Happy Tuesday, friends! Today I want to share with you a few tips for buying on Facebook Marketplace! I’ve found some amazing deals, so come check them out!
My husband and I joke that we hardly ever buy anything new. We buy used cars, trucks, boats, lawn mowers, jet skis, tractors, furniture, and anything else you can think of! And we’ve all bought used houses, right? It makes sense to buy things that have been gently used so we don’t pay full retail price for perfectly good products. And we pass down toys, clothes, shoes and sporting equipment to family members and friends. Not that they need it, but because we can. Which brings me to a great source of used things. Facebook Marketplace!
Last year during the height of the pandemic, our son, daughter-in-law and infant son (Ford) came to stay with us. They didn’t know how long they would stay so they only brought a tiny bassinet. After a few weeks the baby outgrew the bassinet so we decided to buy a crib. They had a wooden Pottery Barn crib at their apartment and we wanted something similar at our house so the baby would feel at home, like this one. (This photo is from PB Kids)
So I turned to Facebook Marketplace and searched for Pottery Barn cribs. I looked every day for about a week then spotted this one. For $100 I bought the crib and the toddler conversion kit. What a bargain! A new PB crib retails for $1000 plus extra for the conversion kit. We got it home and I disinfected it with bleach wipes and touched up some of the scuffs with a marking pen and some stain. And our darling grandson loves it! We initially put the bed in their room since he was so little.
Eventually we moved the crib into his Pops office. The little guy sleeps much better in this room because it’s so dark in here. Plus, he’s not interrupted by his parents when they go to bed or want to sit up and read while they are at our house. See that cute sign over his crib?
It was free on our neighborhood FB Marketplace! I quickly claimed it and thought I could use it here or at our own lake house.
I decided to hang it over Ford’s crib at this house. It’s sweet, fun and he loves monkeys! And that chandelier? Facebook Marketplace too! (Not free)
I got this cute car by Little Tikes for free. It’s missing the canopy and well loved, but still has lots of miles left on it. And you can see by the expression on our grandson’s face, he adores it! (Honestly had I known how much he would love it, I would have bought one for him.)
I scored this cute train table for free on FB Marketplace too. The folks were cleaning out their children’s playroom and they didn’t use it anymore. It was big, bulky and they wanted it gone. THAT DAY. So, I ran out and picked it up. I didn’t know if our kids would even want one yet since their baby just turned one, but I couldn’t pass it up. As luck would have it, the next time our son came over, I showed it to him. He said they were actually shopping for a train table for Ford’s playroom. Perfect! And free.
I got this pretty brass candelabra for free too. What was it my grandmother used to say? “My name is Jimmy, I’ll take what you gimme?”LOL.
So, here are my tips for buying things on FB Marketplace. First of all, be safe. Make sure you meet in a neutral place or do front porch pick up. Take a friend with you. When we bought the crib, my husband went with me to their home and the crib was disassembled and in their garage.
Also, clarify before hand that the furniture is from a smoke-free environment. We certainly don’t want furniture that reeks of smoke for our babies or in our home. Pet-free furniture is also a must. We typically do not buy upholstered pieces unless we are sure they are from smoke and pet-free homes. (I am allergic to cats and no one wants dog hair or pet stains on furniture.) I’ve bought some awesome chairs and had them reupholstered. But first, you want to make sure they are in good shape, well made and sturdy.
Be sure that all of the pieces are intact including screws, etc. Sometimes when people disassemble a piece of furniture they misplace the allen wrench and/or screws that go with the piece. In the case of the crib, all were accounted for making it not only easy to put together, but nice and sturdy.
Search for Free items. You’d be amazed at what people give away! Either their kids have outgrown something, or they no longer have a use for it. Sometimes it’s easier to list something for free and have someone else haul it away for you rather than have to list it for sale, etc. Or even to take the time to take it to Goodwill.
The main reason I like to buy second-hand furniture and accessories on FB Marketplace is I can find one-of-a-kind pieces for great prices. Vintage items are usually very well made and only require a good cleaning, paint and some TLC. (The only thing I won’t buy vintage is a crib. You want to ensure that your little one is in a crib that meets all of today’s safety standards.) But I’ve found some of my favorite chandeliers, end tables and beds frames second hand. Or perhaps third hand! (Just make sure that the wiring is checked on chandeliers and light fixtures and that there is no lead paint.)
I could go on and on about things I’ve bought on FB Marketplace or at consignment and antique stores. So, if you find something and it’s free or a great price, get it! And if you find you no longer love it or need it? Pay it forward!
Have a great day, sweet friends! And if you follow me on Facebook and Instagram, I thank you! I just hit 1000 followers on IG and I’m so excited! So, if you don’t mind, please share me with your friends and you can always find me here! Much love, Dell
