Facebook Puts eBay, Craigslist, in its crosshairs
Facebook is taking on eBay and Craigslist. This week, a new icon showed up on the bottom of the mobile Facebook app, called Facebook Marketplace. In its ever-increasing bid to become more indispensable, Facebook's new strategy is to go after both eBay and Craigslist customers.
It's hard to say if the strategy will work, but many people have a distrust of Craigslist because of the scams and sketchy offers that can flood the classified ad site. Many who use eBay, too, have seen items shipped broken, late, or not at all. With Facebook, you connect directly to the seller, can see their picture and profile, and can interact directly with them, adding a layer of trust other sites can't promise.
Locally, you can buy everything from a delivered plate of Carnitas ($10) or a Subaru Outback ($2,200). Already, guns and illicit drugs ($10 for a gram of Tutti Fruitti marijuana, for example) are for sale locally, despite Facebook saying it would not allow guns or drugs to be sold.
Regardless, the new shopping site will offer those who like to browse online a new avenue, with an added layer of trust, that other sites can't promise.
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