need to verify bills aren’t counterfeit on high-value sales. A basic counterfeit detection pen costs $5 and is worth carrying for items over $100.

Venmo/Zelle/Apple Pay — Increasingly common and perfectly fine for most transactions. Benefits: no cash handling, instant transfer, digital receipt. Downside: small risk of chargeback fraud (rare but real).

Do NOT accept:

• Personal checks (too easy to bounce)
• PayPal Friends & Family “I’ll pay you extra” (classic scam)
• Cryptocurrency (unnecessary complexity)
• Any payment method where the buyer wants to overpay and have you refund the difference (always a scam)

Facebook Marketplace Shipping: How It Works

Facebook Marketplace shipping opens up your listings to buyers nationwide. Here’s how the shipped item system works and when it makes sense to use it.

How Shipped Listings Work

1. Create a listing and select “Shipping” as a delivery option (you can offer both local and shipping)
2. Set your price — the buyer pays the listing price plus a shipping fee
3. Buyer purchases — payment is processed through Facebook Pay
4. You receive a prepaid shipping label via email and in the app
5. Pack and ship within 3 business days (ideally within 24-48 hours)
6. Buyer receives item and has 2 days to confirm it’s as described
7. Payout releases to your linked bank account (typically 5-7 business days after delivery confirmation)

Carrier Options and Requirements

Facebook generates USPS, UPS, or FedEx labels depending on package weight and dimensions. You don’t choose the carrier — the system selects the most cost-effective option.

Weight limits and size restrictions:

• Maximum weight: 150 lbs
• Maximum package dimensions: 108 inches (length) / 165 inches (length + girth)
• Most common shipments fall under 20 lbs and use USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground

Shipping Label Costs

The shipping cost varies based on weight, dimensions, and distance. Facebook deducts the label cost from your payout. Typical label costs in 2026:

Tracking and Delivery Confirmation

All shipped items include tracking and delivery confirmation. Facebook tracks the package and updates both buyer and seller through the app. You’re protected from “I never received it” claims as long as tracking shows delivery.

Handling Returns on Shipped Items

Facebook’s Purchase Protection covers shipped items. If a buyer claims the item wasn’t as described:

1. Facebook reviews the claim
2. If approved, the buyer returns the item at their expense
3. Once you receive the return, Facebook processes the refund
4. If the claim is denied, you keep the payment

To protect yourself:

• Photograph items thoroughly before shipping (condition documentation)
• Keep shipping receipts and tracking numbers
• Ship with signature confirmation for items over $100
• Describe condition honestly — the most common dispute is “not as described”

When to Ship vs. When to Sell Local

Ship when:

• The item is lightweight, small, and easy to pack
• Local demand is low (niche items, collectibles, uncommon sizes)
• You can still profit after the 5% fee + shipping costs
• The item sells for significantly more nationwide than locally

Sell local when:

• The item is large, heavy, or fragile
• Local demand is strong (furniture, appliances, everyday items)
• The zero-fee local sale gives you a meaningful profit advantage
• You want instant payment with no return risk

Facebook Marketplace Algorithm: How to Get More Views

The Marketplace algorithm determines whether your listing gets 50 views or 5,000. Understanding how it works gives you a massive advantage over sellers who just “list and hope.”

What the Algorithm Rewards

1. Freshness New listings get a visibility boost for the first 24-48 hours. This is your golden window. Make sure your listing is fully optimized BEFORE you publish — don’t post a rough draft and edit later.

2. Seller Response Rate and Speed Facebook tracks how quickly you respond to buyer messages. Sellers who reply within 15 minutes or less get significantly more visibility than those who take hours. Set up Messenger notifications and respond promptly, even if it’s just “Hi! Yes, it’s still available. Are you interested?”

3. Engagement Signals When buyers click on your listing, save it, share it, or message you about it, the algorithm interprets these as positive signals and shows your listing to more people. High-quality photos and competitive pricing drive engagement.

4. Price Competitiveness The algorithm knows what similar items are listed for. If your price is significantly above the market, you’ll get suppressed. If your price is competitive or below market, you’ll get boosted.

5. Listing Completeness Listings with all fields filled out (category, condition, description, multiple photos) perform better than minimal listings. Fill out every available field.

6. Seller History Accounts with positive ratings, completed transactions, and consistent activity get an algorithmic advantage over new or inactive accounts.

Renewing and Relisting Tactics

After 7-10 days, your listing’s visibility drops significantly. Here’s how to revive it:

• Renew: Use the “Renew Listing” option (available every 7 days). This bumps your listing back up without creating a new one.
• Relist: Delete the old listing and create a fresh one. This gives you a full “new listing” boost. Use this for items that have been sitting for 2+ weeks.
• Price drop: Reducing the price by even $5-10 can trigger a notification to people who saved your listing and boost visibility.
• Photo refresh: Swap in new photos when relisting. Different thumbnail = different impression on repeat browsers.

💡 Pro Tip: Set a relisting schedule. Every Sunday evening, review any listing older than 7 days: renew, relist with new photos, or drop the price. Consistent maintenance keeps your inventory visible.

Best Times to Post

Marketplace activity peaks at specific times. Posting during high-traffic windows gets your listing in front of more eyeballs during that critical first-24-hour window.

Optimal posting times (local time):

• Weekday evenings: 6pm - 9pm (people browse after work/dinner)
• Saturday morning: 8am - 11am (weekend browsing and shopping mode)
• Sunday evening: 5pm - 8pm (planning the week ahead)

Worst posting times:

• Weekday mornings (people are commuting/working)
• Late night (low visibility, listing is stale by morning)
• Friday night (people are out, not shopping)

Boosting Listings: When It’s Worth It

Facebook lets you boost Marketplace listings with paid advertising, starting around $1-5/day. Is it worth it?

Boost when:

• You have a high-margin item that hasn’t sold in a week
• You’re in a competitive area with many similar listings
• The item is time-sensitive (seasonal, trending)
• Your profit margin can absorb a $5-20 ad spend

Don’t boost when:

• The item is priced under $50 (ad cost eats your margin)
• You haven’t optimized photos and description first (fix the listing before paying for eyeballs)
• You’re in a small market where organic reach is already high

A $5 boost for 3 days on a $200 item is usually worthwhile. A $5 boost on a $20 item never is.

What Sells Best on Facebook Marketplace

Not everything sells well on Marketplace. Understanding which categories perform best (and which don’t) helps you focus your energy where the money is.

Top-Performing Categories

Furniture — The Marketplace Sweet Spot Furniture is Facebook Marketplace’s strongest category. Local pickup eliminates shipping logistics that make furniture difficult on other platforms.

• Dining tables and chair sets: $100-$500 (source at $20-100)
• Mid-century modern pieces: $150-$800 (source at $30-150)
• Office desks and chairs: $75-$400 (source at $15-80)
• Bedroom sets: $200-$1,000 (source at $50-200)
• Typical margins: 150-400%

Electronics Used electronics move fast on Marketplace, especially when priced 30-50% below retail.

• iPhones (1-2 generations old): $300-$700 (source at $150-400)
• Gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox, Switch): $200-$400 (source at $100-250)
• Laptops: $200-$600 (source at $100-300)
• AirPods, headphones: $50-$150 (source at $20-80)
• Typical margins: 40-100%

Baby Gear Parents are always looking for deals on gear their kids will outgrow in months.

• UPPAbaby strollers: $200-$600 (source at $50-200)
• High chairs: $50-$150 (source at $10-40)
• Cribs and changing tables: $75-$250 (source at $20-75)
• Baby swings and bouncers: $30-$100 (source at $5-25)
• Typical margins: 150-300%

Sporting Goods Seasonal demand drives strong Marketplace sales for sporting equipment.

• Peloton bikes: $500-$1,000 (source at $200-500)
• Golf club sets: $100-$400 (source at $30-100)
• Treadmills and ellipticals: $200-$600 (source at $50-200)
• Kayaks and paddleboards: $200-$600 (source at $50-200)
• Typical margins: 100-300%

Vehicles & Auto Parts Cars, trucks, and auto parts are Marketplace’s largest revenue category. Even if you’re not selling vehicles, auto parts are consistently profitable.

• OEM wheels and tires: $200-$800/set (source at $50-200)
• Truck accessories (tonneau covers, toolboxes): $100-$400 (source at $25-100)
• Car audio systems: $50-$300 (source at $15-80)

Appliances Large appliances are perfect for Marketplace because they’re impossible to ship affordably.

• Washer/dryer sets: $300-$700 (source at $50-200)
• Refrigerators: $200-$600 (source at $50-150)
• Dishwashers: $100-$300 (source at $25-75)
• Typical margins: 200-400%

Categories That Struggle on Marketplace

Clothing — Marketplace isn’t ideal for clothing unless it’s highly branded or local demand is strong. Buyers prefer platforms like Poshmark, Depop, and eBay for clothing because of better search, size filters, and authentication. Exception: luxury/designer pieces can sell well locally to avoid shipping fees.

Books — Too low-value for most Marketplace transactions. Better suited for Amazon FBA.

Handmade/Craft items — Marketplace buyers expect bargain pricing. Etsy is a better fit for handmade goods.

Use Underpriced’s Flip Profit Calculator to run the numbers on specific items before you list them. Know your margin before you set your price.

Avoiding Scams & Staying Safe

Facebook Marketplace attracts scammers who target both buyers and sellers. Recognizing the most common scams protects your money, your identity, and your personal safety.

Common Scams Targeting Sellers

The Fake Payment Screenshot A buyer claims they’ve sent payment via Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp and sends a screenshot as “proof.” The screenshot is edited or fabricated. They ask you to hand over the item before you verify the payment actually landed in your account.

How to protect yourself: ALWAYS verify payment in your actual bank/Venmo/Zelle app before handing over any item. Never trust a screenshot.

The “I’ll Send a Courier” Scam A buyer says they want the item but can’t pick it up — they’ll send a friend, Uber driver, or courier. They ask for your address or want to pay via a link they send you.

How to protect yourself: This is almost always a scam. Legitimate buyers pick up items themselves or bring someone they know. If someone wants to send a courier, insist on full payment confirmed in your account before releasing the item.

The Overpayment/Refund Scam A buyer “accidentally” sends you more than the asking price (via check, PayPal, or fake Zelle notification) and asks you to refund the difference. The original payment is fraudulent and will bounce, but your refund is real money leaving your account.

How to protect yourself: Never refund overpayments. If someone sends more than the agreed price, wait several days for the payment to fully clear — or simply refuse and ask them to send the correct amount.

The Zelle/CashApp Business Account Scam A buyer claims they can only pay via Zelle but says the payment won’t go through because you need a “business account.” They send a fake email or text from “Zelle” asking you to pay a fee to upgrade. The fee goes to the scammer.

How to protect yourself: Zelle never requires an account upgrade. This is 100% a scam. Block and report.

The Counterfeit Cash Scam For high-value items sold for cash, some buyers pay with counterfeit bills.

How to protect yourself: For items over $100, bring a counterfeit detection pen. For items over $500, consider meeting at or near a bank where you can verify bills.

Red Flags to Watch For

Block and move on if a buyer exhibits any of these behaviors:

• 🚩 New Facebook account with no profile photo or friends
• 🚩 Asks to move communication off Facebook Messenger (to email, WhatsApp, or text)
• 🚩 Offers to pay more than your asking price
• 🚩 Sends payment links or asks you to click a link
• 🚩 Pressures you to ship before payment clears
• 🚩 Wants your home address for a “courier pickup”
• 🚩 Claims the item is a gift and needs it shipped urgently
• 🚩 Poor grammar combined with overly eager purchasing behavior

Facebook’s Purchase Protection Program

For shipped items processed through Facebook’s payment system, Purchase Protection covers:

• Items not received
• Items significantly not as described
• Damaged items
• Unauthorized purchases

This protection does NOT cover local pickup transactions, items bought through direct payment (Venmo, cash), or items shipped outside of Facebook’s system.

Documentation Practices

Protect yourself with documentation for every high-value transaction:

1. Screenshot all message conversations before meetup
2. Photograph items immediately before handoff (timestamp included)
3. If accepting electronic payment, don’t hand over the item until funds show in your account
4. Save shipping receipts and tracking confirmations
5. For items over $200, consider filming the meetup (let the buyer know)

Negotiation Mastery on Facebook Marketplace

Negotiation is baked into Marketplace culture. Unlike eBay (where the listing price is the price) or Poshmark (where offers have formal structure), Marketplace negotiations happen in free-form Messenger conversations. Mastering this gets you faster sales at better prices.

Why Lowballs Are Just Part of the Game

Approximately 70% of Marketplace buyers will offer less than your asking price. This isn’t disrespectful — it’s how the platform works. Marketplace attracts bargain-hunters, and the culture normalizes haggling. If you take every lowball personally, you’ll spend more time being frustrated than making money.

The key mindset shift: Price your items knowing that negotiation will happen. Build 15-20% negotiation room into your listing price.

Setting Expectations in Your Listing

Include subtle pricing signals in your description:

• “Price is firm” — Use sparingly, only when you’re truly at your floor
• “Some room to negotiate for quick pickup” — Invites reasonable offers
• “Price reflects condition and market value” — Signals you’ve done your research

Counter-Offer Templates

Having templates ready makes negotiations efficient:

Soft counter (for offers within 15% of your target):

“Thanks for the interest! That’s a bit lower than I was hoping. Could you do $[your counter]? I can have it ready for pickup today.”

Firm counter (for offers 20-40% below asking):

“I appreciate the offer, but the lowest I can go is $[floor price]. That’s well below retail and priced to sell quickly.”

Bundle counter (to increase your average sale):

“I could do $[reduced price] if you’re also interested in [related item you have listed]. I’d do both for $[bundle price] — saves you money and saves me a second meetup.”

The “Firm Price” Strategy

Some items don’t need negotiation room. If you’re priced at market value and confident in the item’s desirability, list it at your target price and state “Price is firm.” This works best for:

• In-demand electronics priced competitively
• Items with heavy engagement (lots of saves/messages)
• Anything priced under $30 (not worth negotiating over $3)

Bundling to Increase Average Sale Value

When a buyer messages about one item, check if they’d be interested in anything else you’re selling. Offering a multi-item discount accomplishes two things:

1. Higher total revenue per meetup
2. Faster inventory turnover

“Grabbing the end table for $60? I also have a matching lamp for $25. I’d do both for $75 if interested.”

When to Accept Low Offers

Sometimes accepting a lower-than-ideal offer is the right business decision:

• High holding costs — Large items taking up storage space
• Seasonal items past peak — Winter gear in March, pool equipment in October
• Items listed 30+ days — The market has spoken; your price is too high
• You need cash flow — Moving inventory funds your next sourcing run

Track what you paid for each item and know your floor price. Use Underpriced’s Offer Acceptance Calculator to calculate whether a low offer still generates acceptable profit after all costs.

Scaling Your Facebook Marketplace Business

Once you’re consistently selling on Marketplace, the next step is building systems that let you sell more with less effort per transaction.

Managing Multiple Listings

At 20+ active listings, you need a system:

• Spreadsheet or app tracking — Track every item: what you paid, what it’s listed for, when you posted it, and current status
• Naming convention — Use consistent titles (Brand first, then product, then key details) so you can quickly find items in your Marketplace dashboard
• Photos organized by item — Create a folder for each item with all photos and the listing details. When you need to relist, everything’s ready.
• Status updates — Mark items as “listed,” “messaged,” “pending pickup,” and “sold” so you always know where each item stands

Inventory Photography Workflow

Batch your photography to save time:

1. Source multiple items during one outing
2. Clean and prep all items at once
3. Set up a photo area with consistent lighting and background
4. Photograph everything in one session (aim for 15-20 items per hour)
5. List everything in one batch, ideally during peak posting times

A dedicated photo area — even just a clean corner with a white backdrop and LED light — saves enormous time compared to setting up and tearing down for each item.

Relisting Schedule

Implement a weekly maintenance routine:

• Monday: Review listings older than 7 days. Renew or relist with new photos.
• Wednesday: Drop prices on items older than 14 days by 10-15%
• Friday: Evaluate items older than 30 days — relist at aggressive price, bundle, or move to another platform
• Weekend: Post new inventory during peak hours

Tracking Profits

Revenue isn’t profit. You need to track:

• Cost of goods
• Gas/mileage for sourcing and meetups
• Packaging materials (for shipped items)
• Facebook boost spending (if any)
• Platform fees (shipped items)
• Time invested (set an internal hourly rate)

Use Underpriced’s ROI Calculator to calculate your true return on investment per item and category. Knowing which categories generate the best ROI per hour of effort helps you focus on what matters.

Crosslisting Alongside Other Platforms

Marketplace shouldn’t be your only selling channel. The smartest resellers list items on multiple platforms simultaneously:

• Large, local-only items → Marketplace + OfferUp + Craigslist
• Clothing → Poshmark + Mercari + eBay (then Marketplace as a secondary)
• Electronics → eBay + Marketplace (shipped) + Mercari
• Collectibles → eBay + Whatnot + niche groups

When an item sells on one platform, immediately mark it sold/delete it on others to avoid double-selling. If you scale to 50+ active listings across platforms, consider crosslisting software like Vendoo or List Perfectly.

For guidance on managing multiple platforms, check out our guide on reselling on multiple platforms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After reviewing thousands of Marketplace listings, these are the most costly mistakes we see resellers make:

1. Bad Photos

The #1 listing killer. Blurry photos, poor lighting, cluttered backgrounds, only 1-2 images — all of these reduce views and kill buyer confidence. Spend an extra 3 minutes on photos and watch your sell-through rate jump.

2. Overpricing Without Research

“I paid $300 for this 5 years ago” is not a pricing strategy. What matters is what the item sells for TODAY on the secondary market. Check sold listings, check Marketplace comps, and use Underpriced to verify current market values before setting your price.

3. Slow Response Times

The Marketplace algorithm penalizes slow responders, and buyers message multiple sellers simultaneously. If you take 6 hours to respond, the buyer has already purchased from someone else. Set up Messenger notifications and aim to respond within 30 minutes during waking hours.

4. Meeting at Your Home

Never reveal your home address to strangers. This seems obvious, but a surprising number of sellers list pickup as “my house” and share their address freely. Always meet in a public location.

5. Accepting Unusual Payment Methods

Stick to cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Apple Pay for local sales. If a buyer insists on paying by check, money order, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, decline. These are either scam vectors or introduce unnecessary risk.

6. Not Tracking Profit and Loss

Selling $5,000/month on Marketplace means nothing if your costs are $4,800. Track every purchase price, every sale price, and every associated cost. Without this data, you can’t know which categories are working and which are bleeding money.

7. Ignoring Item Condition Honesty

Describing a scratched item as “perfect condition” leads to buyer complaints, returns on shipped items, and negative ratings. Being honest about flaws actually builds trust and reduces post-sale issues.

8. Never Relisting or Renewing

The algorithm buries old listings. An item listed 30 days ago with the same photos and price is essentially invisible. Relist regularly with fresh photos and adjusted pricing.

Facebook Marketplace vs. Other Platforms

Every platform has strengths. Here’s how Marketplace stacks up for different use cases:

When to Use Each Platform

• Facebook Marketplace — Large items, local sales, anything where zero fees make the difference. Your first stop for furniture, appliances, and heavy items.
• eBay — Niche collectibles, electronics, anything that benefits from a global audience and auction format. Read our complete eBay selling guide.
• Poshmark — Clothing, shoes, and accessories (especially women’s fashion). The sharing and social features drive discovery. See our Poshmark selling guide.
• Mercari — Good all-rounder for shipped items under $100. Lower fees than eBay, simpler than Poshmark.
• OfferUp — Similar to Marketplace but smaller audience. Good as a secondary local channel. Check out our OfferUp & Craigslist guide.
• Craigslist — Still relevant for vehicles, tools, and high-value items where buyers want no-platform transactions.

The best resellers don’t choose one platform — they use multiple platforms strategically, leading with the one that gives them the best combination of audience, fees, and speed for each specific item.

Conclusion: Build Your Marketplace Strategy

Facebook Marketplace isn’t just a place to offload your old couch — it’s a legitimate selling channel that, when optimized, can generate serious and consistent income for resellers. The combination of massive audience, zero local fees, and low shipped-item fees makes it one of the most profitable platforms available.

Here’s what to focus on:

1. Set up your profile for trust — Real photo, real information, strong ratings
2. Optimize every listing — Keyword-rich titles, 6+ quality photos, detailed descriptions, strategic pricing
3. Master the algorithm — Post during peak hours, respond fast, relist regularly
4. Prioritize local sales — Zero fees = maximum profit
5. Stay safe — Public meetups, verified payments, documented transactions
6. Track everything — Know your costs, know your margins, cut what doesn’t work
7. Scale systematically — Batch photos, schedule relists, crosslist to other platforms

Use Underpriced to instantly check what your items are worth before listing them on Facebook Marketplace. Our AI-powered price lookup and free reselling tools help you make smarter selling decisions across every platform — from calculating fees to evaluating offers to tracking your true ROI.

The sellers who win on Marketplace aren’t the ones with the most inventory — they’re the ones with the best systems. Build yours, and the sales will follow.