Quick answer
Open Marketplace (in the app: Menu > Marketplace, or See more if it’s hidden), open the item, then tap Message to write to the seller or Send to ask “Is this available?”. In the iPhone or Android app, your chats are in Inbox in Marketplace or in Messenger. Our advice: see the item before you pay, and never share a code sent to your phone.
Does this match what you see?
- You want to buy something you saw on Marketplace.
- You’re not sure how to contact the seller.
- You can’t find your conversation with a seller.
- You want to check a seller before paying or meeting.
iPhone & iPadAndroidComputer (browser)
Buying steps from Facebook Help “Buy something on Facebook Marketplace” (computer, iPhone, Android, iPad and Facebook Lite tabs, supplied by the site owner). Purchase Protection, checkout and shipping aren’t covered here: they aren’t available everywhere and we haven’t sourced Meta’s pages for them yet. The safety checklist is our own advice.
Why this happens: the possible causes
How a Marketplace purchase usually works. Our own summary.
| Step | Where |
|---|---|
| Find the item | Search, filter and sort |
| Contact the seller | Message or Send |
| Agree price, payment and meeting | In the chat |
| Check it’s genuine before paying | Our checklist |
| Rate the seller afterwards | Marketplace ratings |
- Buying starts with a message to the sellerCheck this first
Meta says you send a message to the seller to arrange a sale: tap Message (your own message) or Send (“Is this available?”).
- Not available in every countryPossible
Meta says the feature may be unavailable for countries in Europe.
Try these 60-second checks first
- Can’t find Marketplace in the app? Meta says to tap See more in the menu.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order. They start with the quickest, safest checks and only move to steps that sign you out or remove data later.
Fix 1: Message the seller to buy an item
Meta’s buying steps for each device.
iPhone & iPad
- Tap Menu, then Marketplace. If you can’t see it, tap See more. (On iPad, Menu is in the bottom right.)
- Tap the item you want to buy.
- Tap Message to send your own message, or Send to send “Is this available?”.
Android
- Tap Menu, then Marketplace. If you can’t see it, tap See more. (Facebook Lite uses the same steps.)
- Tap the item you want to buy.
- Tap Message to send your own message, or Send to send “Is this available?”.
Computer (browser)
- From your Feed, click Marketplace in the left menu.
- Click the item you want to buy.
- Click Message to send your own message, or Send to send “Is this available?”.
Our tip: “Is this available?” is quick, but a short custom message (when you can collect, and a question about the item) often gets a faster, clearer reply.
Did it work? Your message appears in the conversation with the seller.
Did Fix 1 solve it?
Great, you fixed it with Fix 1. Tell us it worked, or bookmark this page in case it happens again.
Where to find your conversations with sellers
- iPhone and Android app: tap Inbox from the Marketplace tab, or open the Messenger app.
- Computer: click Your account, then Your listings, or go to Marketplace’s Buying section.
Messages missing or not sending? See Marketplace messages not showing.
Before you pay or meet: our safety checklist
These are our own tips, not Meta’s steps:
- Check the seller’s profile and ratings. A brand-new profile with no activity is a warning sign. See Marketplace ratings.
- See the item before you pay. Avoid deposits, “holding fees” or delivery charges for something you haven’t seen, unless you’re paying through Facebook’s own checkout.
- Meet somewhere public and busy in daylight, and bring someone with you if you can.
- Keep the conversation on Facebook, so there’s a record if something goes wrong.
- Be wary of unusual payment requests, such as gift cards, crypto or a bank account in someone else’s name.
For the full list of warning signs and what to do if you’ve already paid, see Marketplace scams.
Purchase Protection, checkout and shipping
Facebook may offer checkout, shipping or Purchase Protection on some listings, depending on where you are. We haven’t sourced Meta’s pages on them, so we don’t describe them here. If you see these options, read Meta’s How Purchase Protection works (external site, opens in a new tab) page before you buy.
How to know it worked
- You’ve contacted the seller and can see the conversation.
Still not working? Your next steps
- Can’t open Marketplace? See Marketplace not showing.
- Search results old or far away? See Marketplace search not working.
Official help routes
SocialAppFix can’t see or change your account. For account decisions, recovery and appeals, only the platform’s own tools can help. These links go to the official sites.
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy something on Facebook Marketplace?
Meta says you send a message to the seller to arrange a sale: open the item, then tap Message to write your own, or Send to ask “Is this available?”.
Where are my messages with Marketplace sellers?
Meta says in the iPhone or Android app, tap Inbox from the Marketplace tab or open Messenger. On a computer, go to Your account > Your listings, or Marketplace’s Buying section.
Can I buy on Facebook Marketplace in Europe?
Meta says the buying feature may be unavailable for countries in Europe.
Should I pay a deposit to hold an item?
Our advice: no. Don’t pay a seller directly for anything you haven’t seen. See Marketplace scams for common deposit tricks.
Did this solve your problem?
Your answer stays in your browser — nothing is sent or stored. The “tell us” link opens your own email app.
Out of date or didn’t work? Email us — never include passwords or codes.
Sources and how we checked this guide
We base steps on the platforms’ own help pages and the phone makers’ official guides. Menu names change often and can differ by device, app version and region. Where a platform page could not be independently read, we link it so you can check the current wording yourself.
Last reviewed 30 October 2026 by the SocialAppFix editorial team against the sources above. Next scheduled review: 30 April 2027. How we write and review guides.
What changed
- 30 October 2026: First published.
SocialAppFix is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta or Facebook. We never ask for passwords, login codes or payment to fix an account.