Secondhand finds I’ve driven all over to get my hands on from Facebook Marketplace sellers. And why it’s worth it.
As a geriatric millennial, I still have a Facebook account. While I rarely look at my feed because it’s a churning cauldron of conspiracy theories, I am a BIG fan of the Facebook Marketplace tab. If you haven’t experienced it, Marketplace is a buying/selling platform that’s basically a more user-friendly version of Craigslist. Plus, sellers and buyers are identified (by their profile name, with their profile linked), so you’re not totally in the dark about who’ll be on the other side of the deal.
Marketplace is organized by categories (furniture, outdoor, clothing, antiques, etc.) and searchable. I sit on the couch and “watch TV” while scrolling through the categories at least once a day. And there are certain searches I always do, just in case I find a gem. “Wicker chairs” for example.
Why go to the trouble of buying from people instead of businesses?
- Price: Believe it or not, about 40% of the items I see listed on Facebook Marketplace are brand new in the box or very, very gently used. My rule is if it’s clean or easy to clean and undamaged, it’s fair game. In my experience, you can save hundreds by buying secondhand. For example, display cabinets are all over interior design Instagram accounts right now. I wanted one for my home office, but didn’t have $500-$5,000 to spend on a cabinet. Problem solved for $40 and short drive to pick up.
2. Sustainability: Every item created new ends up somewhere. And more often than we want to believe, that somewhere is a landfill. I get true joy out of giving secondhand items new life in my home and I rest a little easier knowing that at least that one piece didn’t end up as trash. If you’re on the hunt for a specific item, don’t be afraid to spend a little time scoping out whether you can find it secondhand. It’s paid off big time for me.
So! On to a full tour of everything I’ve bought from Facebook Marketplace (so far).
What I’ve bought and how much I paid
This peacock wicker chair, which has become a glorified cat throne. $1,239 from Houzz. Got mine for $50.
This wicker bar stool, also a cat throne. Really what isn’t. $388 from Serena & Lilly. Got mine for $20.
This cane and bamboo stool/ottoman/plant stand. $279 on France and Son. Got mine for $30.
This fruit tray I’m using as a disco ball holder. Similar wooden pedestal bowl $118 from Terrain. Got it for $5 on Marketplace.
This linen headboard for Andy’s bedroom. $150 on Better Homes and Gardens. Got it for $50.
These mid-centry modern leather, metal, and wood chairs. $449 from Burke Decor. Got my set of four for $80.
This entertainment center, which I somehow fit into a hatchback Toyota Yaris by shear will. $940 from AllModern. Got mine for $40 several years ago.
This cane and bamboo plant stand the seller told me they got from India. $126 from Houzz. Got mine for $25.
This IKEA tulip table that’s already a dupe for the original design by Eero Saarinen. $179 new from IKEA. I got mine for $80 from someone who turned out to be my neighbor!
These wood and cane dining chairs to go around our tulip table and warm it up a bit. Very similar style from Pottery Barn for $469 (per chair). Got my two for $60.
This bamboo frame. I replaced the matting and put in some beautiful art I bought in Seattle. $40 from Macy’s. Got mine for $5.
Many of these baskets on my basket wall. Sometimes I bought in groups, sometimes one at a time. There’s no shame in buying a pre-curated set, but I actually enjoy finding and grouping them myself. Set of three for $379 from Pottery Barn. Got this set for about $30 total.
And the display cabinet I talked about above. A whopping $4,220 from Restoration Hardware. Got mine for $40 and swapped out the original oil-rubbed bronze handles for gold ones for $5.
Buying tips to stay safe, get what you want, and save money
- Use the save button like you would add things to your cart – I do a big sweep through of everything that catches my eye, and then click into my saved items when it’s time to get serious.
- If you love it, jump on it quickly – Sometimes things sell within minutes. If you love it and you want to own it, message the seller right away.
- Offer what you want to pay – Even if the listing doesn’t say OBO (Or Best Offer), just talk to the human on the other side and see if they’ll negotiate. If not, no harm done.
- Offer to pre-pay so you can score it now and pickup later – I’ve had great luck paying through Venmo, CashApp, or PayPal right away and then picking up later when it’s more convenient.
- Ask if they would ship/deliver – If it’s a big item you know you can’t fit in your car or you’re just not able to drive, ask the seller if they will deliver if you throw in an extra fee. You might be surprised at how helpful people can be. If you have to have it and the deal is too good, you could always rent a U-Haul truck for the day and go get it.
- Meet in a public place, NOT alone – When it comes time to meet up, I prefer to pick a public place like a gas station, a big box store parking lot, or even a police station. All of those places are likely to have other people around AND security cameras on premises. If the item you’re buying is too large to move to a meet-up spot, bring people with you, let other people know where you’re going, and keep your location settings on your phone on. No deal is worth risking your safety. The identification measures Facebook provides are a huge help, but you still need to watch out for yourself.
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