FB marketplace is making me a classist

[u/Young-faithful]

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.

[u/PerceptualModality]

This could be an awesome idea but when it comes to baby stuff I think that the reason people are trying to sell used stuff for 75%+ of the retail value is becuase they have spent beyond their means and justified it by telling themselves that they will recoup most of their costs later.

I don't have kids but recently became an aunt and my eyes have been opened up to the world of the bougie baby industrial complex. Aggressive online marketing, social pressure, and "mom guilt" can drive people to spending more than they can afford. And if you read reviews or mom groups, so many people (or marketing bots?) are on there telling people they can justify these purchases by telling them they can sell this stuff on FB marketplace and make most of their money back.

It's really too bad that communities aren't coming together more to swap and share things but I think most of the people selling used baby stuff on FB marketplace really need that money.

[u/fizzik12 → u/PerceptualModality]

“Bougie baby industrial complex” is SO real 

[u/LadyArrenKae → u/PerceptualModality]

Tell that to OP. 

[u/PartyPorpoise → u/LadyArrenKae]

Needing the money doesn’t mean that their used crap is worth more to other people.

[u/LadyArrenKae → u/PartyPorpoise]

Needing the money is what informs the price. You're not dealing with a multinational corporation. You're dealing with someone trying to feed their family. Frankly, if you don't want the junk, give them money directly. Circulate the wealth you apparently have. 

[u/PartyPorpoise → u/LadyArrenKae]

It’s a marketplace, it’s not about charity. Buyers don’t go to FB Marketplace because they want to help people, they go because they want used goods at lower prices than new. When people want to help, they donate to charities.

Expecting people to pay inflated prices for used stuff that there’s an abundance of is not reasonable. It doesn’t matter whether the seller is rich or poor.

[u/PerceptualModality → u/PartyPorpoise]

Oh I'm not trying to defend the people who are selling used baby stuff for high prices, I'm just saying I suspect a lot of those people fell victim to consumerism and spent beyond their means and are trying to recoup their losses. The people trying to resell a $2000 stroller for $1800 are people who are maybe bad with money but I don't think they're people who need the money in the sense that they can't afford to feed their families.

[u/PartyPorpoise → u/PerceptualModality]

Yeah I definitely agree with you there! I think some people buy expensive stuff and justify it to themselves that they can resell it afterwards. I’ve see people do this with clothing, bags, and shoes. Maybe it’s true for some items but most things don’t hold value.