I was introduced to the world of Facebook Marketplace by my brother and dad when I was still in high school. At the time, I thought the whole thing was pretty much a scam. I didn’t believe that people were just selling things for so cheap all the time.Â
I never really bought things on Marketplace until moving to college, but since then, I haven’t been able to stop. If I need to buy something, my first move is usually to open my phone and see what sorts of stuff I could get for the right price. It’s great for selling your own used stuff too.
Another perk of Marketplace is that you are usually buying from people who live near you, which builds community and makes the deals feel that much more legitimate. My freshman year of college, I sold two pairs of skis on Marketplace. It makes buying and selling so much easier, especially when you don’t have to involve yourself with a consignment store.
Later on that year, I had been spending enough time scrolling the app to come across the real deals. $40 skis seemed to be falling into my lap while I could still sell mine for $200+ because people just want anything cheaper than brand new gear.
I’ve since bought three pairs of skis and their respective bindings on Marketplace for a fraction of what it would have cost me anywhere else. It is true, however, that used gear isn’t as nice as buying new. But with Marketplace, you generally are getting what you pay for.
You may be buying skis for only $200, but they are going to last you less time than brand-new skis. It’s a give and a take, but for other students like me who don’t regularly have thousands of dollars at their disposal, buying used is the best way to go.
Facebook Marketplace is a great place to go for other things too. Used furniture, available housing rentals, and even jobs. Last year, I even bought my truck from Marketplace. It’s nice to connect with real people and shake their hand in person before buying something you want to last, like skis or a car.
For my friends and me, Facebook has saved us thousands of dollars and strengthened the community here in Bozeman, MT. Buying and selling between students helps everyone offload extra gear and purchase at a budget. Go check it out if you’re curious to see who’s selling what near you!