In the past few years, Facebook has really picked up its pace and apart from connecting just people, it has also developed a new connection: buying and selling. It first started with buying through professional Pages and through buying-and-selling groups but Facebook has now made it possible to buy and sell through a new feature called as ‘Facebook Marketplace’.

Much like the definition of the word ‘Marketplace’, Facebook Marketplace is also an arena of commercial dealings. Equivalent to that of US’s Craigslist and India’s OLX, it has officially been rolled out in India – making it the 37^th country to be operational in – since January 2018 starting with Mumbai. While Facebook hasn’t officially released it, it has already spread wide in India.

The new feature helps you discover, buy and sell items to people in your community and is available to everyone over 18 years of age. It offers sections for browsing, buying, selling and saved items with pictorials for easier reference. There are various categories available to choose from which include vehicles, car parts, furniture, clothing, electronics & computers, and even property to rent! The seller can set a price limit for items and restrict the area or the radius as well. The seller can specify the details of the items like the title, the description, the price and the location. A potential buyer can reach out to the seller through Facebook Messenger to inquire about the item and also check out the seller’s profile to find out if there are any mutual friends. However, Facebook does not facilitate the payment or the delivery of the product, it has to be worked out between the seller and the buyer. You can also rate the seller based on your experience and the product.

The concept of Marketplace is already known to India thanks to Amazon, Myntra, OLX and many more, but many face the issue of fake items and the seller is unknown with its information next to none; Facebook instead went with a more intimate approach with the seller and the buyer. It can help launch someone’s business be it a small one or a side one. The earnings from the sale will be restricted within the seller and Facebook will not claim its share from them. As these dealings can sometimes be done face-à-face, always meet in a public place or take someone trusted with you and make sure someone else knows where you’re heading. Protect your privacy by not sharing your financial information with anyone. Communicate with your buyer or seller after the shipping has been done about the shipping carrier, delivery status and tracking information. Never ship an item before full payment is received. All these tips will help ensure a safe and secure transaction.

Marketplace is clearly part of a large scheme of Facebook. And India foray is equally important, as the country is one of its largest markets in the world apart from the US.