Short answer: Good Marketplace etiquette comes down to clear commitments. Reply to "Is this still available?" by asking for a day and time. Hold an item only for a buyer who has committed to a specific time. Mark it Pending while that sale is in progress. Keep your price firm, politely. And when you're the buyer, show up when you said you would.
"Is this still available?"
It's the default message Marketplace offers buyers, so plenty of people tap it without much intent. Don't take it as a commitment. Reply with a question that asks for one:
"Thanks for your interest! Yes, it's still available. I'm in [Town]. What day and approximate time would work for you to pick it up?"
Serious buyers name a time. Browsers drift away, and you haven't given out anything but your town.
What "Pending" means
- Pending review: new listings go through an automated check before they're public. It usually takes minutes, sometimes up to a day. If a buyer messages and can't find it in search, that's why.
- Marked pending by the seller: a sale is in progress with another buyer. It's polite to mark it, and it cuts down on repeat questions. If someone asks anyway: "It's pending for a pickup today. I'll message you if it frees up."
Holds, deposits, and "first come, first served"
My rule is simple: the first buyer who commits to a specific day and time gets it. "Can you hold it until next week?" without a time isn't a commitment. I don't take deposits. They can be disputed, and they turn a simple sale into a negotiation if plans change.
Lowballers
Price fairly, then hold the line once, kindly:
"Thanks for the offer! The price is firm at $[X]. I've priced it fairly for a quick, easy sale. Happy to set a day if that works for you."
No apology, no counteroffer, no lecture. If they come back at your price, great. If not, the next buyer is usually close behind.
No-shows
They happen. Bring the item back in, and send something friendly that keeps the door open: "Looks like today didn't work out, so I've brought it back in. Message me when you're ready and we can set a new time." Plenty of no-shows come back. Two no-shows, move on.
For buyers: what sellers appreciate
- Ask a real question about the item, not just "available?"
- Name a day and time, and keep it, or message early if plans change.
- Bring the agreed payment, in the agreed form.
- If the seller says there's no need to knock, don't.
- Leave a rating. It helps the next buyer and the next seller.
Frequently asked questions
What does Pending mean on Facebook Marketplace?
It can mean two things. A listing can be pending review, which means Facebook's automated check hasn't finished and it may not be public yet. A seller can also mark a listing as pending, which signals that a sale is in progress with another buyer.
Should I hold an item for a buyer?
Hold it for a confirmed day and time, not indefinitely. The first buyer who commits to a specific time gets it. If they don't show, it goes to the next person.
Should sellers ask for a deposit?
I don't. Deposits sent through payment apps can be disputed, and they invite arguments if plans change. A firm day and time works better.
How do I deal with lowballers?
Reply once with a friendly, firm price: "Thanks for the offer! The price is firm at $40." No apology and no counteroffer. If they come back at the full price, great. If not, move on.
How should I reply to "Is this still available?"
Answer with a question that asks for a commitment: "Yes, it's still available. I'm in [Town]. What day and approximate time would work for you?" Serious buyers answer it.
Start with the screen
The free 60-Second Buyer Check is the one-page screen I run on every buyer before they get my address. The full Porch Protocol guide covers the rest: the two-message pickup setup, every script, printable porch signs, and pickups while you're home behind a locked door, plus when an away pickup makes sense.
Related: Facebook Marketplace selling tips · How to sell on Facebook Marketplace