I'm in the process of building a small home on my parent's property, and my goal is to be as cost-effective and eco-friendly as possible. This means I want to buy used items whenever I can. However, I've found that Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are now flooded with vendors and drop shippers, making it nearly impossible to find genuine listings from individual sellers. I'm specifically searching for things like cabinets, bathtubs, sinks, and doors, but all I see are ads from companies offering installation services. We're planning to visit our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore this weekend, but it's quite a drive for us. Is there another online marketplace or platform where I can find second-hand items from individuals, similar to how Craigslist used to work? Any tips on how to make the current options more usable would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Try filtering your Facebook Marketplace searches by local pickup only. It helps to exclude the shipping options and gets you better results. Also, setting a minimum price can save you from scrolling past all the free junk.
If you're looking for items directly, consider checking with local remodelers. They might have leads on people disposing of old stuff or even be willing to sell you what they take out.
You should definitely check out local salvage yards or Habitat for Humanity stores. They often have what you need for much cheaper than retail prices. Even if they're a bit of a drive, it's usually worth it for the savings!