Facebook Marketplace can be a goldmine. I’ve found incredible deals on furniture, electronics, and pretty much everything else. But it can also be a minefield where sellers price items way above their actual value, hoping someone doesn’t do their homework.
Here’s the thing: sellers on Marketplace aren’t stupid. Many of them know exactly what psychological tricks work to get people to overpay. Once you learn to spot these patterns, you’ll never fall for them again.
Sign #1: The “Retail Price Was $X” Anchor
You’ve seen this one a hundred times:
“Paid $400 at Best Buy last year, asking $350. Great deal!”
This is anchoring. The seller is trying to make you think about the $400 number so $350 seems reasonable by comparison.
Here’s the problem: retail price is irrelevant for used items. What matters is:
- Current market value
- Actual condition
- Whether you could find it cheaper elsewhere
That $400 TV might sell for $150 on eBay all day long. The fact that someone overpaid at Best Buy doesn’t mean you should overpay on Marketplace.
What to do: Ignore the “original price” completely. Research what the item actually sells for used, right now, in similar condition.
Sign #2: Urgency Language That Feels Forced
“Won’t last!” “Priced to sell TODAY” “First come first serve, tons of interest!”
Real urgency exists sometimes. Popular items at genuinely good prices do get snatched up fast.
But fake urgency is everywhere. Sellers use it to pressure you into buying before you think too hard or do research.
Red flags within the red flag:
- The item has been listed for weeks (you can see this on the listing)
- The price hasn’t dropped despite “tons of interest”
- They’re pushing you to commit before seeing it in person
What to do: Never rush. If it’s a good deal today, it’ll still be a good deal tomorrow after you’ve done your research. If the seller can’t wait 24 hours, something’s off.
Sign #3: Suspiciously Professional Photos
Regular people selling their stuff take regular photos. You know the type: slightly blurry, random background, maybe a dog in the corner.
When you see perfectly staged product photography on Marketplace, be suspicious.
Some possibilities:
- They’re using stock photos (item might not match)
- They’re a business pretending to be an individual (markup)
- They flipped the item themselves and know exactly what it’s worth
None of these are necessarily bad, but they change the dynamic. A person clearing out their garage doesn’t have a lightbox setup.
What to do: Always ask for additional photos, especially of any flaws or wear. Legitimate sellers have no problem snapping a few more pics.
Sign #4: The Price Hasn’t Moved in Weeks
Marketplace shows you when items were listed. Use this information.
If something has been listed for 3+ weeks at the same price, the seller is either:
- Not motivated to sell
- Priced way too high and hoping someone bites
- Getting offers and rejecting all of them
In any case, this tells you there’s room to negotiate. The market has spoken, and the market said “nope.”
What to do: Make an offer 20-30% below asking. Worst case, they say no. But often these sellers eventually get tired of relisting and take what they can get.
Sign #5: Defensive Responses to Basic Questions
You ask “What’s the lowest you’ll take?” or “Any scratches or issues I should know about?”
They respond with attitude. Something like “Price is firm” or “I know what I have” or just… hostility.
This defensiveness usually means one of two things:
- They know they’re overpriced and don’t want to discuss it
- They’re hiding problems with the item
Either way, it’s a sign you should walk away.
Good sellers answer questions directly. They’re honest about flaws because they want the transaction to go smoothly. They’re open to reasonable negotiation because they want to actually sell the item.
What to do: If a seller gets defensive before you’ve even made an offer, thank them for their time and move on. There are other sellers.
Bonus: The “Just Got It” Claim
“Just bought this last month, selling because I’m moving.”
Sometimes true. Often not.
If someone just bought something and is now selling it for a slight loss, that’s normal moving/life change behavior.
If they’re trying to sell it for what they paid or more? Why wouldn’t they just return it to the store?
This claim is often used to make an item seem newer or better maintained than it is. “Just got it” could mean anything.
What to do: Ask for the receipt or original purchase confirmation. Legitimate sellers usually still have it if the purchase was recent.
How to Actually Verify a Price Is Fair
Instead of looking for red flags (reactive), here’s how to proactively check if you’re getting a fair deal:
Step 1: eBay Sold Listings
Search for the exact item on eBay. Filter by “Sold Items.” This shows you what people actually paid, not what sellers are asking.
If Marketplace price > eBay solds, you’re probably overpaying.
Step 2: Facebook Marketplace Comps
Search the same item on Marketplace in your area. See what others are asking. If the listing you’re looking at is the highest price, that’s telling.
Step 3: Google Shopping
Search “[item name] price” and see what new prices look like. If the used price is more than 60-70% of new, you’re often better off buying new with warranty.
Step 4: Use a Deal Analyzer
Tools like Underpriced let you take a screenshot of the listing and get an instant analysis with a deal score. It does all this research automatically and tells you if the price is fair.
Takes 10 seconds versus 10 minutes of manual research.
The Golden Rule
Here it is, the one thing to remember:
A good deal can wait for verification. A bad deal relies on you not verifying.
Any seller pressuring you to act now, getting defensive about questions, or making the price seem better through comparison tricks is probably not offering a good deal.
Real deals don’t need tricks. They sell themselves.
Take your time. Do your research. And never let FOMO make your buying decisions.
Quick Reference Checklist
Before buying anything on Marketplace, run through this:
- Researched actual sold prices (not asking prices)
- Asked for real photos (not stock images)
- Checked how long it’s been listed
- Asked about any issues or flaws
- Got a straight answer to basic questions
- Calculated if it’s actually cheaper than buying new/elsewhere
- Slept on it if it’s a significant purchase
If any of these give you pause, trust your gut. There’s always another listing.