For quite some time, Facebook — and especially its groups — has been a popular spot to buy and sell items and services within your local area.
Now the social network is making that even simpler with the rollout of an integrated Marketplace this week.
Since this is clearly a new chance for Savinly readers to both snag bargainsandearn some extra cash, I had to take a look.
My initial reaction was unsurprising: It seems like a handy spot to locate secondhand furniture, inexpensive baby clothes and toys, auto parts, tools, antiques and other items you’d typically see on Craigslist.
Selling through Facebook reduces anonymity, which makes me feel more comfortable as a shopper.
Facebook did face criticism this week over reported technical glitches that allowed illegal listings to appear. The company has apologized and is working on patches.
That said, you don’t need illegal wares to discover some downright bizarre items for sale.
Much like Craigslist has long been, this largely unmoderated peer-to-peer marketplace is a hotbed for the unusual. Its modern layout and presence inside the Facebook mobile app make these oddities more visible than ever.
Here are some of the strangest listings I encountered today in our home state of Florida:
1. A Baby (Sort Of): $175
At first glance you might think this is an actual infant. It takes a moment to notice it isn’t.
The workmanship on this doll is impressive, but OH MY— it’s creepy. You can’t shake the sensation that you’re buying a real baby on Facebook.
Trying to picture the purpose for this doll is tricky. It’s pretty steep for a child’s plaything. It could serve as a prop for film or theater, though that detail is missing from the product write-up.
Prominently included in the description is this sentence: “I do not take orders or custom make dolls to look like your child.”
2. Headless Doll and Headless Panda Combo: $180
Speaking of dolls… These appear to be intended for crafters and makers.
The pairing is somewhat unsettling, partly because of this line in the panda listing: “He has a magnet so he can attach to your doll’s head.”
So if what you’re after is a figure with a woman’s body and a panda’s head, your search ends here.
3. Hurricane Dissipation Meditations: $1,000
Look — I’m into positive energy. I admire that some folks once attempted to levitate the Pentagon.
And if we’re voting, I’m not a fan of hurricanes.
Even so, I can’t wholeheartedly support a seller peddling what they call hurricane dissipation meditation — even with a claimed 88 successes since 2005.
Per this Marketplace post, the seller says they’ve spent over 20 hours on “focused hurricane dissipation meditations” and “simply cannot donate an additional 100+ hours to tame this monster — and not have income coming in for my own household.”
They’re seeking a sponsor to cover lost wages while they devote the next two weeks to dissipating Hurricane Matthew.
In return, the seller promises “Focused Hurricane Dissipations 30 minutes on, 20 minutes off for 10 hours a day until we are all safe on the entire east coast — not just Florida.”
4. Hurricane Supplies: Prices Vary
Despite dissipation attempts, Hurricane Matthew was indeed heading toward the East Coast. Floridians on the Atlantic side are using Marketplace to both ask for and sell storm supplies.
If you’re scrambling to stock up at the last minute, this listing might point you to what you need. That said, we suggest preparing well ahead of the next storm so you’re not dependent on the social platform for your family’s safety.
Also, be mindful of facebook marketplace scams that can sometimes surface when urgent demand spikes.
5. To-Go Meal: $1
I can’t decide whether this is an attempt to rival Yelp, or someone actually selling an uneaten meal for $1.
Either way, I’m passing.
6. Lingerie: $55
This seems like a solid bargain for Victoria’s Secret lingerie — brand new, not previously worn. My only question is… why all the emojis?
Your Turn: Are you using the new Facebook Marketplace to save or make money?
Alex Mercer is a staff contributor at Savinly. He’s written for various outlets and aims to inject humor where appropriate.
