Take a moment to think...what comes to mind when you think of Facebook?

An outdated platform where distant conservative uncles air out their conspiracy theories?

A slow-running app flooded with ads and used only by boomers?

An uncomfortable social media experience flooded with the stories of people that you’ve long lost touch with?

Although Facebook is certainly antiquated when it comes to social media function, it still offers certain features that other social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok don’t offer. I’m talking about Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Groups: both of which are great for shopping for secondhand clothing and lifestyle items.

Today, we’re going to break down Facebook Marketplace and 5 tips on how you can best use it to thrift unique clothes!

What Is Facebook Marketplace?

“Marketplace is an e-commerce platform that connects sellers and buyers through meaningful interactions and unique goods.”

Facebook Marketplace is free to use, gives you access to sellers locally and internationally, and leverages confirmed social media user logins for authenticity and security.

If you’re new to this function on the platform, here are five tips that you should follow for the best thrifting experience!

1. Search Using Keywords, Location, and Listing Date

The best thing about Facebook Marketplace is the locality. You can set your searches to only browse within a specific geographical area, which helps you decrease shipping costs, cut down on emissions, and promote circularity within an existing local community.

From there, further narrowing your search with specific keywords and organizing them by “most recent listings” first will increase your chances at finding the specific item you want from a responsive and active seller.

To take things a step further, you can proactively set keyword notifications for very specific listings so that once something pops up, you’re the first to hear.

2. Double Check For Defects & Clarify Dimensions

As with any sort of online thrifting, it’s important to double-check for any defects and clarify product dimensions.

Look the photos over carefully and explicitly ask the seller if the garment is damaged in any way. If there are minor tears or stains, request photos and then assess whether or not the damage is worth fixing.

Additionally, we all know that clothing sizes can be quite arbitrary and vary drastically from brand to brand. Asking for specific garment measurements (chest, waist, hip, inseam) will help to ensure that the piece fits or drapes on your body the way it was intended to do so.

3. Act With Urgency

Urgency is the name of the game when it comes to thrifting.

If you come across a garment that you really want, message the seller immediately. This gets the conversation started and puts you at the top of the buyers’ list.

Once you’ve been confirmed as a buyer, take that same urgency and apply it to all the steps that follow. Schedule a pickup ASAP; show up with the correct change in an appropriate form of payment; show up to the pickup on time. Remember to be polite and responsive and to express your interest outright.

That being said, once you do arrive at the pickup, inspect the item before paying--double check on the quality, look for imperfections, and check for smells. Just because you’ve shown up to a meeting does not mean that you are obligated to buy the item if it does not match the description. Take your time to look over the physical product before exchanging money. It’s better to be safe than to regret your purchase!

4. Bundle When You Can (But Also Be Mindful Of Unnecessary Purchases)

Bundling is when you purchase multiple items from a single seller at a discounted price. This can be a great way to save money but as with any sort of discount or selling tactic, it’s easy to accidentally purchase too much.

The key here is to browse mindfully with a specific list of garments in mind. If it so happens that a single Facebook Marketplace seller carries multiple items on that list, then you’ve lucked out and can save a great deal.

5. Think Outside Of The box

This is a general thrifting tip, but if a garment doesn’t quite hit the mark of what you’re looking for, don’t give up on it. Maybe the size is off or it’s not the color that you envisioned; would it be worth it to bring the garment to a tailor or to dye the piece?

The thing about thrifting is that you can find really unique pieces but sometimes they don’t fully match your list of qualifications. Take creative liberty here and brainstorm ways to solve the problem.

It might take a bit of trial and error, but once you’ve made the call to upcycle or alter a few pieces, you’ll get a better understanding of what is worth fixing and what is best to just skip.

Have you ever used Facebook Marketplace? With the holiday season right around the corner, it can be a great way to pick up some secondhand items to gift. What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for thrifting through this online platform?