The short answer
Take clear photos in good light, write a plain title with the brand and item type, add measurements and an honest description, and price from what similar items have actually sold for. Reply quickly, agree a time and place, meet in a safe public place or have someone with you for home pickups, and only hand over the item once you have been paid in a way you trust. Features, shipping options and fees differ by country and change over time, so check Facebook's current Marketplace help pages and commerce policies before you start.
Step 1: choose what to sell locally
Marketplace works best for items that are awkward to post: furniture, appliances, garden equipment, bikes, baby gear, tools and large household lots. Smaller valuable items can sell too, and in some countries shipping is available for certain listings. Check the commerce policies, because some items cannot be sold, such as certain regulated goods. Our guide to what household items are worth selling helps you decide what to list.
Step 2: prepare the item
- Clean it, tighten loose parts and test anything electrical. See how to clean items before selling.
- Find the brand, model and any labels, and measure it: height, width and depth for furniture.
- Gather chargers, manuals, keys, shelves and other parts that belong with it.
Step 3: take photos that sell
Use daylight or bright, even light, a tidy background and the whole item in the first photo. Add close-ups of labels, materials and any damage. Honest photos of flaws save time with buyers who would otherwise back out at pickup. See how to photograph items for resale.
Step 4: write the listing
- Title: brand, item type, key detail and size, for example "Oak dining table, seats six, 180 cm". Buyers search by these words.
- Price: see the next step.
- Category and condition: pick the closest options so the listing appears in the right searches.
- Description: measurements, age, condition, any flaws, whether it needs to be dismantled, and pickup details such as stairs or a general area.
- Location: share a general area, not your full address, until you have agreed a sale.
Step 5: price it
Look at what similar items have sold for, not only what other people are asking, and price slightly above your lowest acceptable figure to leave room for offers. Our guide to pricing on Facebook Marketplace covers local pricing, lowballers and when to drop the price.
Step 6: handle messages
- Reply quickly while the buyer is still interested.
- Answer questions about size, condition and pickup clearly, and confirm the price before arranging a time.
- If several people ask, deal with them in order, and say plainly whether you hold items for anyone.
- Keep the conversation in Messenger so there is a record.
Step 7: meet and get paid safely
- For small items, meet in a busy public place in daylight. Some police stations offer safe exchange spots.
- For large items collected from home, have someone with you, keep the item near the door or in a garage, and do not let strangers wander through your home.
- Agree the payment method in advance. Cash is simple for local sales; check notes for larger amounts. If you use a payment app, confirm the money has actually arrived in your account before you hand over the item.
- Do not accept overpayments, cheques or requests to send money back.
Step 8: avoid common scams
- Verification code requests: a buyer asks you to read out a code sent to your phone "to prove you are real". This can be used to take over your accounts. Never share codes.
- Overpayment and refund tricks: a buyer "accidentally" sends too much and asks for the difference back.
- Fake payment emails: messages that look like payment confirmations but did not come from your bank or payment app.
- Shipping-only buyers who want to pay outside the platform and use their own courier.
Our guide to avoiding scams when selling online covers more warning signs.
Step 9: after the sale
Mark the item as sold so you stop getting messages, and keep a simple record of what you sold and for how much. If you sell a lot, check whether tax reporting rules apply to you in your country.
Where WorthAI fits
Before you list, scan the item with WorthAI to identify the likely brand and type and see an estimated worth with a range, a suggested asking price and a reading of buyer demand, along with the marketplace listings behind the estimate. Check that those listings match your item's model, size and condition, and tap Refine Result if the match is wrong. Local prices can differ from online ones, so use the estimate as research, then set your own price for Marketplace.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
Local pickup listings have generally been free to post, while shipped sales and some optional features can involve fees in some countries. Fees and features change, so check Facebook's current Marketplace help pages for your country.
What is the safest way to get paid on Facebook Marketplace?
For local sales, cash at a safe meeting place is simple, or a payment method you trust where you confirm the money has arrived before handing over the item. Avoid cheques, overpayments and anyone asking you to send money back.
Why do buyers ask for a verification code?
It is a common scam. The code can let someone take over your phone number or accounts. Never share a verification code with a buyer for any reason.