How to Make Marketplace Buyers Actually Commit to Showing Up

A buyer messages you: "I'll take it! Can we meet Saturday at 2pm?"

You reply: "Perfect, see you then!"

Saturday 2pm: You're there. They're not.

The problem isn't that buyers don't say yes—it's that "yes" means nothing.

Words are free. Time is not. If you want buyers to actually show up, you need to create real commitment, not just verbal agreement.

Here's how to make marketplace buyers follow through.

The Psychology of Commitment

Psychologists have studied commitment for decades. The findings are clear: people follow through when there's a tangible cost to backing out. (To understand the data behind why buyers ghost in the first place, see why buyers don't show up on Facebook Marketplace).

Why Verbal Agreements Fail

When someone says "I'll be there Saturday," their brain files it under "vague future intention."

What happens between Tuesday and Saturday:

• 4 days pass
• They see other listings
• Life gets busy
• The purchase feels less urgent
• Saturday arrives and they've forgotten entirely

No psychological weight keeps them accountable.

The Commitment Escalator

Research shows commitment increases with each step up this ladder:

1. Verbal interest — "Looks cool" (zero commitment)
2. Verbal agreement — "I'll take it" (1% commitment)
3. Scheduled time — "Saturday at 2pm" (10% commitment)
4. Phone verification — Real number shared (35% commitment)
5. Written confirmation — "Yes, confirmed for Sat 2pm" (40% commitment)
6. Financial deposit — Money paid upfront (95% commitment)

Most sellers stop at step 3. Then they wonder why buyers ghost.

If you want buyers to show up, climb the whole ladder.

Strategy 1: Make Them Choose a Specific Time

Instead of: "When works for you?"

Try: "I have slots available at 10:30am, 1:15pm, or 4:45pm on Saturday. Which works best?"

Why This Works

Specific times create mental anchors. When someone chooses "1:15pm," they've made a micro-decision. Their brain now associates that time with your transaction.

Vague "sometime Saturday" → Feels optional, low priority Specific "1:15pm Saturday" → Feels like an appointment, higher priority

The Implementation

Set your availability windows and stick to them:

• Weekdays: 5:30pm - 7:00pm (30-min slots)
• Saturdays: 10am - 2pm (15-min slots)
• Sundays: Not available

"I do pickups Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:30-7pm, or Saturdays 10am-2pm. Which day and time work for you?"

Buyers who won't commit to specific times are waving red flags.

Strategy 2: Require Phone Verification

The rule: No phone number = No confirmed pickup.

Why This Works

Facebook Marketplace allows anonymous messaging. Anonymity enables bad behavior.

When buyers share their real phone number:

• They've revealed their identity
• They can't hide behind a fake account
• They know you can contact them directly
• Psychological accountability increases

The Script

Buyer: "I'll take it!"

You: "Great! Text me at [your number] to confirm the pickup time and I'll send you the meetup address."

What happens:

• Serious buyers text within minutes
• Flakers either ghost now (saving you time) or reluctantly text
• You now have a real phone number for reminders

Pro tip: Save the number with the buyer's name and item. If they ghost, you have a record.

Strategy 3: Send Strategic Reminders

The problem: Buyers forget.

The solution: Remind them multiple times, through the right channel.

The Reminder Schedule

1. 24 hours before: "Hi [name], confirming pickup tomorrow at [time] for the [item]. Reply YES to confirm."
2. 2 hours before: "Reminder: Pickup today at [time] at [location]. See you soon!"
3. 30 minutes before: "Heading to [location] now for our [time] pickup. See you in 30 min!"

Why SMS, Not Messenger

Facebook messages get buried under notifications. Text messages don't.

• Messenger open rate: ~20%
• SMS open rate: ~98%
• SMS read within 3 minutes: 90%

If you want buyers to see your reminders, text them.

Automate or Die

Sending manual reminders for every appointment is exhausting. ShowdUp handles this automatically—buyers get reminded via SMS at 24h, 2h, and 30min without you lifting a finger.

Strategy 4: Collect Non-Refundable Deposits

This is the nuclear option—and the most effective.

How Deposits Work

1. Buyer agrees to purchase
2. You require 10-20% deposit to confirm
3. Deposit is non-refundable
4. Deposit applies toward purchase price
5. At pickup, buyer pays the balance

Example:

• Item: $400 bicycle
• Deposit: $80 (20%)
• At pickup: Buyer pays $320 cash
• Total paid: $400 (no extra cost)

If buyer no-shows: You keep the $80 as compensation for your wasted time.

Why Deposits Are So Effective

Before deposit:

• Buyer has zero skin in the game
• No-show costs them nothing
• Your time is worthless to them

After deposit:

• Buyer has money on the line
• No-show costs them $80
• They prioritize showing up

The data: Deposits reduce no-shows by 82%.

Handling Deposit Objections

"Why do I need to pay a deposit?"

"To hold the item and confirm your time slot. It's applied to the purchase price—you're not paying extra. The deposit just shows you're committed to picking it up."

"That sounds like a scam."

"I understand your concern. The deposit goes through PayPal for your protection. I'm a verified seller with [X positive reviews]. The deposit is standard for confirmed appointments."

"I'll just buy from someone else."

"No problem! Best of luck finding what you need."

(Translation: Good riddance to a probable flaker.)

When to Require Deposits

Always require for:

• Items over $200
• Furniture (notorious for no-shows)
• Anything you're holding longer than 24 hours
• Buyers asking you to drive to them

Optional for:

• Items under $50
• Immediate same-day pickups
• Repeat buyers you trust

How to Collect Deposits Easily

Option 1: PayPal

• Create a PayPal.me link
• Send to buyer: "Deposit link: paypal.me/yourname/80"
• Wait for payment confirmation

Option 2: ShowdUp (Automated)

• Add deposit requirement to booking link
• Buyer books time slot
• Deposit collected automatically via PayPal
• You get notified when confirmed

ShowdUp is easier and more professional.

Strategy 5: Use Social Proof and Scarcity

Buyers commit more when they fear losing out.

The Scarcity Script

Instead of: "Let me know when you want to pick it up."

Try: "I have three other people interested. First person to send a deposit gets it."

What happens: Buyer's FOMO (fear of missing out) kicks in. They act faster.

The Social Proof Script

Add to your listing or messages:

"I've completed 47+ successful Marketplace transactions with verified buyers. I run a professional operation and expect the same from buyers."

What this communicates:

• You're experienced and trustworthy
• You don't tolerate flakers
• Serious buyers only

Strategy 6: Set Consequences for No-Shows

The policy:

"Pickups must happen during confirmed time slot. If you're more than 10 minutes late without notice, the slot goes to the next buyer."

Why This Works

Clear boundaries create respect. When buyers know you'll move on, they show up on time.

The One Reschedule Rule

"You can reschedule once with 24-hour notice. After that, I move to the next buyer."

What this prevents:

• Serial reschedulers who never commit
• "Something came up" every single time
• Your item sitting in limbo for weeks

Strategy 7: Keep a Backup Buyer Ready

The system:

When you have multiple interested buyers:

1. Confirm buyer #1 with deposit
2. Tell buyer #2: "Someone has first dibs. If they don't show by [time], it's yours at the same price."
3. Buyer #2 stays warm and engaged
4. If #1 ghosts, you immediately text #2

Result: You never lose the sale to a single flaker.

Strategy 8: Filter Red Flags Early

Some buyers signal flakiness before you even schedule:

Red Flags to Watch For

• "Is this available?" with no follow-up questions
• Won't commit to a specific time
• Asks to hold it indefinitely with no deposit
• Wants free delivery
• Negotiates endlessly without booking
• Messages at 2am with "I need this ASAP"
• Poor grammar and vague responses

Your response: Polite but firm. "Great! Here's my booking link with available times: [link]. Let me know when you've booked a slot."

If they won't book, move on.

What Serious Buyers Look Like

They:

• Ask specific questions about the item
• Commit to a time within the first 2-3 messages
• Share their phone number without hesitation
• Pay deposits immediately when required
• Respond to confirmation messages
• Show up on time

They don't:

• Haggle endlessly
• Ask to hold items for weeks
• Ghost for days then reappear
• Make excuses before even scheduling
• Push back on reasonable requests

Trust your gut. Experienced sellers can smell flakers.

The Complete Commitment System

Combine all strategies for maximum effectiveness:

Your New Process

1. Buyer messages interest
2. You send booking link: "Great! Schedule here: [ShowdUp link]"
3. Buyer books specific time slot
4. Buyer verifies phone number (required)
5. Buyer pays deposit (for items over $150)
6. Automated SMS reminders sent at 24h, 2h, 30min
7. You arrive at scheduled time
8. Buyer is already there (because they're committed)
9. 5-minute transaction, done

No back-and-forth. No waiting. No ghosting.

Real Results from Sellers Using This System

"I used to get ghosted constantly. After I started requiring deposits, my no-show rate dropped from 72% to 9%. I'll never go back to the old way." — Rachel M., OfferUp Seller

Want to see this system in action? Read about one seller's journey from 47 no-shows to complete control.

"The phone verification alone filtered out so many flakers. Serious buyers don't care. Time-wasters disappear." — Kevin L., Facebook Marketplace Power Seller

"ShowdUp's automated reminders are a game-changer. I don't lift a finger and buyers actually show up now." — Tina S., Craigslist Furniture Seller

Your Action Plan

This week:

1. Create specific availability windows (no more "whenever")
2. Require phone numbers for all confirmed pickups
3. Start sending reminder texts 24h before appointments

This month:

1. Implement deposits for all items over $200
2. Set up ShowdUp for automated scheduling and reminders
3. Track your before/after no-show rate

This quarter:

1. Lower deposit threshold to $100+ items
2. Require deposits for all furniture
3. Enjoy 80%+ reduction in no-shows

The Bottom Line

Buyers ghost when there's no cost to ghosting.

Verbal agreements create zero commitment. Deposits create accountability.

If you want marketplace buyers to actually show up:

• Make them choose specific times
• Require verified phone numbers
• Send multiple reminders via SMS
• Collect non-refundable deposits
• Set clear policies and consequences

When buyers have skin in the game, they follow through.

Start your free 15-day trial and turn "I'll be there" into buyers who actually show up.