How to get a Facebook Marketplace purchase home safely
By the BoxHauls team, reviewed by John Marcus IV
To pick up furniture from Facebook Marketplace safely, measure first, meet in daylight, inspect before you pay, and have a truck and a second person lined up before you go. Here’s the full checklist.
Before you agree to buy
- Get dimensions. Ask the seller for length, depth and height, or measure from the listing.
- Measure your doorways and stairs.
- Ask about the pickup. Stairs? Elevator? Ground floor? Where can a truck park?
- Agree on a time in daylight.
Before you go
- Tell someone where you’re going.
- Line up a truck and a second person. If you’re hiring a truck and driver, book it before you confirm the time with the seller.
- Bring moving blankets, straps and a tape measure.
At the seller’s
- Inspect before paying. See the checklist below.
- Pay only after you’ve seen it, using a method that leaves a record. Never send a deposit for an item you haven’t seen.
- Don’t go inside alone if you’re uncomfortable. Ask the seller to bring it to the garage or curb.
Inspection checklist
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Bed bugs | Seams, joints and under cushions: dark spots, shed skins |
| Frame | Wobble, cracks, broken joints |
| Drawers and doors | Open and close every one |
| Upholstery | Stains, tears, smoke or pet smell |
| Mechanisms | Recliners and sleepers: run them fully |
If the seller no-shows
Message them, wait 15 minutes, and leave. Don’t send money to hold a new time.
More Marketplace guides are in the guides index.
Questions
How do I pick up furniture from Facebook Marketplace?
Measure the item and your doorways, confirm the pickup time and stairs with the seller, inspect the item before paying, and have a truck and a second person lined up. Meet in daylight and tell someone where you're going.
What's the safest way to pay a Marketplace seller?
Pay in person after you've inspected the item, using a method that leaves a record. Never pay a deposit to hold an item you haven't seen.
What should I check before buying used furniture?
Look for bed bugs along seams and joints, check for wobble and broken frames, open every drawer, and smell for smoke or pet odors.