I still remember the first time I sold a beat-up 2004 Honda Civic on Facebook Marketplace. I listed it for $2,500 because that’s what I wanted for it, not necessarily what it was worth. Within an hour, my inbox was flooded with messages, but not the kind I wanted. "Will you take $1,000?" "Cash today, $800." I was insulted. I ignored them all. The car sat for three weeks, gathering dust and bird droppings. Finally, a friend asked me, "Why didn't you just list it as $3,000 OBO?" I had no idea that three little letters could completely change the psychology of a sale. I changed the listing, accepted an offer of $2,400 the next day, and drove away with cash in hand.
That experience taught me that what does obo mean on facebook marketplace isn't just a definition; it is a strategy. It is the difference between a listing that rots and a listing that converts. Whether you are clearing out a garage or flipping vintage electronics, understanding the nuances of "Or Best Offer" is critical to your survival in the digital classifieds.
What Does OBO Mean on Facebook Marketplace? (The Definition)
At its core, what does obo mean on facebook marketplace is simple shorthand for "I want this gone." It signals that the price listed is a starting point, not a finish line. When a buyer sees "$100 OBO," they read it as "The seller wants $100,but will probably take $80."
Here’s where it gets interesting... Using OBO changes the power dynamic. If you list a firm price, you are the authority.If you list OBO, you are inviting a conversation. This can be good or bad depending on what you are selling. For commodity items like used iPhones, OBO is standard. For unique items like handmade pottery, OBO can devalue the work.
Opinion Statement: I honestly believe that if you are selling used furniture or cars, you must use OBO. The culture of Facebook Marketplace is built on the "garage sale" mentality. People want to feel like they won a deal. If you deny them that feeling, they will buy from someone else.
The OBO Price Meaning: Decoding Buyer Psychology
Understanding the obo price meaning requires you to think like a shark. Buyers on Marketplace smell blood in the water when they see OBO. They assume you are desperate, moving, or just tired of looking at the item.
The "Anchor Price" Strategy: Because buyers assume OBO means "lower," you have to price higher.
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Without OBO: You want $50. You list for $50. Buyer offers $40. You say no. No sale.
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With OBO: You want $50. You list for $65 OBO. Buyer offers $50. You say yes. Sale.
Honest Failure: In 2023, I listed a perfectly good espresso machine for "$40 OBO." I just wanted it gone. I got 20 messages offering me $10 or $15. I had anchored the price too low. By adding OBO to an already low price, I signaled that the item was trash.Lesson: Never use OBO on an item priced under $20. It attracts the worst kind of buyers who want to haggle over pennies.
When to Use OBO (And When to Avoid It)
Knowing what does obo mean when selling is half the battle; knowing when to use it is the war. I use a simple framework to decide.
Use OBO When:
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The item is bulky: Couches, treadmills, old tires. You are paying a "convenience fee" to the buyer to haul it away.
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The value is subjective: Vintage clothing, collectibles without a clear market rate.
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You are in a rush: Moving day is tomorrow.
Avoid OBO When:
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High Demand: PS5 consoles, trending sneakers.
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Fixed Value: Gift cards, new-in-box tools.
Using Closo Demand Signals: I don't guess about demand anymore. I use Closo Demand Signals to check the temperature of the market before I price.How Closo helps me predict demand across categories is by showing search volume trends.
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The Scenario: I had a stack of vintage "NASCAR Jackets."
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The Signal: Closo showed search volume was up 200% for that specific term.
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The Action: I listed them at a high fixed price, no OBO.
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The Result: They sold at full ask because the demand was real. If I had put OBO, I would have left money on the table.
The Dangers of OBO: Lowballers and Time Wasters
The biggest downside of asking what does obo on facebook marketplace mean is finding out it means "Open invitation to lowballers." You will get messages that make you question humanity. "Will you take a trade? I have a ferret." (Real message I received).
My "Counter-Offer" Script: When someone offers $50 on a $100 OBO listing, don't get mad. Use the "middle ground" technique.
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Buyer: "$50 cash right now."
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Me: "I can't do $50, but I can do $80 if you can pick it up today." This filters out the time wasters. If they are serious, they will meet you at $75. If they are trolls, they will ghost.
Parenthetical Aside: (I once spent three days negotiating the price of a lawnmower. We went back and forth over $5.Finally, I agreed. The guy showed up, realized he didn't have a truck to put it in, and left. I lost three days and the sale.Sometimes, taking the first decent offer is worth it just to save your sanity.)
Leveraging Closo 100% FREE Crosslister for Stale OBO Listings
Sometimes, you drop the price, you add OBO, and the item still sits. This means the Facebook audience is tapped out. It’s time to move. I use the Closo 100% FREE Crosslister to take those stale listings and blast them to fresh eyes on other platforms.
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The Workflow: My item has been on Facebook for 2 weeks with no bites, even with OBO.
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The Action: I use Closo to copy the listing to eBay and Mercari.
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The Strategy: On eBay, I change "OBO" to "Best Offer" or start an auction at my lowest acceptable price.
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The Result: Often, the item sells on eBay in 48 hours because the audience is different. Facebook is for locals; eBay is for the world.
I use Closo to automate my "Plan B" strategy – saves me about 3 hours weekly of re-typing listings for items that wouldn't sell locally.
OBO Facebook Marketplace Etiquette for Buyers
If you are on the buying side, what does obo mean for your strategy? It means you should negotiate, but be respectful.Sending a message that just says "Lowest?" is rude.
How to Make a Winning Offer:
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Be specific: "Would you accept $80?"
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Add value: "I can pick it up in the next hour."
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Be polite: Sellers are people. We prefer selling to nice people, even if their offer is slightly lower.
Anecdote: I was selling a guitar amp for $200 OBO. Guy A offered $180 but was demanding and rude. Guy B offered $170 but said, "I've been looking for this model for my son's birthday, I can come get it anytime." I sold it to Guy B. The "hassle factor" is a real currency on Marketplace.
Common Question I See...
Is OBO legally binding?
Common question I see... Absolutely not. This isn't a contract. Until cash changes hands or the "Ship" button is clicked,nothing is final. If you agree to an OBO price in the chat, and then someone else shows up with full price cash before the first person arrives, you can sell it to the second person. It might be morally grey, but it is Marketplace standard practice."First with cash wins."
How low is too low for an offer?
People always ask me... The general rule of etiquette is 20-30%. If an item is listed for $100 OBO, offering $75 is fair game. Offering $40 is offensive. However, if the item has been listed for over a month, all rules go out the window. Offer whatever you want; they might just be desperate to get rid of it.
Pricing Tools vs. Guessing
When setting your price, don't just guess. For cars, use Kelley Blue Book. For electronics, check eBay Sold Listings(filter by "Sold").What does obo mean if your starting price is wrong? Nothing. If you list a 2010 TV for $500 OBO,nobody will offer because you are delusional. If you list it for $50 OBO, you will get offers.
Opinion Statement: I see sellers list used IKEA furniture for 90% of the retail price with "OBO." It drives me crazy.Once you assemble it and use it, it loses 50% of its value instantly. Be realistic, or keep it.
Conclusion
So, what does obo mean on facebook marketplace? It means opportunity. It is a tool to create velocity in your sales. It invites engagement, signals flexibility, and helps you clear out "death piles" of inventory. But it requires a thick skin and a clear strategy. Don't let the lowballers wear you down. Anchor your price high, negotiate fair, and if the local market dries up, use the crosslister to find a new audience.
My honest assessment is that you should go to your oldest listing right now—the one that hasn't sold in a month—and add "OBO" to the title and raise the price by $10. See if it sparks a conversation.
If you are ready to stop haggling in parking lots and start selling professionally, use the Closo Seller Hub to upgrade your workflow.
For more on where to sell items when Facebook fails you, read our Pages Similar to eBay Guide
And if you want to know which items will be in high demand (so you don't need OBO), check out Trending Products Forecast 2026
