Why are Facebook marketplace listings so mispriced so often? I’ve been thinking about this as I look to buy a large format camera to experiment with the wet plate process. Large format cameras are regularly listed at the same or more expensive than from reputable camera dealers.

Low or correctly priced items will sell faster and leave the market, meaning overpriced items stay on the market longer, making it more likely to see them. But what causes people to post overpriced items? Is it the hope that people will buy it even though it’s too high? Do they even know it’s too high? Do they list it at the same price as camera dealers, not understanding the inspection + guarantee that camera dealers provide?

Overpriced cameras might be an opportunity for me to learn how to negotiate without lowballing too hard and annoying the seller.