I can’t be the only one who picked up “in this economy?” as one of their new favourite phrases, right?

So, if you’re shocked by the cost of living and want a little more spending money without getting another job, you’ve come to the right place.

The Green Line will be sharing ways to make petty cash, and we’re starting with Facebook Marketplace.

These tips also apply to other selling apps like Depop, Vinted, Karrot, etc., but we’ll be focusing on Facebook Marketplace because I have to use my five-star rating somehow.

Step 1: Assess who you are as a seller

When you’re selling on apps, know your boundaries and limits:

• Are you selling your items at a firm price, or are you willing to allow negotiations or best offers?
• Are you only allowing pickups from a certain location, or are you okay dropping it off somewhere or meeting in a neutral location? 
• Are you offering to mail an item if they pay for shipping?
• How fast do you need items to sell to get extra money?

Step 2: Find your items to sell and create a post

Once you’ve decided who you are as a seller, it’s time to find items you want to get rid of for extra cash.

• Be very specific in your post descriptions to avoid unnecessary questions from people. Add the size, brand name and colour, include the material list, describe any stains and adjust the price to reflect the damage if there’s any.
• If you’re trying to sell stuff on Facebook without alerting your entire friend list, you can select the option “hide from friends” when you’re making your post.
• I also like adding in my post descriptions how I’m willing to sell the item, which is usually meeting up in a public location since I sell smaller items that can be easily moved.
• I also add that I prefer cash, but e-transfer is another option.

Don’t forget to take nice photos of the item that aren’t blurry and that show it off well with good lighting and nice angles.

Step 3: Be prepared for lowball offers and scammers, and stay safe

Selling on Facebook Marketplace is not for the impatient. It can take a while for some items to sell, and you’ll usually get offers that are ridiculously low for the item. That’s why I tell myself what the item is worth before listing it, so I can ignore messages like that.

Also be aware of scammers. Here are some common signs of a scammer when you’re the seller:

• They try to move the conversation off Facebook to make it harder to track the scam.
• They claim to have paid, but nothing has come in yet. They may send a fake screenshot of payment, try to get you to click a payment link, or say they overpaid and want a refund.
• They try to get personal information from you to use later.

In general, if you’re getting a weird vibe, trust your gut and block the buyer, then leave the conversation. I’d rather be wrong than lose money or get hacked. You can also report a conversation to Facebook if you are worried they were trying to scam you.

Another way to avoid mass messages from people who aren’t reading your description is to add a line, “If the post is up, the item is still available,” or “I won’t respond to messages asking if it’s still available.”

If you do sell an item, tell someone you trust where you’re meeting up and text them after the transaction to let them know it went well and that you’re safe. If the buyer is coming to you, have someone else with you if possible or on the phone while the buyer picks up the item. 

If you’re dropping off the item somewhere, look up the area beforehand to see if it makes sense to go there or if it’s out of the way or hard to get to. Again, have someone on the phone, tell people where you are going and when you’re done.

Step 4: Getting paid

As I mentioned in step two, I add a line in the description with my preferred payment option, so there aren’t any surprises. Be upfront when if you only take cash and no e-transfer, or if you prefer another option like PayPal, so the buyer has time to set it up or back out.

Personally, I don’t make people send deposits for items. Instead, I take payment when we meet up after they’ve verified the item is in good condition. Don’t be surprised if you get ghosted after asking for a deposit because the buyer may think it’s a scam, so be as specific as possible about why you want a deposit or hold on the item before meeting up to avoid confusion.

All in all, sometimes you get lucky, and your item sells fast, making it a simple transaction. Sometimes, it can take a bit longer. I’ve learned to keep an item up and renew the listing in case someone finally wants it. 

Our senior editor and Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Yara El Murr, also suggests posting in your local neighbourhood group if they allow selling. She said that she has better success there than on Facebook Marketplace.

Would you sell on Facebook Marketplace

• Yes
• No
• I already do

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About scams on Facebook marketplace