Facebook Local Selling Groups 101: Easily Sell Your Stuff on Facebook!

You already spend hours a week on Facebook browsing through photos, and contemplating the perfect status update. Why not also lucratively declutter using Facebook selling groups. Facebook has recently become a new classifieds of sorts.

Selling used items on Facebook can be profitable, but works a little differently than your standard classified websites. I have sold many items on Facebook and learned some tricks that help me sell items more successfully.

Step 1- Join Groups

The first step is joining local Facebook selling groups in your area. If you don’t know of any off hand, you can easily search for them. Type your city name, and try different phrases like (Insert City) Sell, Furniture, Electronics, Antiques, Etc. If your city has a nickname, try using that to look for groups also. For instance, Minneapolis/St. Paul area is nicknamed “Twin Cities”. Boise, ID and surrounding cities are nicknamed “Treasure Valley”. Do a variety of searches, with multiple keywords to find the best groups.  Many of these groups are private, so you will have to put in a request. Join several groups, it will help you learn your local market quickly.

Make sure that the town you live in is listed on your profile. Many private selling groups won’t accept people that don’t live in the area, due to bots, spam, and malicious internet trolling.

If you don’t have a group in your area, you can easily create one. Keep in mind that if you start a group you will be responsible to monitor the group conduct. Sometimes people can get out of control, yes, even in local selling groups.

Step 2- Learn the Rules, and the Market

Once you join a group (or groups), take time to understand the rules and regulations. This is very important, because breaking these rules can lead to being kicked out of the group. There are many types of Facebook selling groups, ones that focus on specific items such as electronics, furniture etc. Make sure that if you are selling a table you don’t post it in an electronics selling group. I know this seems obvious, but you wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve seen people post items in the wrong group.

I know you are really excited to sell your items right away, but I recommend you learn your market. Go through your Facebook groups and see what items are being listed for what price. If you have similar items you are trying to sell you can “like” a post and keep track of other people’s responses.

Step 3-Learn the Lingo

There is some “Lingo” when selling things that may be useful to understand and use while selling your items. OBO means “Or Best Offer”. For example someone may say, “Table $20 OBO” this means they are willing to take offers. In contrast if someone says “Table $20 Firm” it means they are not willing to take offers. People will also often say “No Holds” or “FCFS” (First Come First Served) this means whoever get to the item first gets it.

If someone states their item is “Cross Posted” it means that they posted their items in several Facebook groups, and possibly other classified websites. They let people know, because this means the item could go fairly quickly.

If people are posting “ISO” (In Seek Of), it means they are searching for a particular item. If you have an item similar to what they are requesting, it is your opportunity to respond to their post. Post a picture, dimensions, and price in the comments. This may help you get your item sold quickly, without having to create your own post.

Step 4- Price Your Item

Pricing can be the most difficult aspect of selling your item. We all cherish our things, and want to essentially get back what we paid for it. Unfortunately, most items depreciate in value drastically once it’s taken out of the store. The important thing to remember is that people want to feel like they are getting a good deal. If they can practically go to the store and buy the item you listed, they aren’t going to want to purchase the item from you.

Once you figure out about what to price your item for, set the lowest price you are willing to go. People will try to negotiate, so ask a little more than your desired price. For instance, I have rug that I would like at least $15 for. I will ask $25 initially expecting negotiations. Sometimes people negotiate, sometimes they don’t. Either way you will get what you want!

One “rule of thumb” for pricing is to expect to get less than 50% for brand new items, and less than 25% for gently used items. For example, I paid $20 for a brand new pack of bedsheets that was never removed from the packaging. I can only expect to get $10 or less for this package. Similarly, I have some costume jewelry I bought for $10, but wore a few times. Even if it is in great condition, I can only realistically expect to get $2 or $3 for it.

Note: the “rule of thumb” doesn’t apply to all items, some items hold their value better such as antiques or specialty items.

Step 5- Take Pictures

Things sell better when people can see what they are buying, so take a lot of pictures. You don’t have to be an expert photographer, just get pictures from all angles, and check the lighting. Some people use pictures from the manufacturer of that item, if you do that make sure you include pictures of your actual item. It would also be wise to state where you got that photo, so you aren’t breaking any copyright laws.

Step 6- List Your Item

Now that you have great pictures, it’s time to list your item. When posting your item be descriptive. Measurements can be useful, especially for furniture. If the item has a model number, make sure to include it. It takes a little time to get all this information, but it will make your item more appealing.

Step 7- Check your Posting

Once you’ve posted, check Facebook frequently in order to respond to any questions or concerns. If people have a difficult time getting a hold of you, they are less likely to buy from you.

Step 8- Sell Your Stuff

Don’t count your item as sold, until the cash is in your hand! People are unreliable. They will beg you to hold your item for them until the next day for whatever reason, then never show up. Sell your item as quickly as you can to whomever gets to your place first. It is good practice to notify those that were interested when your item sells. Also be clear with those that are interested in your item that you will sell to the first person that comes to pick it up.

Please take extra caution when selling items from your home. Do what you are comfortable with, and if you prefer, meet someone in public. Take all precautions when selling items from your home!

You have now sold your first item and understand how to sell on Facebook!

Selling locally using Facebook is fairly simple, and if you use these tips you will be successful.

Have you sold on Facebook? Do you have any tips or advice to give about selling on Facebook?  

(Facebook logo is a trademark of Facebook. I am a user of Facebook only, and not associated with Facebook inc. or liable for anything that happens on Facebook. The pictures used in this post were screenshots taken from selling groups on facebook.com, a 3rd party website. Please check out my Privacy Policy and Full Disclosure if you have any questions)