Funding a Safari with Facebook Marketplace

Rez Exelon said:
I sell a ton of stuff on Marketplace…
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I developed a pretty good system that works for me. I price things well below even marketplace value so they will sell fast. I definitely could’ve squeezed more money out of this, but I like the fact that this is a ”win, win, win situation” for myself, the buyer, and Earth by keeping stuff out of the dump.

I have a blurb that tells people exactly what methods of payment, where to pickup, etc., and I only offer porch pickup unless they’re in my neighborhood. I allow people to pay via apps to guarantee the items so they aren’t trying to make me wait 3 days for when they are free. Otherwise, it’s FCFS with cash.

But the supply has been continuous, hence my need for a fast turnover rate.
 
csmcclain said:
I developed a pretty good system that works for me. I price things well below even marketplace value so they will sell fast. I definitely could’ve squeezed more money out of this, but I like the fact that this is a ”win, win, win situation” for myself, the buyer, and Earth by keeping stuff out of the dump.

I have a blurb that tells people exactly what methods of payment, where to pickup, etc., and I only offer porch pickup unless they’re in my neighborhood. I allow people to pay via apps to guarantee the items so they aren’t trying to make me wait 3 days for when they are free. Otherwise, it’s FCFS with cash.

But the supply has been continuous, hence my need for a fast turnover rate.
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My drip is that I've been know to flip stuff from pallet stores and estate sales... Depending on the week I can get lots or little stuff. But one reason I got into it is so I could use it as a series of lessons for my daughter about doing business with integrity.

Like, I get stuff super cheap so (like you) I want to be the lowest price. I got a deal, they get a deal, we both won. I'll never sell anything I don't know works, and I'll test to make sure. I've accepted returns where I am confident people were lying but barring an investigation I can't prove is so the lesson is that the failure of integrity is on them, not me.

It's also math lessons as I teach how to price, calculate value, research what things are worth etc etc. There are ample places to do life and business lessons and I get extra bucks to invest in boo boos 529 and other things.
 
Evidently, my very distinct truck (older F150 with white toolboxes down the side) has hit a level of recognition in our neighborhood. Some lady saw me driving around the other day and flagged me down to ask me if I wanted her refrigerator
 
Also, as an update for those who want to know where we are at:
Screenshot 2026-03-04 at 11.23.51 AM.png
:
 
Results have been strong recently, even with me giving away a few extra items for free. Not saying its a guarantee yet, but I'm feeling pretty good.
Screenshot 2026-03-18 at 11.41.01 AM.png
 
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Had a crazy one happen yesterday.

Picked up a bucket of baseballs and found one ball signed by what looked to be an entire team just mixed in with the normal batting practice balls. Found a signature of a player that I could clearly read, and found out that it was the entire 2007 Southern Miss roster, including Brian Dozier, an MLB All-Star and Golden Glove winner.

Unfortunately, that ball had been used for batting practice and was left in that bucket for quite some time, and the signature was basically gone. Fortunately, a ball sign by him is only worth like $10, so no big loss.
 
csmcclain said:
Results have been strong recently, even with me giving away a few extra items for free. Not saying its a guarantee yet, but I'm feeling pretty good.View attachment 753481
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Brilliant ! What an innovative way of funding your trip. Good luck.
 
Hit the jackpot the other day!

Some lady was throwing away something she referred to as a “black case thingy.” It was an SKB roller case big enough to fit 4 long guns…

Anyways, we’re over $9600!
 
Good gawd! I wanna move to that neighborhood! Best thing I have found here left on the curb was a big stainless BBQ. Idiots that owned it never put it under cover. Grates and burners were rusted to nothing. I also had to replace the tank regulator and one burner control. Good as new now but the parts set me back well over a hundred bucks. These BBQs sell new for $300-$400 so guess I did okay, but on the used market they don't bring much. Doubt I could sell it for what I've got in it. That's okay. I bought a good cover and it should last me the rest of my life. I think this is the fourth BBQ scrounged from the curb. Seem to be a popular item to use up and throw away. The others were gypo models designed for short lifespans.

My hat's off to anyone who can hustle enough to sell the curb discarded/yard sale detritus needed to cover the cost of a Cape buffalo. You should invest in a plaid suit and try your hand at selling used cars. You'd be a Forbes 500 man in a year.
 
Ontario Hunter said:
Good gawd! I wanna move to that neighborhood!
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Ontario Hunter said:
My hat's off to anyone who can hustle enough to sell the curb discarded/yard sale detritus needed to cover the cost of a Cape buffalo. You should invest in a plaid suit and try your hand at selling used cars. You'd be a Forbes 500 man in a year.
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It’s funny because this is honestly the most middle class neighborhood that could possibly be found. That’s really the part that blows my mind.

Fortunately, my day job doesn’t require the hustle of selling cars, but it’s always a back up. I never truly expected to pull a buffalo hunt out of this. The best part is the amount of stuff I’ve actually been able to give away to people or keep for myself. Just this week, I was able to donate something I was selling for $200 to a local charity, and I’ve been able to help out other family members and friends with all sorts of stuff.
 
BonUm16 said:
Where is this magical neighborhood where high dollar goods are tossed to the curb??

I live in the nexus of three trailer parks and a dirt-track speedway. There’s a greater chance of finding a bag of crack and a corpse during a jog around the block than a $600 stroller.

Great idea, hope you get enough for that buffalo.
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A bag of crack will move him along quickly towards his goal... Or to jail.. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?
 
csmcclain said:
I figured this would be a fun one…

So I’m going on my third hunt in Africa in September 2026 with my parents along with several extended family members. I decided to use this opportunity to challenge myself in a new way.

I live in a neighborhood where, for some unknown reason, people throw away amazingly good things. Furniture, smokers, vacuum, cleaners… you name it, and they will throw it away, often brand new. I do a lot of western big game hunting in America, so I stay in shape by running the neighborhood, often finding these items and sprinting home to get a truck so that I can pick them up. I have decided to collect these items and sell them to pay for my trophy fees.

We won the package in a raffle (no, I’m not interested in the debates on raffle safaris; I understand that they are a crapshoot), and it came with a nyala, a bushbuck, and an impala. The rules of self-imposed challenge are that the trophy fees fee for extra animals must come from selling items on Facebook Marketplace, specifically items that I did not pay anything for. So, if I do amazing and make $9k, a buffalo is in my future; if I flop with only a $1500, I’ll be lucky to take home an extra wildebeest.

I started collecting items this weekend (I already had a few sitting around that we were not using), and I’m already up to $310. Other items I have already listed include a working treadmill, a Ridgid propane heater, a nightstand, a wakeboard, and much more! Unfortunately, I am having to fight my wife who does not want to sell the like new Bob stroller I found today, but I will let her keep that one

I figured this would be a fun place to track the progress every month or so, then give a full update after the hunt. Also, I think it proves 1.) that Americans throw away far too much stuff, and 2.) that anyone can afford a safari with a little financial planning.

Happy hunting, all!
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csmcclain said:
Also, as an update for those who want to know where we are at:View attachment 750568:
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I'm late to this thread since I just now found it but this is simply amazing! Congratulations.
 
Hey - OK now called it - you have inspired me - Jeasus I am going to be a pain in the ass around here - man with a fecking plan - did you know the common rat choses not to live several places where you will find Irish people ...... I have warned you !
 
csmcclain said:
Anyways, we’re over $9600!
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Well done. I was telling someone just last week about your efforts and wondered how it was progressing.
 
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cgdemakis
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I have not posted any items for sale on this forum and will not every put anything for sale. My account was hacked and I've worked with the admin to get things shut down.
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Still possible to order one of these?
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I might be able to help you out depending on how many you need. I could probably spare 50-75 .285g A-Frames. They are factory pulls that look like new. Let me know if you are still looking,
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