Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to get rid of things you no longer need. And you might even get some pretty good cash when doing this. Unfortunately, as with any peer-to-peer marketplace, there are hagglers. Granted, haggling is an art, and respect to those who know how to do it subtly.
Those who are not very gracious hagglers might need a lesson. Like the one this guy got when he decided to bargain on FB Marketplace. One seller recently recounted the way he made a haggler work for his ridiculous $250 offer for $2k-worth tires. If the low baller knew what petty revenge awaited him, he probably would’ve just stayed home.
Dealing with hagglers on FB marketplace can be bothersome
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
But this man came up with a genius strategy to teach one low baller a lesson
Image credits: Pascal Bronsert (not the actual photo)
Image source: Expensive__Support
People should remain reasonable and respectful even when haggling online
Image credits: Canva Studio (not the actual photo)
While this man’s strategy of dealing with a haggler is pretty entertaining, self-proclaimed professional hagglers and marketplace browsers have some helpful tips online, too. One of them, Maggie McGaugh, writes that the art of negotiating lies in your ability to not insult the seller.
According to her, it’s important to communicate with the seller as a person. “Avoid sending automated or short messages like ‘Is this available?’ or ‘Will u take $5?'” she writes. But oversharing and spinning a sob story should also be a no-no. “They make me very uncomfortable,” McGaugh claims. “Especially when the item is a pretty lamp or expensive lawn chair.”
Also, the buyer should be the one offering to pick up the item. This immediately signals to the seller that the buyer has serious intentions. Badgering them with constant messages does the opposite.
McGaugh writes that the buyer should offer a reasonable price. If they’re asking for a big discount, they should explain their reasoning. But, again, buyers should be respectful and courteous. Maggie gives a possible script:
“Hi, Seller! I know you’re asking $100 for this piece. It’s beautiful and I’m dreaming of having it in my living room. However, I’d want to replace that chipped glass, which would run me about $20. Would you be willing to lower the price? No worries if not!”
McGaugh also writes that there’s nothing wrong with ghosting a low baller if they become too annoying. When they’re not willing to negotiate, don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, or just can’t be reasoned with, it’s better not to engage. Whether that’s simply not responding or even blocking them, she advises sellers to value their piece of mind.
Facebook Marketplace has made buying used things safer and more reliable
Image credits: Gorazd Nikoloski (not the actual photo)
Facebook Marketplace is famous for its hilarious ads that occasionally provide comedy gold. But it’s also a really good place to get cheap and one-of-a-kind stuff. At its inception in 2016, Facebook Marketplace aimed to replace peer-to-peer selling giants like Craigslist and eBay.
While you’re still buying from strangers on FB Marketplace, it seems a tad safer than from the aforementioned two. You can look up the seller’s profile if the listing seems suspicious. Sam Reed, who calls himself a Facebook Marketplace addict, writes that this model seems particularly appealing to the younger generations.
“We wouldn’t be caught dead meeting up with a stranger who posted a bare-bones [Craigslist] ad, but we were more than comfortable DM’ing strangers on Facebook whose profiles we could peruse for say, mutual friends, or signs that the other party was an ax murderer.”
One of the main reasons Facebook created Marketplace was that people were already buying and selling things through Facebook groups. In 2020, it overtook Craigslist as the most popular reselling app in terms of monthly users. According to Gitnux, as of 2023, Facebook Marketplace has over 1 billion active monthly users.
People applauded the way this guy dealt with the choosing beggar
