How to Find Furniture on Facebook Marketplace

The Facebook Marketplace has a wide range of furniture pieces you can use to spruce up any living space. But despite that, you'll have to do some digging to find exactly what you're looking for.

Read on to learn more about Facebook Marketplace.

What is Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is an online shopping interface on the Facebook social network launched in 2006. It allows Facebook users to buy and sell new or secondhand goods locally, just like other ecommerce platforms such as eBay and Etsy.

Before the launch of Facebook Marketplace, Facebook users sold and bought things via buy-and-sell Facebook groups. Facebook Marketplace adopts the same design principle but provides the alternative to putting up items for sale, browsing items to buy, and tagging items as sold.

How Does Facebook Marketplace Work?

To access the Marketplace, log into your Facebook account. Then, tap the Marketplace icon, which resembles a storefront.

The Marketplace opens with images of various listings near you. You can browse through the broad categories of items for sale. Or you can narrow down your search to a specific item.

To find antique furniture pieces, for example, you can enter the keyword "antique" in the search bar. You can also filter the results by category, location, or price. Under the categories section, you can browse items under:

• Clothing & Accessories
• Electronic
• Home sales
• Vehicles
• Entertainment

Next, tap the image to read more about the product description, its location, and the seller's name and profile photo. Then, contact the seller through messenger if you want to buy the item.

To sell, tap on Click a new listing under the Marketplace. Then, choose the product category, specify what you want to sell, and jot down a product description.

Set the location and price and upload product images, then click on Publish so that prospective buyers can view it in the Marketplace.

There are tons of benefits that come with using the Facebook Marketplace. Read on to find out.

Benefits of Using Facebook Marketplace

Facebook has roughly 2.93 billion monthly active users. Out of this number, more than 1 billion users visit the Marketplace every month. This provides access to a huge global audience for small businesses.

Let's delve into the benefits of using the Facebook Marketplace.

Saves You Money

Facebook Marketplace is mostly free. You don't pay to advertise your item. Buyers can also access the Marketplace at no cost.

You can find furniture pieces that are still in good condition at a fraction of the retail price. In the end, you'll save a lot of money while sprucing up your home with high-quality furnishings.

Verify the Seller Profile

Like any other online shopping platform, the Facebook Marketplace attracts scammers and swindlers. But you can always check out the profile of the seller or buyer to make sure they're genuine.

When you click on the furniture piece that you'd like to purchase, look up the seller's profile. First off, make sure they're in your locality. Check their Facebook profile to see if you share any mutual friends. A new Facebook profile with few friends is always a red flag.

Search their username on Facebook to see if there are other profiles with the same name and picture. If yes, that's another warning sign.

Seller or Buyer Ratings

Both sellers and buyers can rate each other to show whether they had a good or terrible experience. To rate a seller, you must have purchased something from them or engaged in a conversation with them.

The Facebook Marketplace has a 5-star rating. The overall seller rating is the sum of star ratings divided by the number of ratings received.

You can always check out the seller ratings before buying the piece of furniture from them. Alternatively, you can rate a seller to help prospective customers know what to expect.

The rating feature is not available on the main Facebook website. But you can access it on the Facebook app for Android, iPhone, or iPad.

Ease of Use

The Facebook Marketplace has a simple user interface that's easy to browse through and navigate. Unlike other apps, you don't have to scroll around intricate setup options.

Are There Any Risks?

Of course, online transactions come with their share of risks. The lack of regulations means you may get scammed on the Marketplace.

There's also no guarantee that what you get will match your expectations. While you can examine the item physically, Facebook doesn't offer any guarantees.

A good safety tip is to pay with Facebook Checkout. By doing so, you receive coverage through Facebook's purchase protection policy. But items bought through third-party payment platforms like PayPal or Venmo are outside coverage.

Use these important tips to help you find special, affordable furnishing pieces in no time.

Tips for Shopping on Facebook Marketplace

Train the Algorithm to Show You What You Want

The Facebook Marketplace algorithm works by showing you similar products to what you've searched for or viewed before. For example, if you've been looking for a couch, the algorithm would suggest sofas that look similar to what you're viewing.

The trick is to narrow down your search to using type, category, and price point. Also, be persistent with your search, and you'll soon find the piece you want.

Do a Quick Price Search on Other Websites

You always want the best deal when buying a furniture piece. So you should compare the price of the desired item with that of similar products on other websites.

On average, customers visit at least three websites before buying a product. The more money a customer intends to spend on an item, the longer they'll spend looking for affordable prices online.

Move Quickly When You Find Something You Like

If you're searching for a farmhouse table or antique chair, prepare to act immediately once you spot the piece on the Marketplace. Other buyers are also on the prowl, and the quickest one to contact the seller wins.

The Bottom Line

Sprucing up your home doesn't have to be a costly proposition. Facebook Marketplace is a genuine bazaar where you can find furniture pieces with plenty of character and aesthetics that fit your budget. However, you need to be patient to find exactly what you need.