These sites have been becoming more and more popular as places to buy needlepoint, especially canvases. They are all places where you can find obscure canvas and, often, fantastic bargains.
That’s the good part. Each one, however, behaves differently. To be able to buy on these forums wisely, it’s good to know how they work and how to use them. Today we’ll look at my tips on using them Facebook. Tomorrow we’ll look at Etsy and we’ll look at eBay Friday.
This company has been making lots of moves to become a platform for buying from pushing ads and Facebook stores, to making it much easier for people to post things to sell. Many people have reservations about using Facebook. If you do, I would stay away from this as a place to buy things.
Yes, you do have to be a member to buy on any of these sites, but Facebook is a more comprehensive set of functions, not limited to buying and selling. They do interesting things with copyright and many folks don’t like the contentious atmosphere that surrounds much discourse here. If that describes you and you still want to buy here, set up your profile, make your privacy settings as strong ass possible and use Facebook only for buying and selling.
You have to be a member of Facebook to see posts and ads on the site, but you do not have to be a member of a group to buy from a Facebook store. These stores, in my experience, have ads that show up in your regular stream (the middle column on your home page). The add will talk about a product and there will be a button to buy in the lower right of the ad. Click this and you’ll go to the store. I have not yet seen a needlepoint store this way, but they will be coming.
All buying and selling of needlepoint takes place either in groups or in Facebook stores. You must be a member of the group in order to buy, sell, or see what’s available in it. To find a group, use the search box in the upper left. Once you are on the group’s home page, near the right side of the profile picture you will see an invitation to join. Click it. Once approved by the admins of the group, you will be able to see, buy, and sell.
Most of these groups have rules about posting items to sell and on buying. They are always”sticky” Posts, posts that stay at the top of the group’s home page. Read them and follow them.Failure to do so, even inadvertantly, van get you kicked out of the group.
Both posts and photos appear in chronological order. For buying I go to the Photos” link on the left sidebar and click it. The photos open up. If I see one of interest I click on it to learn more. If I want it I respond as requested in the group’s guidelines. Transactions re usually settled with provate messages or PMs.
Some Facebook groups to check out include: Good Buy Needlepoint, Needlepoint Nation Stash Exchange, Needlepoint Swap Meet, and Selling Needlepoint.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
I regularly buy from Needlepoint Nation Stash Exchange and have only had extremely positive success. Good quality and excellent shipping along with some new FB friends!