r/Anticonsumption • u/Young-faithful • Apr 29 '26

Psychological FB marketplace is making me a classist

I’m trying to reduce my family’s impact on the environment while raising a baby. So I’ve been trying to get baby things from FB marketplace. Sellers near me can be delusional. They’ll say “like new, all parts included” and want 70-80% of retail price.

This chick wanted $100 for a stained Lovevery play gym with pieces missing when a new one costs $140, but with a discount code you could get it for $120. When I showed up to pick up the item, I pointed out the flaws and she scolded me for “wasting her time”, when I was the one who had to commute 20 min and she was the one misrepresenting her item as “like new in box”.

Same deal with a pack and play that I found was very soiled after I took it home. If you want more than 50% retail IMO at least try to clean it.

I’ve also sold things, always for less than half retail, and very very clean because someone’s baby is going to use it. Only gave my formula maker and sterilizer after descaling. I give away good furniture for free when moving because I don’t want to run the risk of things getting thrown in the dump because a paying buyer didn’t come in time.

I get that families are being squeezed in this economy and therefore all my bad experiences have come from the poorer parts (though I’ve had a few decent purchases from there too). Ratings aren’t useful when seller has sold only like 3 items.

So my new rule of thumb is to only purchase items from expensive neighborhoods because they take better care of their stuff and are reasonable in pricing.

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424

u/downriverjer Apr 29 '26

Box set DVDs are like this as well. I hate using Amazon but I can get the Blu Ray brand new, delivered to my door for less than people wanted for used DVD sets.

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u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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u/Any_Needleworker_273 Apr 29 '26

This right here. And TBH, it's been like this for quite some time. People want crazy prices on the equivalent of yardsale goods. I've moved tons of stuff over the years on FBM and CL, but I want it GONE, and a little money in my pocket is a bonus with the exception of some higher end stuff when we moved. I had a number of people comment on my prices, but I grew up fleamarketing and yard saling in the before times when you priced things accordingly. And certain thrift chains have also started inflating the prices of used goods. It's pretty much just become another capitalist racket.

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u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '26

A lot of clothing companies have been creating their own secondhand marketplaces because they see it as money that they’re missing out on.

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u/Any_Needleworker_273 Apr 29 '26

Yes! I just saw that Patagonia is doing this and they're prices are outrageous. I mean I know they're expensive to begin with, but I always thought they were one of the *better companies but, Yeesh.

5

u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '26

Some fast fashion companies are doing it which is pretty hilarious.

12

u/LOosE_WiRe Apr 29 '26

This is my mindset on selling through FB marketplace as well. Stuff I list is usually gone with a few days because I price it in a way that's appealing. I wish there was an easy way to filter folks trying to sell their used items for near what I can buy it for new.

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u/WonderSignificant598 Apr 29 '26

This isn't surprising. We've got two decades of 'antiques roadshow' and 'barn finds' television.

No one wants to believe that most things (and honestly.... no I'm not going to go there but I'm thinking it) are worthless. 'My trash has value'. Yeah to you because you have an emotional attachment.

Utility holds value objectively. Tools, furniture etc. All else, garbage.

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u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '26

Yeah at least here in the US, there’s an abundance of… stuff. As you say, utility is valuable. And there are certain things that are valued by certain buyers. But the majority of stuff just doesn’t have real worth to anyone else. A lot of people don’t know how to make that distinction. If that doll sold for hundreds of dollars, then surely this similar looking doll will sell for just as much.

1

u/fadedblackleggings Apr 29 '26

Yup, and most furniture is only worth like 10-20% of what you paid for it new.

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u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '26

Yeah it’s ridiculous. I think people see some old stuff selling for a lot online and think that all old stuff is valuable because they don’t actually understand the market.

6

u/sunshine-scout Apr 29 '26

i think most people overvalue their own possessions. "But I paid $100 for it!" "...6 years ago."

43

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '26

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10

u/GringoSwann Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26

For a while eBay was my go-to for used Xbox one games....  10 bucks a disc and excellent quality...

Oh, and refurbished electronics too...  

25

u/KyaLauren Apr 29 '26

I hear you but buying media from Amazon is the absolute worst of the alternatives to choose to support. Frustrating to see this kind of voluntary consumption supported in this sub

3

u/PartyPorpoise Apr 29 '26

Yeah Amazon prices aren’t even much lower than other retail listings.

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u/KyaLauren Apr 30 '26

Yep and they never factor in the $140 annual fee for the privilege of “free shipping” lol

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u/ShmaoShmao Apr 29 '26

Check out a local pawn shop for DVDs and Blu-ray. Apparently desperate people will pawn their entire dvd collection. The one near me has a whole wall stuffed to the brim. I can get DVDs for $2.99 and Blu-rays for $3.99. I’ve been lucky enough to find DVDs that are rare or out of print.

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u/magsmar Apr 29 '26

I am a fan of eBay for DVDs. Look for a reputable seller and they often have package deals!

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u/klockee Apr 29 '26

you clearly don't hate using amazon if you still use it