I recently moved into a new home and needed a way to get rid of some of my old stuff (furniture, bikes, 4000 stuffed animals). Upon the recommendation of a couple of trusted friends, I decided to give
Facebook Marketplace a try. As much as I've been annoyed by the notifications, I've never actually used it, and well, let's just say I'm sold. Or better, my stuff is.
Related: Helpful services to help you sell your old tech
It's pretty easy to use: simply take photos of what you're selling, name a price, and post it. Interested parties can message you through Messenger, at which point you set up the appointments to see the items and hopefully, make the sale. We found that it worked well because the items will populate for people who live relatively close to you. And, the communication is easy because it's already on an app most of us use on a regular basis.
While there are always safety concerns when you're giving strangers your address (we suggest setting up a public meeting spot if the item size allows it), because it's Facebook, you can click over to their page and get a decent sense of who they are and what they're all about. We sold everything from bikes and bookcases to air conditioner units and hockey sticks, even an old car.
Along with Facebook Marketplace, you can also join specific
Facebook Groups aimed at selling (or giving away) items. I'm a member of my local "free" group, where you can take a photo of items that you're wanting to give away. I have been able to get rid of a bunch of items, particularly larger furniture pieces I couldn't sell or donate. Do a search for your town to see if you have a free group, but also for sale groups as well. Many communities have Facebook Groups designed specifically for locals to sell items to each other.
Related: Here's how to use ThredUp to sell your old clothes
And I also heard great things about
NextDoor, an app that many communities utilize to communicate. With their For Sale and Free feature, members can list items they wish to give away or sell. Plus, since everyone is relatively close, you pretty much know who you're dealing with. And you don't have to worry about someone coming a far way to see your sewing machine that might possibly be broken.
Photo by freddie marriage on Unsplash
