In October 2016 facebook introduced facebook marketplace in the US, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. According to facebook, 1 in 3 users use marketplace If you’re thinking of selling baby items on facebook marketplace, then this is the post for you.
There are several places to sell baby items online that you have to pay to use. The great thing about facebook marketplace is that it’s free. That said it can also be a drawback too, as you really don’t get any protection as you would on say, ebay.
Unlike ebay, where once you’ve sold an item and been paid you’d pack it up and post it off, on facebook most people meet in person and you have the chance that the buyer might not bother turning up. This can be very frustrating. It’s also possible they do turn up and see the item/s and then decide they don’t want them.
Another potential drawback of facebook marketplace is getting paid. Most of the time there’s no problem. However, there’s always one or two that want to haggle and try to knock you down further.
Finding baby and toddler marketplace groups
Many areas have their own facebook selling groups within marketplace, Some Hertfordshire ones are;
You could also post your baby and childrens items into non specific groups, especially if they have a large number of members.
If you put some of these terms into facebook search the groups will show up.
Is your local area big enough?
facebook marketplace works really well in big towns and cities. This is because it’s really a place to sell locally rather than nationally or internationally. If you do live in a smaller town or village you can expect your baby and toddler stuff to sell slowly or not at all. Vice versa, if you live in a heavily populated area you’re items could get snapped up instantly.
Baby and children’s selling groups do tend to be the busiest in marketplace. This makes it a great place to start and if it doesn’t sell then you can list it on ebay or elsewhere.
So we’ve covered a bit about facebook marketplace, here are some tips about listing your baby and children’s stuff;
Check the item
If possible, make sure to thoroughly inspect or test the item before selling it. Anything that isn’t working quite right then state that in your listing
Use your own pictures of your items
Be sure that the pictures that you take represent the item in its current condition. Then buyers can see the condition of the Baby and toddler items they are getting. Don’t use a stock photo from an online children’s retailer.
Write a full, honest description
Let buyers know the item condition and the reason you are selling. If you have instructions for your baby and children’s toys and equipment, certificates, original packaging or receipts make sure you state this. They can help buyers feel more confident buying from you.
Make sure the price is right
When you make your sale post, facebook lets you know what similar items are selling for near you. You can also search similar items to compare. If you want to sell it fast then use a price of about 10-15% lower. If you can wait, feel free to post for a higher price, you can always revise it later.
Mark your item as sold
When the buyer has received the item, mark it as sold so you won’t get additional offers.
View the person’s profile
Learn a bit more about the person you are buying from or selling to. You can tap a person’s profile on the product listing page and see the friends you may have in common, their Marketplace activity, and any ratings they may have received. Remember never share your phone number, address or email on facebook groups.
Meet up in a safe busy location
Consider meeting in a public place where there are plenty of people, such as a coffee shop, supermarket, shopping centre or police station. Bring a friend and let others know where you’re headed. For high-value items, consider meeting near a police station.
Use cash or person-to-person payment methods
Most people take cash but you can use PayPal or other electronic payment systems. Paypal is really easy to use as long as both parties have an account. You can use the app to pay people, so all anyone would need is your mobile number or email address. If you do decide to use PayPal, be sure to protect yourself against some common PayPal scams.
Always protect your personal information. It’s strongly advised against sharing any personal information. Information like your payment login and password details or bank account info. Don’t share your personal financial information to make a sale.
Know what items and actions are allowed on Facebook
facebook doesn’t allow the sale of counterfeit, illegal or stolen items. For a full list of what you can and can’t sell, you can see their Commerce Policies.
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