Facebook Marketplace: how it works and new fees to look out for

Facebook Marketplace is a useful route for those looking to sell their unwanted items, but there are new fees to be aware of for some sellers.

If you’re looking to sell something online, such as toys your kids no longer play with or exercise equipment you’ve realised you’re never going to use, then there is no shortage of options open to you. If you want to go down the auction route then you can use the likes of eBay, while if it’s a simple listing you’re after then Gumtree has long been a popular route.

Then there’s Facebook Marketplace, the social media giant’s own selling platform which allows you to sell your unwanted items to people in your area.

In the past, these sales have relied on personal delivery or collection. You advertise the item you’re selling, agree a price with a buyer, and then arrange between you when the exchange will take place. However, that’s changing, with the introduction of a new delivery service.

Getting deliveries with Hermes

In-person deliveries and collections have always been free through Facebook Marketplace, and while they can be straightforward, they can also be something of a hassle if you end up selling to or buying from someone who is a bit difficult. Ultimately it’s the luck of the draw.

As a result, the new delivery service on Facebook Marketplace may be more appealing if you don’t fancy having to take time out of your own day to drop off the item you’re selling, or to wait around in the hope of it being dropped off.

What’s more, as you don’t have to coordinate diaries in the same way, it should open up your selling options, particularly if you are limited by not being able to drive.

The delivery service was introduced last month, and involves sellers sending the items to the purchaser through the delivery firm Hermes. At the moment the service is free, but from 1st January there will be a 2% fee on deliveries. 

This fee is based on the combination of the cost of the item and the delivery charge. It’s up to sellers to dictate whether the postal cost is paid by buyers or sellers ‒ clearly, if you cover the cost yourself, it will improve your chances of finding a buyer but will also impact the amount you make.

Sellers need to input the product information for the item they are selling, like its size and weight, and Hermes will then calculate the total. Sellers then have to package the item up and take it to a Hermes drop-off point.

How to make money selling on eBay

How do I pay?

Up to now, Facebook Marketplace transactions have often been handled in cash. However, as part of the delivery service the site has paired with the payment firm Stripe to handle transactions. 

Sellers will have to set up a Stripe account, meaning buyers can pay directly through the social media site.

There is a protection policy in place to support buyers if the item they receive is damaged or doesn’t meet its description, which means they can request a refund. If the buyer simply changes their mind, they can request a refund from the seller but they will have to arrange that ‒ and the return of the item ‒ between themselves.

Making the most of selling on Facebook Marketplace

There are a few big selling points to using Facebook Marketplace if you’re looking to sell some unwanted possessions, compared to rival sites.

The first is the fact that listings are free. If you sell through eBay, for example, then you may have to pay for the privilege, but selling on Marketplace means that you’ll keep every penny you make.

It’s also pretty straightforward. You can upload your ad straight from your phone, including photos and a description of the item, and the price. As always, the better the description and the quality of the pictures, the better the chances of finding a buyer. 

You’ll also want to select what ‘category’ the item falls under, so be sure to think carefully about what’s most accurate. Categories include the likes of ‘vehicles’, ‘entertainment’, ‘family’ and even ‘free stuff’.

While you’ll have to confirm your location when placing your ad, any interested buyers won’t see your exact location, just a vague area.

Prospective buyers will then get in touch with you directly, allowing you to haggle over the price and arrange a delivery or collection time. 

One of the biggest frustrations of selling through Facebook Marketplace is just how varied the interactions with buyers can be. Some will respond to comments quickly, while others will express an interest and then go silent. 

It’s up to you who you choose to sell to ‒ some will happily take a smaller price if they are dealing with someone responsive and seemingly reliable ‒ but you can also boost your chances of a smooth interaction by making clear in your advert that you want to shift the item by a specific time or date.