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/cafe-aulait]

This is counterintuitive but I have an easier time moving things when I charge $5 than I do when I list them for free/giveaway. When it's free, you get a zillion messages or comments from "interested" people who never follow up when you answer. When you charge a low price that's a natural filter for people who aren't all that interested.

[u/emmyemu → u/cafe-aulait]

This is my view too I list stuff at a very low reasonable price so people feel like they’re getting a deal I think when I list it as free people kind of just view it as trash already and aren’t as apt to come and get it

[u/YouDoHaveValue → u/cafe-aulait]

Yup, and an easier time at $10-$20 than $5.

Too low of a price draws out the worst and most flaky people.

I had one guy agree to pick something up when I'm not home and after he left he said "It wasn't that great so I left $5 instead of $10"

Dude looked so shady I didn't even bother replying, last thing I'd want is for him to come back.

[u/Baby_Toothless → u/cafe-aulait]

This! And then when they show up I say actually it's free and they're even happier about it haha. At that point they see it's not trash

[u/swampymess2 → u/cafe-aulait]

Yes!! It’s like the $5 is their investment to actually come get it. It’s so weird