Finding the right item to add to your home decor, whether it’s an eye-catching item or a perfect complement to items you already have, can be difficult (if you’re not looking in the right place).
Over the past few years, Facebook Marketplace has become a hot spot for people looking for a good price on everything from antique furniture to dishware. You can find almost anything on the platform, but it may take some skill to find what you really want at a price you’re willing to pay, and in your area.
For a beginner, it can be a difficult process when it comes to deftly navigating the site. We asked the experts to share their best tips for finding your dream home on the site.
meet the expert
- Victoria meadows Victoria is the owner and interior designer of Meadows Interiors.
- Ilya Mundut Works at home decor company Hefty Berry.
Learn more about keywords
It may be just the thing for you that the table or chair you’ve been desperately searching for should be listed under “.farmhouse” or “mid-century modern.” However, not all brains think alike. A salesperson may not know or use the same terminology that seems obvious to you.
So you search with keywords you think are accurate and come up empty. This does not mean that the item is not among the thousands available on the platform.
“Sellers in a hurry to clean out their garage won’t spend much time researching what the technical name of the item they’re selling is,” says Victoria Meadows, owner of Victoria Meadows Interiors.
“The best way to find great stuff is to look for ‘vintage,’ ‘Antique,’ or ‘old,’ and a color or type of item you’re looking for.”
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Make tech work for you
When you search for specific items, website bots pay attention – Marketplace is no different. Your searches depend on what the platform will show you.
So if you don’t see what you really want, keep putting that descriptive information into the search engine. Ultimately, you may be able to achieve something and get what you want.
Don’t settle for big-box reproductions, says Meadows. Take the time to discover the real thing. Chances are good that eventually, you’ll find it.
do your research
As with all online shopping, it’s a wise move to delve deeper into the quality and authenticity of an item. Many of us have probably experienced disappointment when a deal made over the Internet proved unsuccessful. Save your time and wallet by doing homework.
Ilya Mundut, who works at home decor company Hefty Berry, says digging into the dimensions of an item is as important as having a thorough understanding of the details.
She also suggests checking the price of similar items on different websites, if possible, to make sure you’re getting the best price. Read reviews of what you plan to buy to make sure it will fit your plans.
work on weekends
Many sellers on Facebook Marketplace posted their Goods On weekends because it is their time to rest and clean their homes.
“Grandma’s garage cleanouts typically take place on Saturdays and Sundays, and items can sell out as quickly as they were listed,” says Meadows.
communicate well
When you find that perfect item to complete the look of your home, but the price seems a little high, step back. If you can wait to get it, find a bid that works for you. Facebook Marketplace isn’t a store, so prices aren’t always fixed.
Friendly bargaining may help you negotiate an item you really want. That said, understand that shamelessness is not appreciated by sellers. Although you are conversing over the Internet, you are still conversing with another person, so behave as if you were talking to them in person.
A great experience now may pay off later with discounts, bundles of similar items or information about where you can find other Upholstery To complete your treasury.
be ready to take it now
Never underestimate the power of urgency. A listing may generate very little interest, however, so a mere statement of “interest” often does not translate into a sale.
A huge differentiator? If you know you want a particular piece and are willing to pay what is being asked, make sure you are clear that you are willing to pay and take it immediately.
“Sellers who want to sell their stocked items quickly will signal that you are more serious than the standard ‘is it available’ inquiry,” says Meadows.
When you jump into Facebook Marketplace it may seem like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack, but that’s far from the truth. Being persistent, changing your searches, and being prepared at all times will help you find the right thing you need for your home.
