One of my favorite platforms to make larger purchases through is Facebook Marketplace. Facebook Marketplace initially launched in 2016, connects local buyers and sellers. It can be used for everything from a baseball card all the way up to a car. When I was in high school, I had saved up a decent chunk of money and was looking to buy a car in cash. I would spend an hour each day looking at various listings on different platforms but Facebook marketplace was my favorite since I could message the seller instantly, and scroll through options like it was a social media feed. Although I eventually found my car on autotrader, the vehicle was also listed on Facebook marketplace and that was how I connected with the seller, and eventually got the vehicle. The seller was able to share my interest for cars with me and tell me about some of the other vehicles in his collection, which made the transaction super personable and left both parties benefiting. When I was moving a couple years ago I had about $400 to furnish my room but wanted mid century modern furniture, which is expensive and often in high demand. I was able to find a bed off of facebook marketplace that was mid century modern, and the seller also had a dresser and a nightstand that was at the price and style that I was looking for and I was able to furnish my room the way I wanted. The seller also had a connection to some family friends of ours, which shows how this large platform can create a sense of community. I sold a bike jump I was no longer using over Facebook marketplace, and the buyer was a father looking to get something for his son. It was really nice to get rid of that item knowing some kid will have great use out of it like I once did. I was able to go full circle and take the money from selling the jump and put it towards a new set of tires for my car. Although there is not a ton of traditional salesmanship involved with Facebook marketplace, you can learn about how creating a sense of trust can impact a sale. This was true with the seller of the car telling me about his collection, the person with the furniture having a connection to our family friends, and the father telling me about his son’s interest. Finally, you learn that a good sale is mutually beneficial, and can leave both parties feeling great.
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I agree with you, Facebook Marketplace is awesome and even though there is not too much of traditional salesmanship involved with it, you can still establish levels of trust. Great example with the person who was selling the car and how they established a relationship with you. Great sales a mutually beneficial and Facebook Marketplace gives that sales experience to many.
Marketplace is a very useful medium for connecting to other people in sales scenario, I’ve used it several times for either researching or making purchases, and am preparing to use it to purchase a car in the next few months.
Awesome Owen! I think Facebook Marketplace is a great topic because it is used by so many college students. I agree that it is very important to build trust on a platform like that.