Facebook Marketplace is a great way to source secondhand items for your home. However, even with the potential to discover your new favorite oil painting or mid-century modern kitchen table, there are also plenty of items you should avoid purchasing from the digital platform. To help you get the most bang for your buck, we spoke to interior designers who shared the items they say never to buy on Facebook Marketplace.
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Mattresses
A new mattress can be an investment, but buying one new is better and safer than going the secondhand route. "Recycled mattresses are a no-go because of sanitation issues," says Alecia Taylor, designer at CabinetNow. "You just don't know how well they were kept or cared for, and they cannot easily be sanitized enough that you can safely use them." Plus, you can't test it out in person to know if it's comfortable enough for a good night's sleep.
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Large Appliances
Avoid purchasing large appliances on Facebook Marketplace unless the seller provides a receipt showing the year it was purchased and proof that it was in good working condition, says Jennifer Jones, Principal Designer at Niche Interiors.
While a seller will likely allow you to turn on the appliance, you probably won’t be able to test every feature, so you may purchase something that doesn’t completely work. It's best to buy appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves from somewhere that will give you a warranty.
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Mass-Produced Cabinetry or Built-Ins
Once built-ins or mass-produced cabinetry are removed from their original installation, they’re often no longer structurally sound, says interior designer Stephanie Calderon of Stephanie Calderon Interiors. "Pieces made from MDF, especially, can warp, chip, or fall apart during transport or reinstallation," she says. If you see these pieces on Facebook Marketplace, it's best to skip them.
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Bedding
Unless the bedding is still in its original packaging, purchasing used sheets, pillowcases, or comforters from Facebook Marketplace isn't advised, says interior designer Christina Melander of Knotty Pine Design. It's possible that the bedding isn't sanitary or that pests like bedbugs could be an issue. The risk isn't worth it.
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Baby Furniture
Baby furniture must meet strict safety standards, which change often, says Nancy Dow, an interior designer at Sierra Living Concepts. It's even possible that the item was the subject of a recall since it was initially purchased. "Some pre-owned cribs may lack essential safety labels, guides, or original parts. These oversights can lead to dangerous construction issues," says Dow. "When selecting baby gear, I stress that it should be new."
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Patio Furniture
Unless you can thoroughly inspect it in person, avoid patio furniture from Facebook Marketplace. "It tends to wear out quickly, and wear isn't always apparent in photos," Melander says. "This is especially true for loungers and chair cushions." You also don’t know if the previous owner properly stored and cared for the cushions, and improper storage can pose quality concerns.
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Anything Heavily Customized
Unless you’re an expert refinisher or like a good challenge, steer clear of any furniture that has clearly been modified or heavily DIY'd, says Alice Moszczynski, interior designer at Planner 5D. Even if you think the item has a lot of potential, removing layers of chalk paint or scraping stickers off of a piece of furniture isn’t ideal."It might look cute in photos, but up close, it could have drawers that don’t glide or paint that chips at the first touch," she adds.
