The Facebook marketplace has bridged the gap between sellers and buyers by bringing the stores and the market closer than it has ever been. The service was introduced onto the app aS part of its endeavour to embody the daily requirements of its over 1.5 billion users.
Have you ever had in mind of selling any of your use, or new items and you are considering how soon it will get to the right audience
Perhaps you want to buy any products without waiting in the long queues or face the crowd, or maybe the distance to the market is long and you want to get everything right at your doorstep.
Imagine you being in a community platform, having 1.4 billion people on a daily basis trading, interacting, and hosting meetings among its various group members, I believe that is amazing!
In one way or the other, you heard about, Facebook being the largest social media networking website. This is where individuals or businesses who want to sell their products or services, can post valuable content, share links to their targeted audience effortlessly.
It will interest you to know that Facebook as of today has evolved from a peer-to-peer shopping platform to a more advanced means called Facebook Marketplace.
Facebook Marketplace enables individuals or businesses to expand their reach, engagements, and profits to a larger extend by just uploading photos of available products for sale and have their target space see them, list them and further contact the seller for the goods/product.
Interesting, ever since 2016 when the Facebook marketplace was launched, over 800 million people use Facebook Marketplace daily to trade, items of their choice to their target customers.
However, this article covers everything about the Facebook marketplace including how to buy and sell with it.
THE CONCEPT OF THE FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
The invention of the Facebook marketplace in the year 2016 by the Facebook group was a major turning point in the history of Facebook users because anyone can buy and sell things, so fast without any charges. A medium that doesn’t limit your search until you put one in place.
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A Facebook marketplace is a digital market platform or outlet, provided by Facebook to enable its billions of users to buy, sell and trade on any items within their locality and the entire world.
Unlike every other sales platform where fees are charged from trading and shipping fees, coupled with the low customer base.
Moreover, with the Facebook market place you have the opportunity to arrange for a convenient time, specified location, verify the items, and no charges for trading for using the platform.
Also, in the Facebook marketplace, the actual trading activities take place outside the Facebook app and Facebook is not under any legal obligation or held responsible for any fail transaction.
Finally, Facebook takes no official stand in fostering or overseeing trading activities; however, users are believed to conduct that part out between themselves.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE SELLING ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
FACEBOOK MARKET POLICY
Any product intended to be sold on the Facebook marketplace must conform with the Community Standards, as well as Commerce Policies. Ther are the laws that govern trading on Facebook.
Prospective buyers and Sellers are to fully complying with all the applicable laws and regulations for their safety and benefits.
ITEM VERIFICATION
Items verification is the process of conducting a thorough search or investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the intended you want to buy.
This becomes necessary because of its function of eliminating the possibility of buying stolen, fake and damaged items
It is done by requesting a certificate of authenticity proof of purchase.
You can as well request for test running of the item to ensure that it’s in good condition.
BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES ARE PROHIBITED
Products selling on Facebook must not indicate a before and after picture.
Facebook has gone through great lengths to ensure that Marketplace is a safe place for people to buy and sell online.
TRANSACTION MUST BE DONE IN A PUBLIC LOCATION
Once you have satisfied with the authenticity of the product, the next step is to invite the prospective clients to a public place.
On no account should you let your buyers or seller know your place of abode for security reasons?
Before going to the agreed location, tell a family member or a friend the exact location and if possible, someone should accompany you.
DECIDE ON METHODS OF PAYMENT
The majority of challenges people encounter when buying and selling are the issues of non-remittance of payment.
Also, people present fake transfers and counterfeited cheques or bank drafts.
To avoid this issue, Buyers and sellers must come to terms with a suitable mode of payment to avoid being suspended by Facebook.
On an occasion like this, it is even more acceptable to accept cash payments on some items.
PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
Sensitive private information such as financial account information – Payment login and password, bank account info should not be disclosed during the interaction processes with the customer. Be careful of your home address, and office.
To avoid this, you must focus on the issues at hand – trading. Don’t get too familiar and be professional in your dealing with every client you meet.
BE CAUTIOUS OF POSSIBLE SCAMS
It’s very easy to scam people of their valuables when it comes to online marketing. This comes in form of selling counterfeiting items, stolen goods and expired products and at times, requesting urgent payment before a transaction,
In light of this, you must do the necessary verification before payment. Don’t release your band details, don’t accept to pay for goods when you have not seen them.
PUBLIC DISPLAY TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY
Upon listing on Facebook Marketplace, immediately, buyers or someone can make an offer for the products irrespective of your location. [ but it is quite advisable to transact with people within your closest space ]
This is because Facebook creates a public listing that can be seen by anyone on Facebook Marketplace, News Feed, search, Groups and your friend’s list. A seller is obliged to ship the ordered products within three business days after confirmation using shipping and check out to agree to follow the Seller Policies of the Facebook marketplace. He or she must make sure to mark it as ship and enter a tracking number for the receiver.
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
Just like every other organization that sets rules for effective and efficient operation, Facebook also has its own version of laws on how to buy and sell in the marketplace. Products sold on Facebook must comply with Commerce Policies and Community Standards, The Policies provide rules on the types of products and services to be offered for sale on Facebook.
Prospective Buyers and sellers are to complying with all the laws and regulations. Failure to comply may lead to severe consequences, such as banishment from listings content, suspension and termination from Facebook.
LIST OF ITEMS NOT ALLOWED TO BE SOLD ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
ADULT PRODUCTS
selling and buying of adults products such as books, films, magazines, that shows human or related to sexuality are highly prohibited on marketplace p
ALCOHOL
Alcoholic product of any kind is not acceptable to be traded on the Facebook marketplace
ANIMALS
Listings do not support the buying or selling of animals and parts
BODY PARTS AND FLUIDS
Any buying or selling of human body parts or fluids – blood, kidney, urine etc are highly not allow on the Facebook marketplace platform
DIGITAL MEDIA AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
buying or selling of devices that facilitate or encourage streaming digital content in an unauthorised way are highly prohibited.
DOCUMENTS, CURRENCY AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Any form of trading, buying or selling of real or fictitious documents of any kind, currency, financial instruments and virtual currency is not allowed.
GAMBLING
Any form of online gambling for money, buying, selling or facilitation of online money’s worth, including digital currencies may not be accepted by Facebook.
Online gambling such as gaming, betting, lotteries, raffles, casino, fantasy sports, bingo, poker and sweepstakes are among the restricted items of Facebook.
HAZARDOUS GOODS AND MATERIALS
buying or selling of hazardous materials and substances especially those that are considered harmful to humans and animals even plants may not be listed
HUMAN EXPLOITATION AND SEXUAL SERVICES
All forms of human trafficking, prostitution, escort or sexual services, slavery in tendency are not promoted on Facebook.
INGESTIBLE SUPPLEMENTS
Buying or selling any form of ingestible supplements are highly prohibited on the Facebook marketplace.
JOBS
Fraudulent job opportunities advert is highly prohibited under the Facebook marketplace.
Fraudulent jobs are vacancies that fully describe the associated product or business model, job opportunities that are misleading, deceptive, or have an unclear business direction.
MEDICAL AND HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS
All medically related items and devices or even health care management systems and services are not allowed to be listed or promoted In the Facebook marketplace
MISLEADING, VIOLENT OR HATEFUL
Any item with intention of causing a serious breach of peace and encourage violence or misleading people in a society will not be listed on the Facebook marketplace.
PRESCRIPTION PRODUCTS, DRUGS AND DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Drugs abuse has given birth to serious societal challenges such as untimely death, insanity, school dropout, etc. So trading on such products may not be allowed on Facebook.
PRODUCTS WITH OVERTLY SEXUALISED POSITIONING
Products or Services of any kind in a sexually symbolic manner may not be listed on the Facebook marketplace.
RECALLED PRODUCTS
Recalled items or products from manufacturers company that is defective or failed to meet the customer’s requirements can not be listed on the market platform.
STOLEN GOODS
All forms of trading, buying or selling of items that have been stolen, smuggled or country banned are not allowed to be listed on Facebook.
SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DIGITAL PRODUCTS
All forms of financial transactions on people’s downloadable digital content and digital subscriptions or digital accounts are not to be listed on the marketplace.
THIRD-PARTY INFRINGEMENT
Facebook does not promote duplication of content that taints the intellectual property rights of any third party, including copyright or trademark.
This includes the promotion or sale of counterfeits and goods that copy the trademark and some distinctive features of another company’s products or goods to imitate an original product.
TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND RELATED PARAPHERNALIA
Facebook does not allow buying or selling of tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia products of any kind on its marketplace.
WEAPONS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES
Those who specialize in trading, use, or exchange of weapons, ammunition and explosives which are capable of human destruction are highly prohibited to sell on the marketplace
STEPS TO TAKE IF DISAPPROVED – APPEAL THE DECISION
The Facebook marketplace has room for reconsideration on an account of violation of her rules or mistake.
This is when a seller repeatedly posts content that violates market policies.
The solution to violating Facebook commerce policy is to appeal. Appealing is done through request a review by following steps for Marketplace.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SCAMMERS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
Hacked or faked Facebook accounts are some of the major challenges troubling Marketplace
On daily basis, dubious profiles keep posting items believed to be genuine and once the link is clicked, instantly, you get hacked and this has a real security threat to the community.
In light of this development, below are some of the steps on how to spot a dubious or fake profile.
• The seller will not meet you in person or let you see the item before purchase.
• The seller asks you to pay using gift cards for eBay or another company.
• The seller refuses to engage with you over Facebook Messenger or directs you to another website to make the purchase.
• The seller’s email address may be cited in other instances of fraud
• The seller’s Marketplace profile shows multiple listings of the same item
targeted at locations in different states
• The seller has creative explanations for why that price is suspiciously low.
• The seller offers to ship the item but refuses to use the Facebook checkout service for the purchase.
FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE CATEGORIES
This is where the intended Shoppers view certain categories or search to know the type of products available for sale on the Facebook marketplace app.
HOMES AND GARDENS
• Tools,
• Furniture
• Garden
• Appliances
• Household
CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
• Jewelry and accessories
• Bags and Luggage
• Men’s clothing and shoes
• Women’s clothing and shoes
ELECTRONICS
• Mobile Phones
• Electronics and computer
FAMILY
• Toys and Games
• Baby and kids
• Pet supplies
• Health and beauty
CLASSIFIED
• Garage and Sales
• Miscellaneous
HOBBIES
• Sports and Outdoors
• Musical Instruments
• Arts and Crafts
• Antiques and Collectibles
• Bicycles
ENTERTAINMENT
• Books, Movies and Music
• Videos
JOBS
• Full-time
• Part-time
• Internship
• Volunteer
• Contract
HOW TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE APPLICATION
• Click on this link OR
• Go to Google play store if you are an Android user or navigate to the App store if you are using iOS.
• Search for the app on either store or both stores by typing Facebook marketplace
• Click on download & install the marketplace apps on your device. Enable the app such that access is granted to access some vital part of your device to empower the running of the app effortlessly and effectively. The most needed access is the location [ turn on your device location ].
• Click on accept terms and conditions of the marketplace platform and set up your application.
Alternatively, you can also get the apps on your Facebook apps by going to www.facebook.com/marketplace where it is located by default. You u can search the word “Marketplace” on the Facebook search bar and you’ll find the shop icon.
HOW TO SELL ON FACEBOOK MARKET PLACE
Selling or trading on the Facebook marketplace does not need any special training by individuals. Any person at all can trade on the Facebook marketing platform in as much as the product is in conformity with the Facebook Commerce Policies.
In payments mode, most customers preferred cash payment as the majority will want bank transfer and you don’t have to create a distinct Marketplace account before trading commerce.
To trade on the Facebook marketplace, you have to first get your intended items for sale listed on the market platform.
Listings in Facebook Marketplace are classified by categories such as clothing and accessories, Vehicles, electronics, housing, and Hobbies, etc. Prospects customers can search for any items of their choice by price and location, and save listings for future reference.
PROCEDURES OF LISTING ITEMS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
You can have access to Facebook Marketplace in the Facebook app and on desktop, you are qualified to sell.
1. Copy and paste this [ FACEBOOK.COM/MARKETPLACE ] in your browser OR or use the Facebook app and type marketplace in the search bar.
2. Click the white storefront symbol at the top of the app [ android ].
3. Click On The Marketplace Icon.
4. Click on create new listings
This is where you want to indicate what products categories you are selling. Maybe vehicles, property, jobs, homes and Gardens, Clothing and Accessories, etc.
5. Click on the items on the items you are selling.
• Upload the pictures of the product you are selling (10 photos is good)
• Write the Title of what u are selling
• Put the price of your product
• What categories does your product belongs
• Select the nature of your product – new, fairly used, and good
• Give the brand name of the product you are selling
• Details description of the product
• Present location of the product you want to sell
6. Click next
You will see list in more places like
List on your Facebook group page or leave it in the Facebook marketplace, you make your choice
7. Click on publish post
So, anybody that has an interest in your products will message you on Facebook messenger. Immediately you get the message you will discuss with the person how to carry on with the transaction.
ADVANTAGES OF USING FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE
• Facebook marketplace has the largest audience (800 million people globally) for individuals or businesses to reach out to its targets customers quickly and effortlessly
• Facebook marketplace is governed by rules called commerce policies which regulates the activities of users against criminal elements
• The platform enables individuals or business owners to create their own style of pages.
• Buyers can connect to sellers at an instant messaging through messenger.
• Buyers can connect to sellers directly without the activities of middlemen.
• Facebook does not charge users for selling on its platform
• It enables individuals and businesses to connect to its audience outside their base.
• It gives room for anyone to trade on.
This is an article on the simpler ways to sell on the Facebook marketplace [ in layman’s words ]. We hope the meets your answers your queries that landed you here and hope you love it too. Give us a comment below and what we miss or cover on this topic. Thanks.
In some other revelation, an international news publishing agency has alleged that Facebook has sold over 1 billion of its users’ data to some unknown agents. This reportage is yet to get a reaction from Mark’s family of tech giants after its 6 hours long shut down days ago. You can read it below
https://globecalls.com/1-5-billion-facebook-data-of-users-allegedly-sold/
