framed vintage embroidery art! $22 in san diego
So, I realize many people got on this train years ago and me writing a post about it now is the opposite of cutting edge. But hello! I am still going to talk about Facebook Marketplace because wow, I am finding good things.
Whenever I mention FB Marketplace on Instagram I get two kinds of DMs. People either say "Isn't it the BEST?!?! I am so obsessed." Or they say "I can never find anything good on there. Tell me your secrets."
I believe this post will be interesting to both types of commenters because as a fellow obsessed person, my second favorite thing (after finding my own cool stuff) is seeing the cool stuff other people found. I love to see what people thrift/buy second hand/find because it's fun to cheer for them but also it gives me ideas of things to look for in my own treasure hunting.
And for the latter folks: I totally get it. Three months ago I was you! I have learned a lot since then.
expandable wood table and six chairs: $100 in sacramento
First: I don't think I understood what Facebook Marketplace was until this past summer. I do not use Facebook. I have an account because I was in college in 2005 but I don't scroll or post at all. I am for sure on Instagram (which is obviously owned by Facebook) so it's not like I am making some sort of giant statement, it's just not how I spend my online time. In the past when I heard people talking about FB Marketplace I just sort of tuned out because I don't go on the site. I have used Craigslist a ton over the past ten years (both to sell and to buy) and I sort of just thought FB Marketplace was like that.
I no longer think it's like Craigslist. Part of it is that it feels so much more visual and the categories seem to make more sense. But it's also just easier to use. If you are logged into your Facebook account, it's extremely easy to message an item's seller. It's even auto-populated with what you can say to that seller (more on this later).
But second, and this will surprise no one, FB Marketplace uses an algorithm. So once it's learned your browsing interests it serves you what you want to see. The first week or so that I checked FB Marketplace all of my suggested listings (called "Today's Picks") were for boat trailers, RVs and like riding lawn mowers. Cool things, for sure, but not at all what I wanted to buy at the moment. Now when I check the site I see listings much more relevant to my interests (recent screenshot below).
Facebook has endless data about me already but after using the site for a week they really started to understand what I liked to see in the marketplace. In the beginning I searched for specific things "round dining table" "table lamp" "basket" "floral art" and of course those searches showed me relevant results but they also told the algorithm what I was interested in. Once I saw more of what interested me, I started to click on more listings, further reinforcing the algorithm. When I use the site now, I try to help the algorithm along by "saving" any item that is the right style and inline for what I would purchase. I save much more than I would ever plan to buy because it's about engagement. I want the marketplace to know what I like so the marketplace will do some of the searching for me.
drop leaf table ($65), chandelier from a house that was being flipped ($30), pair of twin beds that I plan to paint for the girls ($100), framed California wildflower poster ($10) ... all in sacramento
Third, I think it's important to set your parameters. I am currently searching in two areas: a ten mile radius from my current house in San Diego and a ten mile radius from my parent's house in Sacramento. Those radius markers are important! Otherwise you may find something you LOVE that is not feasible to get to (of course if there is a very specific thing you're willing to drive for expand that radius when you search. Right now I would drive a loooooong time for a secondhand sink that looks like this.) I also have told Facebook that I want to see only "local pickup" listings. I found that before I had this specified I got served so many online shop items. That's cool but not what I am interested in right now.
a lamp I covered in plaster of paris and then painted (following this tutorial): $60 in san diego.
Fourth, if you find something that you really want and the price is right -- JUMP. And by JUMP I mean message that seller. As mentioned, your first contact will be auto-populated with "hi [Seller Name], is this available?" I have found that it helps to change that a bit. I often adjust to say "hi [Seller Name], I love your [whatever the item is]! If it's still available can I pick up tomorrow?" Or something similar that shows I am actively interested. It takes effort to list something and then usually a lot of effort to coordinate a pickup. I like to be as clear as possible about when I can pick up to minimize the hassle on the seller's side. (And similarly, I like to be clear as fast as possible if a pickup isn't going to work.)
I found my powder room mirror that was pretty close to my original plan! $55 in san diego.
Those are the beginnings of my "tips" so far. I suppose the last thing would be to keep list of what you are actually looking for because yes, this can be addicting (it's a Facebook product after all). I have a long list of big and small items that I would like to find for the new house and it's been so fun to check some of those off these past few months. Having the list is keeping me (sort of) focused which is important. I am excited to start setting up the new house next summer but I am also really enjoying the collection process right now.
Disclaimer -- buying stuff from strangers online can be risky. I have had wonderful experiences but I know that is not always the case and it's important to take precautions when you are exchanging money online and meeting a stranger in real life. Take a friend with you! Tell someone where you are going to be! Meet in a public place! Do a porch pickup! Etc! Etc. I feel like you know this but I am saying it just in case.
