I’ve been selling old tech gear for on Facebook Marketplace for a while now, and I quite enjoy the process.
At this point, I think it might as well turn into a hobby, but we won’t get to that for now.
I usually close a sale pretty quickly — within a couple of days or even the same day I post the listing. The exposure is impressive compared to other platforms popular in Vietnam that I’ve tried, and I assume it’s likely because more people are shopping for good deals on used electronics and gadgets. The fastest deal I’ve ever made was in October last year when I listed my fiancée’s old iPhone 12 after we upgraded ours. Just 15 minutes after the listing went live, someone messaged me, and within an hour, the deal was complete.
If you often sell used gear like I do, you probably already know this: how you present your items or market your products plays a huge role. High-quality photos and good lighting make a difference, as does keeping the gear in excellent condition. I always include the original box and accessories, and write a few remarks about the item in the description to add a bit of a personal touch. Looking at other listings, I’ve noticed that this isn’t the norm, so having these small details definitely helps me stand out.
That said, even having great photos and mint-condition gear doesn’t guarantee a sale. Typically, it starts with a potential buyer expressing their interest. We’ll go back and forth a bit, sometimes negotiating before finalizing and agreeing on when to meet. In the past few cases where things were a bit slow, I started following up with people who went quiet after their initial message. To my surprise, this simple step has helped me close a few sales.
It turns out that sometimes people forget, sometimes they’re testing the waters or hoping to get a better deal, and sometimes they just need a little nudge or reassurance from you before they commit. Negotiations can be tricky, and staying patient and open-minded can go a long way. Once in a while, someone will make a really low offer and think it’s justified for one reason or another. Instead of telling them they’re crazy, I’ve found it more effective — and productive — to swallow my pride, listen, and try to understand their perspective. By engaging and “speaking their language,” we usually manage to meet in the middle. In the end, we both get what we want — they’re happy with the purchase, and I’m happy to earn something from things I no longer use while finding them a new home. Sometimes, I meet cool people who share similar hobbies for tech along the way.
I suppose what I’ve learned from these experiences is that selling — whether on a marketplace app or in life — isn’t merely a transaction. Much like design and what I do professionally, selling is inevitable. It’s about connection, understanding, and being adaptable. Maybe, in a way, we’re all selling something all the time. And it helps to approach things with kindness.