Where to Find Facebook Marketplace on Your Device
Facebook Marketplace is a section inside the Facebook app or website where people buy and sell items locally. You reach it from the main menu on either your phone or computer.
On your phone, open the Facebook app and look at the bottom menu. You will see five icons: Home, Friends, Videos, Menu, and your profile picture. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines). Scroll down until you see "Marketplace" — it has a storefront icon next to it. Tap it to enter Marketplace.
On a computer, go to facebook.com and log in. In the left sidebar, scroll down past your groups and pages. You will see "Marketplace" listed there. Click it. If you do not see it in the sidebar, click "See More" at the bottom of the sidebar to expand the full list.
Key Takeaways
- Marketplace is built into Facebook and opens from the Menu on your phone or the left sidebar on your computer.
- You can browse items for free without posting anything, and you do not need a separate account.
- Listings show the seller's name, location, price, and photos — use the distance filter to see only items near you.
- Messages about purchases go through Facebook Messenger, and you arrange pickup or delivery directly with the seller.
- Facebook does not hold money or may provide transactions, so inspect items and meet in safe public places.
Browsing and Filtering Items in Marketplace
When you first open Marketplace, you see a feed of items for sale in your area. The listings are sorted by how recently they were posted, with the newest at the top. Each listing shows a photo, the item name, the price, and how far away the seller is from you.
To narrow down what you see, use the filter button at the top of the screen. You can filter by category (furniture, electronics, clothing, and so on), price range, distance from your location, and whether the item is new or used. On your phone, the filter button looks like a funnel. On a computer, it is labeled "Filters" in the top bar. Set your distance to show only items within a radius you are willing to travel — the default is often 40 miles or more.
You can also search for a specific item using the search bar at the top. Type what you are looking for — "dining table," "bicycle," "laptop" — and Marketplace will show matching listings. The search works across all categories and all sellers in your area.
Understanding Seller Information and Item Details
Every listing shows the seller's name, their profile picture, and a star rating if they have sold items before. Tap or click on the seller's name to see their profile, which shows how many items they have listed and what other people have said about buying from them. A seller with no rating is not necessarily unreliable — they may straightforward be new to selling on Marketplace.
When you open a listing, you see all the photos the seller uploaded, the full description, the price, and the seller's location. Some sellers include their phone number or other contact information in the description. Read the description carefully — it tells you the condition of the item, whether anything is missing or broken, and what the seller will and will not do (for example, whether they deliver or only meet for pickup).
If you have questions about an item, tap or click the "Message" button on the listing. This opens a conversation in Facebook Messenger between you and the seller. You can ask about the condition, arrange a time to see it, or negotiate the price. The seller will see your message as a notification and can reply whenever they check their messages.
Making an Offer and Arranging a Purchase
Some sellers allow you to make an offer below the listed price. If the listing has an "Make an Offer" button, tap or click it, enter the price you want to pay, and send it. The seller will see your offer and can accept, decline, or counter with a different price. This back-and-forth happens in Messenger.
Once you and the seller agree on a price, you arrange how to complete the sale. Most Marketplace transactions happen in person — you meet the seller, inspect the item, and pay them cash or through a payment app like Venmo or PayPal. Some sellers offer delivery for a fee, which they will mention in the listing or in your messages.
Facebook does not hold the money, process the payment, or may provide the transaction. You are responsible for inspecting the item before you pay, and the seller is responsible for delivering it or meeting you as promised. If something goes wrong — the item is not as described, the seller does not show up, or the payment does not go through — you will need to resolve it directly with the seller.
Safety Tips for Buying on Marketplace
Meet the seller in a public place during daylight, such as a parking lot, coffee shop, or busy street. Bring someone with you if possible. Tell a friend or family member where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Inspect the item thoroughly before you hand over any money. Test it if you can — turn it on, open drawers, check for damage. Ask the seller questions about how old it is, why they are selling it, and whether anything is broken or missing. If something does not match the listing or the seller's description, do not buy it.
Pay only when you are satisfied with the item and ready to take it with you. Do not send money in advance unless you are using a payment service with buyer protection, and even then, only for items from sellers with good ratings. Cash is safest because there is no dispute later — once you hand it over and take the item, the transaction is done.
Reporting Problems and Blocking Sellers
If a seller is rude, sends you unwanted messages, or posts listings that break Facebook's rules, you can report them. Open the listing or the message conversation, tap or click the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Report." Choose the reason — scam, inappropriate content, harassment, or another issue — and Facebook will review it.
If you do not want to see listings from a specific seller again, you can block them. Open their profile, tap or click the three dots, and select "Block." They will not be able to message you or see your profile, and you will not see their listings in Marketplace.
If you believe you have been scammed — the item never arrived, it was not as described, or the seller took your money and disappeared — report the listing and the seller to Facebook. You can also report the transaction to your bank or payment service if you used a credit card or payment app. Facebook Marketplace transactions are not covered by the same protections as purchases on other platforms, so reporting to your bank may be your only recourse.
Selling Items on Marketplace
To sell an item, open Marketplace and tap or click the "Create New Listing" button (usually a plus sign or "Sell Something" text). Choose a category, upload photos of the item, write a description, and set a price. Include details about the condition, size, color, and any flaws. Be honest — listings with accurate descriptions and clear photos sell faster and attract fewer disputes.
Once you post the listing, it appears in Marketplace for people in your area to see. Buyers will message you with questions or offers. Respond quickly and be clear about whether you accept offers, whether you deliver, and when you are available to meet. When someone wants to buy, agree on a price and a time to meet, then complete the sale in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook account to use Marketplace?
Yes, you must have a Facebook account to browse or sell on Marketplace. Your account does not need to be old or have a lot of friends — a new account works fine. However, some sellers may be cautious about selling to accounts with no history or profile information.
Can I return an item if I buy it on Marketplace?
No. Marketplace sales are between you and the seller, not between you and Facebook. Returns and refunds are up to the seller — there is no automatic return policy. Always inspect items before you pay and ask the seller about their return policy before you buy.
What should I do if a seller ghosts me after I agree to buy?
Send them a follow-up message asking to confirm the time and place you agreed on. If they do not respond within a day or two, they may have changed their mind. You can move on to another listing. If you already paid them, report the transaction to Facebook and contact your bank or payment service.
Is it safe to give my address to a seller for delivery?
Only if you trust the seller and they have good ratings. For high-value items, consider meeting in a public place instead. If you do arrange delivery, ask for a photo of the item before they come, and do not pay until it arrives and you inspect it.
Can I use Marketplace on my computer and phone at the same time?
Yes. Your Marketplace account is the same on both devices, so your saved items, messages, and listings appear on all of them. If you start a conversation with a seller on your phone, you can continue it on your computer.