As I noted above, not as much of a problem here in LA, but I totally believe you that it's true elsewhere. And honestly, I'm probably missing some great stuff not perusing FB and OfferUp.
But there's one simple, guiding principle that I'm always following. And that's refusing to reactivate my FB account.
Much like 25 years ago when I said to myself, "there's nothing on the internet that I need to see so badly that I'll install RealNetworks", I'll put stuff on the curb with a "free" sign before I'll reactivate my long-deactivated FB account (or buy new, depending on the direction of the transaction).
Honestly, especially for bulky stuff, I’ve had great luck leaving things at the end of my driveway with a free sign. I wouldn’t get much money for them and they’re out of my house with almost zero effort.
I was right there too but all the rental apartments are via FB marketplace now to the point I literally could not find a place without getting back on it (DC). Absolutely pain, I miss craigslist
Same here in the Roaring Fork Valley. Two months of Craigslist, apartments.com, bulletin boards, etc. Finally I posted a "Place Wanted" on some local Facebook groups and I got something pretty quick. Tons of scammers on Craigslist here.
Probably but I can't say I love more intermediaries in transactions. I went direct to many apartment complexes but if you want to find a furnished place that's not outrageous you have to go to people leaving and looking for someone to take over a lease and apartment complexes don't seem to care to facilitate that.
But there's one simple, guiding principle that I'm always following. And that's refusing to reactivate my FB account.