In the new groups, are people actually making a post in the group, or are they simply sharing their FB Marketplace listing to the group? FB Mktplc gives you the option when listing to post the listing to groups you’re a member of. This markets your item more broadly, but all communication is via the Mktplc listing, which means via FB Messenger.

You would specify in your ad if you have specific payment requirements. All communication is private on Messenger, so you’d share your address or pickup location and agree to pickup and payment arrangements there.

Think of FBMP like Craigslist, unless you offer shipping (I can’t help you with that). I post items for sale, cash only local pickup.

In the group I’m considering, whose name indicates a certain geographical area, I do see listings from towns outside that area, but not bizarrely outside, like out of state. But still, the towns they are in are not considered by any stretch of the imagination part of the area on the group name.

If all communication is via the Marketplace listing, that goes to Messenger? So no one else can see who has expressed interest or bought the item? or requested and received details, so no one else can see those details? My uber-local, non-Marketplace marketplaces makes all that upfront info visible, and only when we get to addresses and pickup/delivery info do we go to Messenger. (”I’ll PM you.”) I like that much better.

I hear stories about this Marketplace, where buyers never show up, or renegotiate the price along the line, etc. I suppose there are also stories about sellers’ items not being quite as represented.

That’s the nice thing about my local groups, there is a bit of trust, because of the six-degrees-of-separation thing.

Maybe I will try with one item at a time, and see how it goes.

No advice as I've only used FBMP a couple times to sell some things for DH's company when they were moving. As a seller it was nice - lots of good info. Somehow I got communications without using FB Messenger as I don't use that. As a buyer I can't stand it - too many ads and sponsored junk interspersed with the stuff I might want. I miss good old Craigslist of days gone by - I got so many great things off CL.

FBM has none of the 'safety' nets that your local group has. DH and I have sold/given quite a few things on FBM, especially in the last couple of months. Everything from firewood from a tree that came down to furniture to baby clothes. If it's for sale I always put Cash Only in the post. If it's something generating a lot of interest I will take my time before responding to any of the DMs - fakes and flakes can often be weeded out but I have had a no show. No one looking at your ad will know who else has responded. I schedule pick ups when DH is home except in rare occasions when communications give me enough info to feel comfortable. In fact, one woman who I could tell was not a flake, bought some furniture and has become a friend - we've socialized with her and her DH. If there is something I want to buy DH would go with me unless p/u is in a public place but I rarely find anything I want to buy.

FBM place in my area (NM) is vastly superior to CL. Far fewer scammers and flakes. I was at my folks' place in Florida over Thanksgiving helping them purge some things and listed some on FBM. The scammers came out in droves for pretty much anything listed over $50 or $100. They'll be very apparent, asking for your phone number from the get-go. Ignore, report and block them. Your local mileage may vary. Communicate only through Messenger.

@3katz4me, you may not have the Messenger app, but you're receiving messages on FB (which is technically through Messenger). There's no other way to communicate unless you give someone your number or email address.

I don't hold anything unless someone wants to go ahead and Venmo/Zelle me the money immediately People are too flaky otherwise. If it's something big, of course you'll have to let them come to your home to get it. For small things, I typically tell them to meet me at a grocery store that is three minutes away. I tell them to message me when they're five minutes away from the store. That way I'm not wasting my time waiting for someone who is nonchalantly 30 minutes late, or a no show.

It's true no one else can see the questions answered. But you can always go back in and update your ad with additional info.

One nice thing about FB is that you can see if you have connections to the sellers or buyers. My then pregnant DD went to a house to buy a slightly used cars eat by herself. The couple was nice, they started chatting, mentioned they were surprised my DD came alone. She laughed and said oh we have several mutual friends (that all belonged to one of the large churches in town) si i figured I was pretty safe!

I find it easier to buy something on marketplace because when you sell, there are people trying to scam you.

I was selling small items and so many people wanted to buy it no haggling and said they were at work and their husband would pick it up. Could I give them my number so he could text me when he’s on the way?

Of course I did not give out my number. That is a huge red flag. Just FYI, if you’re selling something and get a response like that.

I have better luck selling than buying. Mkt refuses to sort by my wishes. I set a distance and they haul in everything no matter where, They are full of ads from companies. If I search for one thing , they haul in stuff not even remotely the same,

Selling, I just delete and block as spam if they ever ask for a phone number.

ETA: If anyone can tell me how to finesse Mkp, I am open to sugestions, lol.