Facebook Marketplace Profit Calculator
Calculate your Facebook Marketplace profits including 10% selling fees, 2.9% payment processing, and shipping costs. Track ROAS/ACOS for advertising on local pickup and shipped items.
Listing Details
What you paid for the item or cost to make it
Local pickup = NO FEES! Facebook Marketplace is 100% free for local transactions. Shipped items incur 10% selling fee + 2.9% processing fee (Feb 2025 update).
What the customer pays for shipping
What you pay to ship the item (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.)
Profit Summary
Profitable Sale
This sale will generate a positive profit after the 10% selling fee, 2.9% processing fee, and shipping costs.
Net Profit
$0.00
After fees & shipping
Profit Margin
0.0%
Excellent margin
Total Revenue
$0.00
What customer pays
Total Costs
$0.00
Item cost + fees + shipping
Detailed Breakdown
Save Money with Local Pickup
If you sold this locally instead of shipping, you'd save $0.00 in fees (and avoid shipping costs).
Your profit would be $0.00 instead of $0.00.
Fee & Cost Breakdown
Facebook Marketplace Profit Calculator: Master Local & Shipped Sales
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is a peer-to-peer selling platform built into Facebook that allows you to sell items locally or ship them nationwide. Unlike other selling platforms like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon, Facebook Marketplace charges ZERO fees for local transactions where the buyer picks up the item in person.
This makes Facebook Marketplace one of the most seller-friendly platforms available. For shipped items, Facebook charges a 10% selling fee plus 2.9% payment processing fee - still lower than many competitors. Understanding when to use local pickup versus shipping can dramatically impact your profitability.
Facebook Marketplace Fee Structure
Facebook Marketplace has the simplest fee structure of any major selling platform. Here's exactly what you'll pay:
Local Pickup Sales
$0.00 - Completely FREE
When a buyer picks up an item locally and you handle payment outside of Facebook (cash, Venmo, etc.), you pay absolutely no fees. This is Facebook Marketplace's biggest advantage over competitors like eBay (13% fees) or Etsy (9.5% fees).
Shipped Sales (Nationwide Shipping)
- •Selling Fee: 10% of the sale price. This fee only applies when you ship the item using Facebook's checkout and payment system (Feb 2025 update).
- •Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% of the total (item price + shipping). This covers credit card processing. Shopify merchants are exempt from this fee if they integrate their Shopify store.
- •Your Shipping Cost: You pay the actual cost to ship the item (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.). Facebook provides discounted USPS shipping labels, or you can use your own carrier.
Important: Fees Only Apply to Shipped Items
If you list an item and the buyer picks it up locally, you won't pay ANY fees even if you initially listed it with shipping enabled. The 10% selling fee and 2.9% processing fee only apply when you actually ship the item through Facebook's checkout and shipping system. This gives you maximum flexibility to negotiate local pickup even on shipped listings.
Local Pickup vs Shipped: When to Use Each
Choosing between local pickup and shipping impacts your profit significantly. Here's how to decide:
Best for Local Pickup
- •Large/Heavy Items: Furniture, appliances, exercise equipment, pianos, etc. Shipping costs would eat all profit on these items.
- •Low-Price Items: Items under $50 where the 10% + 2.9% fees and shipping cost would significantly hurt margins.
- •Fragile Items: Glassware, ceramics, electronics that might break in shipping and result in returns/refunds.
- •Local-Only Items: Perishable goods, plants, or anything that doesn't ship well.
- •Maximizing Profit: When you want to keep 100% of the sale price with zero fees.
Best for Shipping
- •Small/Light Items: Clothing, books, small electronics, collectibles - things that ship cheaply via USPS First Class or Ground Advantage.
- •Higher-Value Items: Items over $100 where the 10% + 2.9% fees are still reasonable compared to your profit margin.
- •Wider Audience: When you want to reach buyers nationwide instead of just your local area.
- •Faster Sales: Shipping listings get more visibility and sell faster than local-only listings.
- •Unique/Niche Items: Collectibles, vintage items, or specialty products that might not have local demand.
Pro Tip: Enable Both Options
You can list items with shipping enabled but also note "Local pickup available" in the description. This maximizes your audience while still allowing you to save on fees if a local buyer comes along. Many sellers prefer local pickup and will actively search for it, even on shipped listings.
How to Maximize Facebook Marketplace Profits
Pricing Strategies
- •Research Comparable Listings: Search for similar items on Marketplace to see what they're selling for. Price competitively but not necessarily the lowest.
- •Factor in ALL Costs: For shipped items, include the 10% selling fee, 2.9% processing fee, AND your actual shipping cost in profit calculations before setting a price.
- •Use "Or Best Offer": Facebook allows negotiation. Price slightly higher to leave room for haggling, which buyers expect on Marketplace.
- •Bundle Items: Selling related items together (e.g., "3 books for $20") increases average order value and makes shipping costs more worthwhile.
Reduce Shipping Costs
- •Use Facebook's Discounted Labels: Facebook offers USPS Commercial Pricing which is often 20-30% cheaper than retail USPS rates.
- •Weigh Items Accurately: Overestimating weight costs you money. Use a kitchen scale for small items and weigh before listing.
- •Use Smallest Box Possible: USPS charges by weight AND size (dimensional weight). Tight packaging saves money.
- •Save Packaging Materials: Reuse boxes, bubble wrap, and packing materials from your own online orders instead of buying new.
Local Pickup Best Practices
- •Meet in Public Places: Use bank parking lots, police station lots, or busy stores for safety. Some police stations have designated "safe exchange zones."
- •Accept Cash or Verified Payment Apps: Cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App work well. Avoid checks which can bounce.
- •Screen Buyers: Check buyer profiles before agreeing to meet. Look for established accounts with positive ratings.
- •Set Clear Expectations: Describe item condition accurately with photos. This prevents disputes and "price renegotiation" at pickup.
Who Benefits Most from Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace is ideal for:
- •Casual Sellers: Decluttering your home, selling used items, or running a garage sale without the hassle of physical setup.
- •Furniture Sellers: The zero-fee local pickup model is perfect for furniture, appliances, and other bulky items.
- •Resellers/Flippers: People who buy items at thrift stores, garage sales, or liquidation auctions and resell for profit.
- •Small Business Owners: Local services, handmade goods, or niche products that benefit from low/no fees.
- •Anyone Prioritizing Profit: If maximizing your profit per sale is the goal, the 0% fee on local sales beats every competitor.
Common Facebook Marketplace Profit Mistakes
Mistakes That Kill Profit
- •Underestimating Shipping Costs: Sellers often price items without checking actual shipping costs first, then lose money when shipping costs more than expected.
- •Not Offering Local Pickup: Enabling shipping only limits your audience. Many buyers prefer local pickup to avoid shipping wait times.
- •Forgetting the Fees: Sellers see a $100 sale and assume $100 revenue, forgetting the 10% selling fee + 2.9% processing fee on shipped items (about $13 total).
- •Poor Photos: Bad lighting or unclear photos result in fewer views and lower sale prices. Good photos increase selling price by 20-30%.
- •Accepting Lowball Offers: Buyers will often make extremely low offers. Don't feel pressured to accept - counter with a fair price.
- •Not Checking Comps: Pricing without researching what similar items actually sell for leads to overpricing (no sales) or underpricing (lost profit).
Final Thoughts
Facebook Marketplace's zero-fee local model makes it one of the most profitable platforms for sellers, especially for furniture, appliances, and lower-priced items where fees would otherwise eat into margins significantly.
Use this calculator before listing items to determine whether local pickup or shipping makes more sense for your profit goals. For many items, the difference between local and shipped can mean 13-20% more profit in your pocket simply by avoiding the 10% + 2.9% fees and shipping costs.
Remember: Facebook Marketplace is built for local transactions. While shipping expands your audience, don't overlook the massive profit advantage of local pickup - it's the platform's killer feature and the reason it's overtaken Craigslist as the go-to local selling platform.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
Does Facebook Marketplace charge fees for local sales?
No. Facebook Marketplace is 100% free for local pickup transactions. If a buyer picks up the item in person and you handle payment outside of Facebook's checkout system (cash, Venmo, Zelle, etc.), you pay zero fees. This is Facebook Marketplace's biggest advantage over competitors like eBay (13% fees) or Etsy (9.5% fees).
What are the fees for shipped items on Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook charges a 10% selling fee on the sale price plus a 2.9% payment processing fee on the total (item price + shipping) when you ship an item using their checkout system (Feb 2025 update). For example, on a $100 item with $10 shipping, you pay $10 selling fee (10% of $100) plus $3.19 processing fee (2.9% of $110), totaling $13.19 in fees. Shopify merchants are exempt from the 2.9% processing fee if they integrate their store. Local pickup sales are completely exempt from ALL fees.
Should I offer shipping or local pickup only?
It depends on the item. Large, heavy, or low-value items (furniture, appliances, items under $30) should be local pickup only - shipping costs would eat all profit. Small, light, or high-value items (clothing, electronics, collectibles) work well for shipping since the 5% fee is reasonable and you reach a nationwide audience. Many sellers enable both options to maximize sales while still allowing fee-free local transactions.
How much does it cost to ship items on Facebook Marketplace?
You pay the actual shipping cost, which varies based on weight, size, and distance. Facebook provides discounted USPS shipping labels (20-30% off retail rates) which you can purchase directly through the platform. For example, a 1-pound package might cost $4-$8 via USPS First Class or Ground Advantage. You can also use your own shipping carrier (UPS, FedEx) if you have better rates. Always weigh items and calculate shipping costs BEFORE pricing to ensure profitability.
Is Facebook Marketplace safer than Craigslist?
Generally yes, because buyers and sellers use their real Facebook profiles with visible history and mutual connections. You can screen buyers before meeting by checking their profile, ratings, and how long they've been on Facebook. However, you should still follow safety best practices: meet in public places (bank parking lots, police station safe zones), bring a friend, accept only cash or verified payment apps, and trust your instincts. Never meet at your home or the buyer's home.
Can I run a business on Facebook Marketplace?
Yes. Many resellers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs use Facebook Marketplace as their primary sales channel. The zero-fee local model makes it profitable for business use. However, be aware of Facebook's selling policies - certain items are prohibited (weapons, animals, medical items, etc.), and you must accurately describe item condition. Also consider tax implications if you're making significant income - you may need to report earnings to the IRS.
What payment methods should I accept for local pickup?
Cash is king for local transactions - it's instant, can't be reversed, and has no fees. Digital payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App also work well for tech-savvy buyers. Avoid personal checks (can bounce), cashier's checks (can be fake), and PayPal Goods & Services (buyer can dispute and get refund even after receiving item). For high-value items over $500, consider meeting at a bank where the buyer can withdraw cash or get a verified cashier's check.
How do I handle buyers who want to negotiate price?
Negotiation is expected on Facebook Marketplace - about 70% of buyers will make an offer below asking price. Price items 10-20% higher than your minimum acceptable price to leave room for negotiation. When you receive a lowball offer (30%+ below asking), counter with a price closer to your asking price. Don't feel pressured to accept bad offers - if your price is fair, the right buyer will come along. Use phrases like "firm price" or "priced to sell - no offers" if you won't negotiate.
What items sell best on Facebook Marketplace?
Top-selling categories include furniture (couches, tables, dressers), electronics (phones, laptops, TVs, game consoles), appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators), baby/kids items (strollers, cribs, toys), fitness equipment (weights, treadmills, bikes), and vehicles (cars, motorcycles, boats). Seasonal items also do well - outdoor furniture in summer, snow blowers in winter, back-to-school items in August. Items priced under $100 sell fastest, while high-value items over $500 may take longer but attract serious buyers.
How can I make my listings sell faster?
Use clear, well-lit photos showing the item from multiple angles. Write detailed descriptions including brand, model, condition, dimensions, and any flaws. Price competitively by researching what similar items actually sell for (not just what they're listed at). Respond quickly to messages - buyers often contact multiple sellers and buy from whoever responds first. List during peak browsing times (evenings and weekends). Use relevant keywords in your title so buyers searching for specific items find your listing. Consider offering both local pickup AND shipping to maximize your audience.