Facebook Selling

Hello Everyone!

Happy Friday! I hope you're all having a great end of the month and ready to celebrate this long weekend. I know I am!

I wanted to write up a quick post about Facebook selling since I've gotten a few requests on tips. So I've decided to share my best ones!

I am currently working on a minimalist year. This means I'm trying not to buy as much 'stuff' I don't need and I'm trying to get rid of stuff I really haven't used in the last 6-12 months. So far, it's been pretty successful! I think since January I've recovered close to $800 so no complaints. When I move in the fall, I want to be able to pack light and also, more money in the bank instead of money wasting away in my closet!

I have had a lot of success with selling through local Facebook Buy/Sell groups and the Facebook Marketplace. I find that a lot more people are jumping on here now to look for second hand items, as opposed to Kijiji or Ebay since most people are on social media daily and they can communicate quickly and efficiently.

If you're looking to start selling on Facebook, here are my tips:

1) Price your item 10-15% higher than the lowest price you would take. I find that if I price an item for $50 most people will ask if I'll take $40. This helps you to not lose out on money. But don't give in too quickly. If you're selling a brand new pair of Michael Kors heels and someone offers you $20....someone better will come around.

2) Make sure you put all relevant information in the post. Some people don't actually read the posts, so you'll probably still get useless messages asking for info. It is easier to just type 'refer to post' than to answer all questions. Honestly, this is a tedious part of selling on Facebook but sometimes I just ignore those messages and go for the ones that are interested right away.

3) Bring the items that you post with you during the day. I find if I post let's say 3 items/ week, I have set locations on where to pick up....BUT if I'm out and about that week I'll leave the items in my car (depending if the weather won't ruin them). That way, if I'm running errands at lunch or after work it's easy to find a place to meet instead of going out of my way. I will NOT deliver items, unless the place is on my way to somewhere I'm going and I will not meet in a private setting. Always exercise caution and either go with a friend, or meet in a public setting like a mall parking lot. I do this because if you're around other people, someone is less likely to mug you or worse. This is the other good thing about selling on Facebook as opposed to Kijiji...Facebook lets you screen your buyers!

4) Don't post too many items at once. At first I got crazy when I did this and I'd post SO many that I'd lose track. It's easier to post 5 / week and then keep them up for 1-2 weeks or until they sell. Once that time has passed, take them down and post some new items. I am giving myself this entire year to sell the items I currently want to sell. So if by December 31st these items don't sell, I will be donating them or figuring out how to repurpose them.

5) People are flaky. Some people will message you and string you along for a while, and then stop. If they do, just move on. It's easier to go onto the next person than it is to wait for that person to respond.

If you are looking for some good selling groups, I recommend Winnipeg Buy and Sell and Winnipeg Clothing Sell. You have to request to be in both of them, but just make sure when you're posting that you read the rules first so that you don't get booted or have your posts deleted.

My goal for selling items in July is going to be $150, so it's going to be a busy month but I've got a few bigger priced items that I need to get rid of and I am more determined than ever to do so! Let's start the month stronger together!