Finding the perfect home decor piece, whether it’s a staple piece or the perfect complement to what 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 great deals on everything from antique furniture to cookware. You can find almost anything on the platform, but finding what you really want, at a price you’re willing to pay and in your area can take some skill.
For beginners, it can be a difficult process when it comes to navigating the site smartly. We asked the experts to share their best tips for finding your dream piece on the website.
Meet the expert
- Victoria Meadows is the owner and interior designer at Victoria Meadows Interiors.
- Ilia Cleanses works at a home improvement company, Hefty Berry.
Dig deeper with keywords
It might make perfect sense to you that the table or chair you’re desperate for should be listed under “farmhouse” or “mid-century modern.” However, not all minds think alike. The seller may not know or use the same terminology that seems so obvious to you.
So you search for keywords you think are correct and come up empty. This does not mean that the item is not among the thousands and thousands on the platform.
“Sellers who are rushing to clean out their garages won’t spend much time researching exactly what the item they’re selling is technically called,” says Victoria Meadows, owner of Victoria Meadows Interiors.
“The best way to find fantastic merchandise is to search for ‘vintage’, ‘antique’ or ‘old’ and the color or type of item you’re looking for.”
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Make technology work for you
When you search for specific items, website bots take into account – the market is no different. Your searches go into what the platform will show you.
So if you don’t see what you really want, keep pumping that descriptive information into the search engine. Eventually, you might just hit something and find exactly what you’re looking for.
Don’t settle for big-box reproduction, says Meadows. Take your time to look for the right thing. Chances are you’ll find it eventually.
Do your research
As with any online purchase, delving deep into the quality and authenticity of the item is a wise move. Many of us have probably experienced the disappointment when an online bargain turns out to be a bust. Protect your time and wallet by doing your homework.
Ilia Mundut, who works at the home improvement company, Hefty Berry, says that you need to dig into the dimensions of the object, as well as fully understand the description.
She also suggests checking the prices 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 work for your plans.
You work on weekends
Many sellers on Facebook Marketplace post their wares on the weekends because it’s time for them to rest and declutter their homes.
“Granny garage cleanouts tend to happen on Saturdays and Sundays, and things can sell as quickly as they were listed,” says Meadows.
Negotiate nicely
When you find the perfect thing to complement the look of your home, but the price seems a little too high, back off. If you can wait to get it, then make an offer that suits you. Facebook Marketplace isn’t a store, so prices aren’t always fixed.
A friendly bargain can get you a bargain on an item you really want. However, understand that salespeople do not appreciate brashness. Even though you’re negotiating online, you’re still communicating with another person, so act like you’re talking to them politely in person.
A good experience now could pay dividends later with a discount, a bundle of similar items, or information on where to find other decor to complement your treasure.
Be ready to download it now
Never underestimate the power of immediacy. An ad might generate a lot of lukewarm interest, however, a mere statement of “interest” often does not translate into a sale.
One big differentiator? If you know you want a particular piece and are willing to pay what is being asked, be sure you are willing to pay and pick it up right away.
“Sellers looking to drop their inventory quickly will get a hint that you’re more serious than a standard ‘is this available,'” says Meadows.
It may seem like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack when you jump into Facebook Marketplace, but this is far from the truth. Being persistent, changing your searches and being prepared at all times will help you find the perfect piece that your home needs.