Facebook released a new buy & sell platform called Marketplace for users in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The new feature was announced today at the newsroom blog. It looks to become a friendlier alternative to buying and selling items on Facebook Groups, though the company will also maintain this function on the social network.
A short video was released to highlight Marketplace’s possibilities, which could start competing with Craigslist, according to various sources. Marketplace will be an independent function that users can access on Facebook, like Messages or the News Feed.
“MORE THAN 450 MILLION PEOPLE VISIT BUY-AND-SELL GROUPS EACH MONTH — FROM FAMILIES IN A LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD, TO COLLECTORS AROUND THE WORLD,” wrote Mary Ku, Director of Product Management at Facebook.
How will Facebook’s Marketplace work?
Users will be able to access Marketplace through a ‘shop’ button on the bottom bar of the new Facebook app. It is unclear how it will appear on the desktop version. The platform opens with a list of items people are posting for sale near the user’s location.
According to the article, Marketplace requires users to be over 18 years old. The app allows users to search for items in a particular place or by category, covering Apparel, Electronics, Household, among others.
Once the user chooses an item they want, selecting it presents them with information about the seller, including location and contact details. Users then can message the seller (privately) for more information or make them an offer, an option that allows price bargaining. The app also shows how many people have viewed the selected item.
Facebook does not include any payment or shipping options on Marketplace. The purchase and the delivery must be agreed by both parts independently.
Selling your stuff on Marketplace
Users can add an item to Marketplace by directly taking a picture of it or uploading a photo from their ‘Camera Roll’ or ‘Gallery’. The app requires users to enter a product name, a short description, and the price.
Potential sellers must then confirm their location on the app and select a particular category where they will advertise their products. Upon posting, users can also choose to have their products included in other buy-and-sell Facebook Groups.
Users can also review their Messages and Posts in the Marketplace through the ‘Your Items’ section, which also contains any items the user has saved for later in the app, like in an Amazon wishlist.
Source: Facebook Newsroom