By: Sam Hoffek

Facebook’s Marketplace is meta’s version of ebay or Craigslist. Marketplace has been revolutionary to the purchase and selling of anything and everything materialistic. At first, logging into Facebook Marketplace the algorithms will show items it believes the user will be interested in. Once the user finds an item they are interested in they can message the seller through Facebook’s messenger app. 

The intent and idea of Marketplace and the actual execution vary largely based on the seller’s enthusiasm to sell the item. For example, someone wanting to sell a desk to make room in their house will be more consistent at replying to people than someone selling an item of  lower priority. Finding listings from high priority sellers is important to getting a fair or exceptional price for desired items. Additionally, the ignorance of the seller can be to the buyer’s benefit. A knowledgeable buyer knows the greater value of a rare or easily repairable item that a seller has failed to educate themselves on. The provided images or video can tell a story about an item. Damages, signs of aging and serial numbers are all important to look for to ensure an item is what the seller is claiming it to be. 

A large percentage of things sold on Marketplace are vehicles. Cars, trucks and SUVs are good examples of something that can vary largely in price based on its overall condition, age, rarity and enthusiasm of the seller. The typical Facebook Marketplace beater car that is anywhere from 10 to 40 years old will usually have many owners, a few of these owners may have neglected or abused the vehicle. In vehicles ranging from approximately $500-$3000, neglect is common. Ignoring basic services such as oil changes can lead to deterioration of vital engine components that allow the vehicle to function properly. 

Furthermore, neglect of the paint and bodywork can cause disintegration of the clear coat resulting in dull paint and rust. Rust should be a large factor when determining the value of a vehicle and whether to purchase it or not. Paying for a vehicle that is already starting to rust and crumble apart is never a good idea even if every other aspect of the vehicle seems good. Avoiding large amounts of rust is a must if a reliable vehicle is desired; if low-cost is what is appealing then rust can be used as leverage to lower the price during negotiations with the seller. Small amounts of rust can be repaired without replacing major costly components. 

Location of the seller should also be taken into consideration when deciding on a vehicle. Vehicles located in northern parts of the United States will be more rusty due to the salt used on roads during winter. Vehicles in the south will typically be cleaner than vehicles in the north unless the vehicle has been salvaged from a hurricane. Vehicles in the southwestern states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and southern California should be in better condition than vehicles of similar ages in northeast states.

When scrolling Marketplace look for vehicles with good images–  front, back, both sides and interior should all be included. Additionally, images of damage, vin plate and service receipts are good to be included.The seller should list any modifications in the description as well as images. Some vehicles that are heavily modified may be difficult to repair if something goes wrong. Be mindful of custom parts and judge their reliability.

Vehicles on Marketplace should be inspected and judged based on their condition and provided information. The price alone should not determine the value of the vehicle. Finding the right vehicle and seller situation for your budget contributes to the general smoothness of the Marketplace experience. 

Through looking deeper into Marketplace listings any item, not just vehicles, can be judged and profiled by the user. This article contains professional insights and advice based on the personal experience of the author and their extensive knowledge of Facebook Marketplace patterns.