How to Sell Furniture on Facebook: Step-By-Step Guide
Looking to declutter your home and make some extra cash? Selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace is a great way to do just that.
At Social Think, we specialize in social media strategy and analytics to help businesses and individuals leverage platforms like Facebook to achieve their goals.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the process of listing and selling your furniture on Facebook Marketplace, sharing insider tips and best practices to help you sell quickly and safely.
Why Sell Furniture On Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace has become a go-to destination for buying and selling locally. With over 2.9 billion monthly active users, Facebook offers an enormous potential customer base for your unwanted furniture.
Compared to other platforms like Craigslist or eBay, Facebook Marketplace provides a more user-friendly experience, with built-in messaging, user profiles, and a simple listing process.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is also cost-effective. Unlike some other resale platforms, there are no listing fees or commissions on Facebook Marketplace. You keep 100% of the profits from your sale.
How To Sell Furniture On Facebook Marketplace?
Selling on Facebook Marketplace may feel hard at first, but it’s really simple and easy. With just a few steps, you can turn your used items into cash. The process has three main parts: getting your furniture ready, making a great listing, and handling questions from buyers.
Using this guide will get you ready to sell your furniture fast and well. Let’s look at each of these steps more closely to help you learn how to sell furniture on Facebook Marketplace.
Step 1: Prepare Your Furniture
First impressions matter a lot! How you show your furniture can decide if it sells or not. Before you list your furniture online, spend time getting it ready for close-up photos.
Clean and Repair
Before listing your furniture, give it a thorough cleaning and make any necessary repairs. A clean, well-maintained piece will attract more interest and command a higher price. If your furniture has minor scratches or flaws, consider touching them up with a furniture marker or paint.
Take Measurements
Measure your furniture and include the dimensions in your listing. Buyers will want to know if the piece will fit in their space. Use a tape measure to get accurate measurements of the height, width, and depth.
Step 2: Create Your Listing
Now that your furniture is ready, it’s time to make a great listing that grabs the attention of buyers. Your listing is like a store for your furniture. It’s the first thing buyers see about what you are offering.
Remember, if your listing isn’t well-made, it might not get much interest.
Take High-Quality Photos
Great photos are key to selling your furniture fast on Facebook Marketplace. Use natural light and take pictures from multiple angles, showcasing any unique details or features. Make sure your photos are clear and well-lit. If there are any imperfections, take close-up shots so buyers know exactly what they’re getting.
Research Prices
Before setting a price, search for similar items on Facebook Marketplace to see what they’re selling for. Price your furniture competitively, but don’t undervalue it. Consider the age, condition, and brand of your piece when determining a fair price.
Write a Compelling Title and Description
Your listing title and description should be detailed and engaging. Use relevant keywords that buyers might search for, like furniture style, material, or color. Be honest about the condition of the piece and mention any flaws or damage.
Example title: “Vintage Solid Wood Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table”
Example description: “Beautiful vintage coffee table made of solid walnut wood. Features clean lines and a unique boomerang shape, perfect for a mid-century modern decor style. Table measures 48″ L x 20″ W x 16″ H. Minor scratches on the surface from normal wear, but overall in excellent vintage condition. Asking price is $150, open to reasonable offers. Local pickup only.”
Select Relevant Categories and Attributes
When creating your Facebook Marketplace listing, choose the most relevant category (e.g., Furniture) and add attributes like brand, material, and condition. This will help your listing show up in search results when buyers filter by those criteria.
Step 3: Manage Inquiries and Offers
Congratulations! You’ve started getting questions about your furniture. Now, it’s time to connect with potential buyers. You need to answer their questions and handle offers. This step requires quick responses, clear communication, and some negotiation skills.
Respond Promptly
Once your listing is live, be prepared to answer questions from potential buyers. Respond promptly and professionally to all inquiries, providing additional photos or information if requested. The faster you reply, the more likely you are to make a sale.
Negotiate Prices
Many buyers on Facebook Marketplace will try to negotiate prices. Consider pricing your furniture slightly higher than what you’d like to get, so there’s room for negotiation. Be open to reasonable offers, but know your bottom line.
Arrange Pickup or Delivery
For larger furniture items, you’ll likely need to arrange for local pickup. When coordinating with a buyer, suggest meeting in a safe, public place like a grocery store parking lot. If the buyer is coming to your home, have a family member or friend present for the exchange. For smaller items, consider offering porch pickup as a contactless option.
Where To Sell Furniture Online?
While Facebook Marketplace is a top choice for selling furniture locally, there are other online options to explore:
- Craigslist: One of the original online classifieds sites, Craigslist is still widely used for buying and selling furniture.
- OfferUp: This mobile-first platform is designed for local buying and selling, with an emphasis on in-person transactions.
- eBay: For unique or high-value furniture pieces, eBay can connect you with buyers nationwide. Just be prepared to handle shipping logistics.
- Chairish: A curated marketplace for vintage and antique furniture, Chairish is a great option for designer or one-of-a-kind pieces.
How Much Does it Cost to Sell Furniture On Facebook Marketplace?
One of the best things about selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace is that it’s completely free to use. There are no listing fees, no commissions, and no hidden costs. You can create as many listings as you want without ever paying a dime to Facebook.
The only potential costs to consider are any materials needed to clean or repair your furniture before listing, or any transportation costs if you’re offering delivery to buyers.
Tips For Successfully Selling Furniture On Facebook Marketplace
Prepping your furniture and creating a great listing are important first steps. However, to succeed on Facebook Marketplace, you need to use smart strategies. These tactics help make your listing stand out from the rest.
You should understand how buyers search on the platform and what they need. Use this and boost your chances of attracting buyers and turning their interest into real sales.
- Use Keywords in Your Listing: When writing your listing title and description, think like a buyer. What search terms might someone use to find a piece of furniture like yours? Include relevant keywords like the furniture type, style, brand, material, and color. This will help your listing show up in more search results.
- Start With Attractive Photos: The first thing potential buyers will notice about your listing is the photos. Make sure your lead image is bright, clear, and showcases your furniture in the best possible light. Take photos from different angles and include close-ups of any unique details.
- Offer Competitive Prices: Pricing your furniture competitively is key to making a quick sale. Search for similar items on Facebook Marketplace to get a sense of the going rates, and price your piece accordingly. If you’re not getting much interest at your initial price, consider lowering it to attract more buyers.
- Be Honest About Condition: Transparency is important when selling used furniture. Be upfront about any flaws, damage, or wear and tear on your piece. Include photos of any imperfections and mention them in your description. Being honest builds trust with potential buyers and helps avoid any disputes down the line.
- Promote Your Listings: Once your furniture is listed on Facebook Marketplace, promote it to get more eyes on your item. Share the listing on your personal Facebook profile and in any relevant buy/sell groups. You can also boost your Marketplace listing for a small fee to reach a wider audience.
FAQ’s:
Can I Sell Furniture on Facebook Without a Marketplace Account?
No, you need a Facebook account to sell on Marketplace. However, creating a Facebook account is free and only takes a few minutes.
How Do I Know if a Buyer is Legitimate On Facebook Marketplace?
When communicating with a potential buyer, check their Facebook profile to see if it looks authentic. Be wary of profiles with no photo, little activity, or that were recently created. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to end communication if something feels off.
What should I Do if a Buyer Doesn’t Arrive For a Scheduled Pickup?
If a buyer is a no-show for a scheduled pickup, send them a message to check on their status. If they don’t respond or reschedule within a reasonable timeframe, move on to the next interested buyer. Don’t waste your time waiting around for someone who may have changed their mind.
How do I Arrange Shipping For Furniture Sold On Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is designed for local transactions, so it doesn’t have a built-in shipping option. However, if you want to offer shipping, you can arrange it privately with the buyer. Just be sure to factor in the cost of packaging materials and shipping fees into your price.
What Happens if a Buyer is Unhappy With the Furniture After Purchasing It?
In most cases, Facebook Marketplace sales are final. As long as you were honest in your listing about the condition of the furniture, you’re not obligated to issue a refund if the buyer changes their mind. To avoid any misunderstandings, encourage buyers to inspect the furniture in person before completing the sale.
Conclusion
Selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace is a smart way to declutter your home, make some extra money, and give your unwanted pieces a second life.
Following the tips and best practices outlined in this guide will equip you to create compelling listings, attract serious buyers, and negotiate successful transactions.
Awesome photos, super detailed descriptions, and competitive pricing are key to making a quick sale. And don’t underestimate the power of promoting your listings to get more exposure.
With a little effort and strategy, you can turn your old furniture into cash on Facebook Marketplace. So what are you waiting for? Start decluttering and listing today!
At Social Think, we’re passionate about helping businesses and individuals leverage the power of social media to achieve their goals. For more tips and insights on social media strategy and analytics, be sure to check out our blog or get in touch with our team of experts. Happy selling!
