Want to Sell or Buy Stuff Locally? Look Online.

For some, shopping or selling via Craigslist can be a bit daunting. But two new Facebook groups allow residents on the Main Line to interact with each other and “shop local.”

“These sites are a virtual Craigslist but on a local level,” said Carrie Kauffman, the administrator of the Thrifty Kids Main Line Virtual Yard Sale group and Main Line Yardsale Group. “I help keep things flowing smoothly and I am there to help if any problems should arise,” she told Patch. 

Kauffman took over the kids’ yard sale site about six months ago as its previous administrator was going back to work full-time. Kauffman then started the Main Line Yardsale group about four months ago.

“The kids’ site was getting very popular, and members wanted to start selling additional items that were not baby or children's items.  There was a need for an additional site so that's why I started the Yardsale group,” she said.

Kauffman is an organizer by profession, so keeping both sites well organized was key to keeping it a success, she said. Her business is Carrie's Essential Services LLC, and she lives in Bryn Mawr. 

“Both sites are growing each day because of the popularity, and members have great transactions both on the buying and selling end,” said Kauffman, who also allows vendors to post once a month to share their talents and business within the group.

“I think people are very comfortable with it,” she said of using the Facebook groups. “I personally have made a lot of great friends from selling these items. I’ve gone out to coffee with some of the moms.”

Kauffman said she gets about 25 requests to join the groups every day.

“With today’s economy families are looking for bargains in those everyday items. These sites not only help them save money but it also brings a community together,” she said.