A step by step guide on how to sell the furniture you no longer need on Facebook Marketplace and tips to a headache free fast sale!
Why sell your furniture on Facebook Marketplace?
As homeowners or renters, we all have times when we need to get rid of our old furniture. Whether you are moving to a new place and no longer need certain furniture pieces, or you are upgrading existing furniture to something better, finding an easy way to sell is a great way to recoup your original expense and let someone else benefit from a functional furniture piece.
Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to platform for buying and selling goods, and it’s especially great for selling furniture. I have sold tons of furniture, both large and small, through Facebook Marketplace. In fact, I’m a proud 5-star seller there with a “Highly rated on Marketplace” badge.
So in this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to successfully sell your furniture on Facebook Marketplace. Let’s get started!
How to get started on Facebook Marketplace
If you’re new to using Facebook Marketplace, the first step is to create or log in to your Facebook account. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to set one up. Simply visit www.facebook.com or use their mobile app, and follow the prompts to create your account.
Once you’re logged in, locate the Marketplace icon. On the Facebook app, you’ll usually find it represented by a storefront icon at the bottom of the screen. If you’re using the website, look for it in the left-hand sidebar.
Clicking on the “Create New Listing” button within Facebook Marketplace will allow you to initiate a new listing. This prompts you to select the type of item you’re selling. I like to use their search function to quickly locate my furniture categories.
Next, you’ll need to add clear, high-quality photos of the furniture you’re selling. Provide all the necessary details, including the title, price, location, and a thorough description. Be as informative as possible to attract potential buyers.
You’ll also have the option to set your price as firm or negotiable, as well as decide if you want to provide shipping to your listings. For furniture, most likely you’ll want to stick with local pickup only.
When you’re satisfied, click “Publish” to make your listing live.
Congratulations, you’re now ready to start selling your furniture on Facebook Marketplace!
Tips to sell your furniture on Facebook Marketplace fast
Here are 5 steps you can implement today to sell your second hand furniture fast on Facebook Marketplace. Within each step, I’ve provided some tips to help you sell furniture more successfully after years of experience on Facebook Marketplace.
Start with attractive photos
Clean and prepare your furniture for photos
Before listing your furniture, give it a thorough clean and address any maintenance needs. A well-maintained piece will be more appealing to potential buyers. If a piece is beyond your ability to repair, that’s okay, just make sure to mention that in the listing description. There are tons of buyers on Facebook Marketplace who are looking to upcycle beat-up furniture.
I also recommend that you style your furniture a little bit. Whenever possible, I try to make it look like it is displayed in a store, instead of an unloved piece that is accumulating dust in a dirty garage.
Take quality photos
Good photos are crucial for attracting buyers. Make sure your furniture is well-lit and positioned to show it off in the best possible way. Take shots from different angles to give a complete view. If there are beautiful details you want to highlight, take some closeup pictures!
Uploading tips
When uploading images to your listing, upload the most attractive photo first. The first image you upload will be the hero image, which serves as a thumbnail. The better the photo highlighting your furniture, the more impressions you’ll get from Facebook Marketplace and the easier it will be to sell.
Nowadays, every platform seems to favor video, and so does Facebook Marketplace. While you are taking photos of your second-hand furniture, consider taking a video to go along with it. This might help your listing get an algorithm boost!
Accompany by detailed listing information:
Informative title
An informative title can make a big difference. Be descriptive of what your furniture is and what room it serves. Sometimes a furniture piece can be called in different ways, try to choose the word that is the most common and that’d ensure when people search that keyword, they’ll find your furniture listing.
Detailed description
Provide potential buyers with as much information as possible. After all, you don’t want to answer the same questions from buyers over and over again.
Also highlight key features of your furniture. Sometimes I like to say why I’m selling this piece, so they don’t wonder if there’s any hidden problem with my furniture.
For selling furniture, it is important to include dimensions, materials, and any wear and tear. The more transparent you are, the smoother the transaction process will be.
Setting the Right Price:
Researching market prices
If it is your first time selling a type of furniture, you might have no idea how much it should go for in a second-hand market. The best way to do this is to take a look at similar listings to get an idea of what similar furniture is selling for. Check the design, material, condition and determine how much you want to sell for your price.
I generally like to price my second hand, good condition furniture at ⅓-½ of the purchase price. But sometimes I’d go lower if I’m eager to get rid of it.
The lower price you set, the more inquiries you’ll get. If you don’t like to lower the price too much, that’s okay, just be patient and wait for the right buyer to come 🙂
Managing Inquiries and Closing the Deal:
To get your furniture sold fast and just in general be a good seller on Facebook Marketplace, here are some tips to help you:
Communicating with buyers
When potential buyers message you, try to respond promptly. This shows you’re engaged and serious about making a sale. This also helps you to find the potential buyer faster.
When you price your furniture at a good deal, you’ll get a lot more inquiries. There are buyers who are ready to buy, and there are others who are just considering. However, furniture is a large piece, so it is not possible to meet in a public space. I will only send them the address when they are ready to head out for pickup. This way I’m not sending my home address to a random stranger who may not show up to pick up my furniture.
Dealing with hagglers
Some buyers will haggle the price and that is okay! If you are not comfortable with their offered price yet, I recommend you wait a few days to gauge the interest before lowering your price.
Arranging viewings and negotiations
If negotiations occur, be willing to compromise. For large and expensive furniture, I also offer them to come to see the piece, so they don’t have to commit to buying it yet without seeing.
Agree with payment methods ahead of time
Decide on a payment method that works for both parties. Cash is a common choice, but digital payments such as Venmo can also be secure options. I generally prefer to be paid by Venmo as I don’t like to handle cash.
The reason I’d like to agree on the payment method ahead of time is: 1. If your buyer doesn’t have change, it is better you prepare for that instead of trying to find change while meeting in person. 2. When you do Venmo, sometimes a buyer will pay you ahead of the pickup to hold the item, which is beneficial for both parties.
How to sell your furniture on facebook marketplace summary
Selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace can be a seamless process with the right strategy and mindset. By following these tips, you’ll be right on your way to purging furniture you no longer need and getting some cash in return.
The key is to approach each step with patience and a friendly demeanor. This will not only help you sell your furniture, but also leave a positive impression on potential buyers and improve your ratings on the platform too.
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