Facebook Marketplace is weird. One scroll you’ll see a $5 vintage Pendleton blanket worth $80, and the next you’ll see someone asking $200 for a broken IKEA desk.
That chaos is exactly why there’s money to be made here. People don’t know what they have. They price things to get rid of them, not to maximize profit. Your job is to spot the deals hiding in the mess.
Here’s how to find deals worth your time on Facebook Marketplace.
Why Facebook Marketplace is Different
Unlike thrift stores where someone has already priced items, Marketplace is individuals just trying to clear out their stuff. This creates opportunity.
The Good:
- Sellers often underprice items significantly
- You can negotiate easily
- Local pickup means no shipping costs
- Less competition than picked-over thrift stores
- New inventory constantly being posted
The Challenging:
- Lots of overpriced junk to wade through
- Flaky sellers and buyers
- Time spent messaging and meeting up
- No consistent quality control
The winners on Marketplace are the ones who can quickly filter the gems from the garbage.
What to Actually Look For
Not everything on Marketplace is worth flipping. Focus on categories where people consistently underprice:
Furniture (Especially Mid-Century Modern)
People give away furniture because it’s heavy and they need it gone. A dresser someone lists for $50 because they’re moving this weekend could easily sell for $200+ on a platform like Chairish or even local delivery.
Look for:
- Mid-century modern pieces (clean lines, tapered legs)
- Solid wood over particle board
- Known brands (Drexel, Heywood-Wakefield, Lane)
- Interesting vintage pieces
Sporting Goods and Exercise Equipment
Exercise equipment is often bought with good intentions and sold cheap when those intentions fade. Golf clubs, bikes, weight sets, skis, and kayaks can all be found well below market value.
Red flags: Cheap brands like Huffy bikes. Look for name brands like Trek, Specialized, Titleist, Callaway.
Power Tools
Guys who bought tools for one project and never used them again. Estate sales and cleanouts where someone doesn’t know what they have.
Look for: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch. Check model numbers against sold listings. Some older models are worth more than people realize.
Electronics
TVs, gaming consoles, speakers, cameras. People upgrade and just want the old stuff gone. Be careful with condition and always test before buying if possible.
Clothing and Accessories
This one requires more knowledge but can be very profitable. Designer bags, vintage clothing, shoes that people just want out of their closet.
Collectibles and Vintage Items
This is where having specific knowledge pays off. Pyrex, vintage toys, vinyl records, sports memorabilia. The seller probably doesn’t know the difference between a $5 and $500 item.
Red Flags That Waste Your Time
Learn to spot these and scroll past:
Clearly overpriced: If someone is asking near-retail or above for a used item, they’re not motivated to sell. Move on.
“I know what I have”: If they write this in the listing, they’ve probably checked eBay and priced at the top of the range. No deal here.
Stock photos or unclear photos: Either they’re hiding something or it’s a scam.
Vague descriptions: “Works great!” with no other details usually means they don’t know (or don’t want you to know) specifics.
Too good to be true: A brand new PS5 for $100? It’s a scam.
No response or slow response: If you message and don’t hear back within a day, they’re probably not serious about selling.
How to Search Effectively
The default Marketplace search is mediocre. Here’s how to search better:
Use Specific Keywords
Don’t search “furniture.” Search “mid century dresser” or “Danish teak” or “Drexel.”
Don’t search “shoes.” Search “Jordan 4” or “Red Wing boots” or “Ferragamo.”
Specific searches find specific deals. Generic searches find generic junk.
Search Misspellings
People misspell brand names constantly. That “Carhart” jacket or “North Fase” or “Pathagonia” won’t show up in normal searches. The misspelling means less competition finding it.
Try common misspellings of brands you know.
Set Up Alerts
For brands or items you flip regularly, set up search alerts. Get notified when new listings match your criteria so you can be first to message.
Expand Your Radius
Your city might be picked over. But 30-40 miles away? Different inventory, different sellers. If the deal is good enough, the drive is worth it.
Check “Free” Listings
Yes, people give away things with real value for free just because they want it gone immediately. Check the free section regularly.
The Message That Gets Responses
Most people send terrible first messages. “Is this available?” gets ignored.
Here’s a better approach:
Be specific: “Hi! I’m interested in the Trek bike. Is it still available? I’m free to pick up today.”
Show you’re ready to buy: Mention that you can come today or tomorrow. Sellers love fast, easy transactions.
Ask a real question: “Does the TV have any dead pixels or issues with the display?” shows you’re serious.
Don’t lowball immediately: Build rapport first. If you’re going to negotiate, do it after they’ve engaged.
Negotiation Tips
Most Marketplace prices have room for negotiation. But do it right:
- Wait until you’re in conversation, not the first message
- Justify your offer (“I’ve seen similar ones go for X” or “There’s a small scratch here”)
- Offer to pick up immediately in exchange for a lower price
- Be polite, not pushy. Some people would rather not sell than feel disrespected
- Have a walk-away number in mind
Example: Listed for $100, you want to pay $70.
“Thanks for the quick response! I’m definitely interested. I noticed there’s some wear on the corners. Would you take $70 if I pick up today?”
Some will say yes. Some will counter. Some will say no. That’s fine. You miss 100% of the negotiations you don’t try.
Verifying Value Before You Buy
Before you commit to anything, verify the flip is actually worth it:
- Search eBay sold listings for the exact item
- Calculate your real profit (don’t forget platform fees if you’re reselling online)
- Factor in your time (driving 45 minutes each way for a $15 profit isn’t worth it)
- Consider condition honestly (pictures can be deceiving)
If the math doesn’t work after fees and time, pass. There will be other deals.
Flipping Locally vs. Online
You have options for selling Marketplace finds:
Flip it locally (back on Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp):
- No fees (or very low fees)
- No shipping hassle
- Faster transaction
- Usually lower final prices
Flip it online (eBay, Poshmark, Mercari):
- Higher fees
- Shipping involved
- Potentially much higher prices
- Larger buyer pool
For furniture and large items, local is usually the play. For clothing, shoes, and electronics, online often nets more money.
Watch Out For Scams
Marketplace has scams. Learn to spot them:
The “shipping” scam: They’re in another city but will ship if you pay. Don’t.
Too good to be true pricing: If it seems like a steal, it probably is (in the bad way).
Zelle/Venmo payment scams: Especially common with electronics and high-value items.
Meeting in sketchy locations: Always meet in public, during daylight. Many police stations have designated safe exchange spots.
Bait and switch: The item doesn’t match the photos when you arrive. Walk away.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
The Time vs. Money Calculation
Marketplace flipping takes time. You’re messaging, waiting for responses, driving to pickups, sometimes getting stood up.
Be realistic about what your time is worth:
- If you make $20/hour at your job, is this flip worth the 2 hours it’ll take?
- Is that $30 profit worth the 40-minute drive each way?
- How many hours per week can you actually dedicate to this?
Sometimes the most profitable decision is passing on a deal because the time investment isn’t worth it.
Building a Sustainable Marketplace Habit
The most successful Marketplace flippers have systems:
Daily scanning: 10-15 minutes checking new listings in your target categories
Saved searches: Set up alerts for brands and items you know well
Response templates: Have go-to messages ready so you can respond fast
Defined pickup zones: Know how far you’re willing to drive for different profit levels
Immediate action: When you find a deal, message instantly. Speed wins on Marketplace.
The Bottom Line
Facebook Marketplace is messy, frustrating, and full of overpriced junk. It’s also one of the best places to find underpriced deals if you know what you’re looking for.
Success comes down to:
- Knowing which categories have consistent deals
- Searching smarter than everyone else
- Responding fast and professionally
- Verifying value before committing
- Being honest about time vs. money
The chaos that makes Marketplace annoying is exactly what makes it profitable. Most people don’t want to deal with it. Their loss, your gain.
Now go find something underpriced.