There
are several reasons why you might desire to sell some of your household things.
Perhaps you purchased a piece of furniture online that does not match the decor
of your living space. Or maybe you want to enhance your entertainment system.
Or perhaps you're in the process of downsizing, decluttering, or spring
cleaning and are wondering how to free up more room. Whatever your reasons, the
items you wish to get rid of don't have to wind up in storage or on the curb.
If they're in decent shape, you can make some money by selling them on a
reputable third-party marketplace. Continue reading to learn our best-selling
strategies on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, including how to submit
eye-catching ads and safely make a deal.
There are Seven (7) different methods to generate money on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
Selling
on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace isn't as simple as uploading a photo and
negotiating a deal – the best listings have a plan that helps them get traction
and awareness. Remember these three ideas while learning how to sell on
Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace: Correctly price your things, take well-lit
and clear images, and add as many pertinent facts as possible in your
description.
Conduct Product Research and Pricing
Whether
you're selling a high-end mid-century contemporary couch or a low-cost table
lamp, it's critical to do your homework and price your things accurately. Check
the pricing of comparable items on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and
other major reseller platforms in addition to the original price from the
manufacturer's site (regardless of whether or not you initially purchased the
item at full value). This will allow you to price your products profitably and
competitively. Make a spreadsheet and record the following:
•
The
lowest price you see online
•
The
highest price you see online
•
The
going retail price of a brand-new product
Following that, you
should reflect on the following:
• How recent is this
item? (When was it produced, and has its worth decreased or grown since?)
• Is my item damaged
in any way? If so, how serious or minor are the damages? How much is the
function and/or aesthetics affected? Are there any missing parts or extras, such cords?
You
should place your offering price closer to the "low" range or
"high" range you highlighted in your spreadsheet, depending on your
responses to the aforementioned questions. Price often a little bit more than
you anticipate selling it for; in Facebook Marketplace, a "make
offer" option enables buyers to haggle. If you don't mind making the
delivery personally, think about charging a delivery fee and deciding how far
you're prepared to drive.
Select the Proper Platform
Not
all platforms are appropriate for all kinds of products. Selling on Craigslist
could be more successful if you're selling bigger things, like furniture. On
the other hand, smaller products like apparel, jewelry, and collectibles
typically do better on Facebook Marketplace and eBay. If you're not getting
much attention on one site, it never hurts to offer your item there as well.
Related Post
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Take Crisp, Interesting Pictures
The
most important Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace advice we can give is on the
caliber of your images. Both platforms are photo streams of goods for sale,
thus your images need to catch the buyer's eye right away as they are their
first impression. You don't have to hire a photographer or whip out your DSLR,
but you should make sure that your pictures are sharp, well-lit, and in focus.
If the images from your smartphone are distorted or blurry, ask a buddy to
assist you in taking some photographs.
Here are some
pointers for taking striking pictures:
• Incorporate as much
natural light as you can
• Place your products
in front of a background with little to no clutter, such as a wall (you want
the object for sale to be the center of attention)
• Clean your product
as thoroughly as possible before use (wiping away any dust and fingerprints,
giving any wood items a quick polish)
• Take pictures at
various distances and from different perspectives (several close-ups and
several full-body shots)
Remember
that each ad on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist may have a maximum of 10
photographs, so be sure to include at least three distinct views. Be truthful
and take close-up pictures if there are any flaws. Use your phone's
"mark-up" tool to add a text overlay detailing the flaws if you want
to go the additional mile, or just mention in the description that "the
final (three) photographs indicate small flaws/blemishes."
Be Sincere
This
is related to the earlier point about not sharing the original Pottery Barn or
West Elm images. If an object no longer seems that way, you should start with
an authentic, recent image.
Additionally,
let the buyer know if the sofa smells like a dog or if a large portion of a
dresser's leg is missing. Yes, it will deter some individuals. However, that
might be preferable to them finding you lying when they arrive at your place.
Compose a Catchy Title and Description
Spend
some time developing an engaging headline and description for your listing to
avoid needless back-and-forth with potential buyers and to make it appear
credible. Before you create your headline, consider how customers would search
for the product (and foresee a few things they might want to know). If you're
not a copy genius, don't worry; it only needs to be clear and instructive; it
doesn't need to be catchy. Consider stating, "Comfortable Black & Gray
Kardiel Nordic Fusion Sofa, 83", LIKE NEW, instead of "Kardiel Nordic
Couch."
Include
as many pertinent facts about the product as possible in the description of
your posts, such as the item's condition, a description of it, its
specifications, and the best way for a potential buyer to get in touch with you.
Anywhere from two to six sentences should do the task; frequently, short and
sweet is preferable. This doesn't have to be an entire list.
Add Search Tags
You
may put your products in a broad "category" on Facebook Marketplace
to make it easier for customers to locate what they're looking for, but don't
forget about the "search tags" feature. You'll boost the likelihood
that the correct purchasers will see your post when you tag your listings with
pertinent search terms. Consider adding tags like "antique,"
"credenza," "wood," "vintage," etc. if you're
selling an antique credenza, for instance.
Bringing in the Sale Safely
Selling
on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace requires some negotiating because many
potential customers can decide to ghost you or refuse to make a reasonable
offer. To set up a pick-up or drop-off details, collect the prospect's complete
name and phone number once you've secured their business. If you don't want to
give your personal information, you may use a proxy email address and a free
Google Voice number.
You
have a few alternatives for setting up a secure meeting place. To deliver the
item personally, think about taking a buddy along. Alternatively, you may swap
the item in a public area like a park. If the buyer prefers to see you, prepare
the item in your garage or driveway before they arrive, and bring a buddy along
to assist with the inspection and transaction. For your own security, always
meet during the day, and only accept cash payments. PayPal or Venmo are viable
options if you're at ease, but only if they pay you the money in advance or
right away.
After the Sale
Congratulations,
you've just sold something on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist! Don't forget
to take down the listing from the platform(s) it was put on after you've found
a new home for your stuff. There is no need to remove and republish your
listing if your customer ended up backing out for any reason and the item is
still in your possession. Just "refresh" it to make it more visible.
There may already be a line of interested purchasers waiting in your direct
messages.
Conclusion
I really hope that this in-depth guide will enable you to begin selling on Facebook and Craigslist Marketplace! If you've had success on Facebook before, please leave your best tips in the comments.
