I've been a creator for over a decade, and in the last handful of years I've met creators of all sizes. One thing that is really common is that we tend to accumulate tech and gear for our content.

When we first start out it can be really hard to obtain the gear you need. Most people tend to state that a good microphone is the first thing you should get, then a decent webcam, and then invest in some lights (doesn't have to be fancy lights, as even streamer lights can do a ton of heavy lifting).

Not so long ago I went to NABshow where I met up with creator friends like Roger Seng, Matt Wolfe, Renee Teeley, Travis Keyes, and many more. While discussing tech with a lot of people there I realized that some of us are holding onto old tech.

Whether that was cause there was a sentimental attachment (or hoarder mindset lol), or maybe it was because the person didn't know how to get rid of the product effectively. Obviously if you have a nice action camera or maybe a gaming handheld, then you would want to sell it rather than just toss it of course.

There are some programs like this one by Insta360, that let you trade in your old products https://www.insta360.com/support/workorder/trade-in/create , which is definitely a step in the right direction.

However one major reason why I am making this post is that the act of bartering is an amazing way to move stuff around. Almost my entire setup was acquired via FB Marketplace deals or even just trades. I'll explain those later in this post.

There needs to be more trading between Creators

Especially with Tech YouTubers, as they acquire gear left and right, and often don't always know what to do with it. With each new year comes new generations of products, and then even though the last gen served you well. You are now onto the next version.

Leaving that old camera, mini pc, or microphone just laying in a drawer. Now I know some creators like having a collection, it appeals to that Pokemon center of the brain, but imagine if you had a DJI or Obsbot camera. You have it just sitting in a drawer, could you use it? Sure, but someone else could use it every day.

Maybe they have a techie uncle, I'm projecting here but bear with me, and somehow had an extra mini pc. Just not the hardware for creating content, i.e. mic + cam, but you could use that mini pc to run a home server (I rec Zima OS btw).

Meaning that even though that small creator doesn't have much to offer a bigger creator, in this particular scenario both have something the other could use.

The problem is that there isn't any precedent or place for this type of deal to happen. I asked a handful of my creator friends to trade with me at NAB, but no one was able to think about that with all of the various events going on. This is one of the few places where something like that would be viable. If the deal was made beforehand, then all you have to do is a trade off at the event.

Learn how to find great deals on FB Marketplace

You have to sort of be addicted to it, it does feel like a shopping problem, but I don't really spend money. Its like I am trying to find a needle in the haystack.

At times it feels like there is literally nothing of value on the storefront, then out of the blue a epic tier pull comes to your screen.

Not everyone is up for trading, and honestly I don't blame them. This economy sucks, and everyone needs more income. However I ask anyways, I try not to be embarrassed, and I am upfront about trading.

Some times I can tell you about going on there are:

  • MP on mobile is different than on desktop. "New listings" is only available on mobile for some reason, and on desktop there are sometimes different distance settings or menu options.
  • FB is constantly showing you things outside your city, mostly shipping, but even stuff just outside your selected range (so always double check location or set to local listings only). Very stupid you have to do that IMO.
  • When you're selling stuff it can be nice to share your profile, or make a quick scroll video of your listings, so that you can send it to potential trade partners.
  • FB is not your friend, and you have to really fight it to get what you want out of the platform (more on that next).

My Issues with FB Marketplace

First off Meta is a terrible terrible company, and they honestly just want to squeeze any bit of data or money out of you as they can. Sad, but its true. The only reason I use FB MP is that it is literally the only option really. Ebay is sort of there, but shipping can be a pain.

The settings are constantly ignored. For example I set my city to about 10miles out, which is honestly more than I'd want to drive (the roads, and accessibility, if I was in a bigger city it would be different).

However FB constantly shows me things from completely other cities outside my range, even when I click the little "x" to close that section of stuff on mobile. It just comes right back when you scroll farther, or when you open the app again.

Even on desktop it defaults to "shipping" based products, or at least "shipping + local", even when I have it set to local first. Then if you were to switch to any category, it goes back to the shipping + local, forgoing any settings you previously set on the previous page.

Messenger is a mixed bag, oftentimes marketplace messages will just disappear as an option from the messenger app or especially the website. Having to reload, or use the "inbox" via the marketplace tab on the fb app just to see the DM's.

Among other technical difficulties, that at this point I have simply gotten used to, but they shouldn't be a thing in the first place.

Trading is one of the best ways, but there's a catch

Gotta catch them all?

If I have a Charizard (4k webcam), and you have a Blastoise (Wireless mic set). We both want what the other has, then doesn't it make sense that we simply trade?

You may not have a lot of tech when you're first starting out, or if you are young too. However maybe you had a gameboy, or nowadays a 3ds, when you were growing up. Just sitting in a box in your closet, those devices appreciated in value quite a bit. If you don't have sentimental attachment to it, or maybe even if you do, then perhaps you can offer it as a trade to a collector/gamer creator who has a fancy camera you want.

At times it can be difficult to strike a balance. Even recently I had a retro gaming handheld that was worth $200 plus about $60 in accessories. I didn't know it had gone on sale by like $60. Thus my trade value was lower than I expected, however in the end I was able to trade it for a low end mini pc, low end gaming handheld (better for my use case now), and a raspberry pi 3 with a screen attachment. Three devices for the price of one. I then traded that pi 3 with my uncle, and a few other things, for a variety of stuff he had accumulated too. Including a few items I had been wanting for a long time, that were just sitting in my amazon cart.

💡
If you want to hear more about my trades that I've done, I'll list some out at the bottom of this post, and maybe I'll make a post about trade sequences later on.

My Proposal: A Trade Depot for Content Creators

Maybe its because I've been playing too much State of Decay 2, and one of the buildings you can make is a trade depot for various groups in the game area. Perhaps it is because I want to upgrade my setup, while perhaps being able to provide someone else a piece of tech they've been wanting.

Sometimes you might need to uptrade for a while, like those videos where the person starts with a penny, and then ends up with a house (but on a smaller scale).

However if you have anything of value then it can be something to offer.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
as they say.

I absolutely loathe FB marketplace, despite the fact that I go on there for things every day. As I am trying to keep an eye out for deals. Most people might tell me to F off when I ask about trading, but the 20% of the time that it works out. It works out so well, that it makes up for the other 80%. Like when I traded my Xbox Series X that I barely used, for a Lenovo Legion Go handheld. Which is a full PC that I could use for gaming, or for recording content at conferences.

This Trade Depot could be a bartering platform outright, and people could maybe put a "Buy it Now" cost too. However trading being the main endeavor, and helpful to all creators. If they are bigger creators they can often afford to buy the devices, but it is more a matter of physical space or having "too many items in their office" that sort of thing. Thus by trading it solves more than one problem, and it is a great opportunity for up and coming creators. Passing it forward.

Given that marketplaces like LetGo or Craigslist are barely even a thing anymore, and no one uses NextDoor's marketplace (or even knows about it). That leaves people forced into using the horribly optimized, and Meta controlled FB mp.

What do you think of this concept?

Before I go out and build a platform I wanted to throw this idea out there. Perhaps someone will want to help me, or maybe I'm missing a crucial detail.

Proposed value of items is one thing, and that can sometimes be a sticky situation when trading. Like my item is worth "$80" because I only got it a short while ago, but now you can buy it "new" for "$75" as Amazon has it on sale. However this is an instant obtaining of the item, that is something you need to drill home. You aren't waiting for shipping, or aren't spending full on cash. As you can trade something you aren't using too for it.

My socials are the best way to reach me @polyinnovator, so if you want to message me about this idea I'd be glad!

Trades I've Done

This section is just for those who are curious!

  • I had a 1080p TV I wasn't using, and I traded it for a Blue Yeti Mic X and Blue Yeti Mic arm (probably double the value, but the guy wasn't using any of it). He needed the TV for his kids.
  • I had an old desktop I built, still capable, but too bulky for my tastes. I traded it for a PS5 and Meta Quest 2. They were a bit dirty, but I went in cleaned the fan blades one by one on the PS5. Cleaned both items. Sold the Quest 2, and then traded the PS5 for a Steamdeck (with some modifications). Then sold the SD to my friend who really wanted it. However I was able to make videos on the game items in between for my gaming channel!
  • I randomly came across a deal where a guy was selling an elgato streamdeck, and elgato 4k camlink for $20 each. I bought them, and years later I needed a new mic. I traded the streamdeck for an elgato neo mic (cheaper in cost, but way better for me). I never got around to using that deck more than a couple times.
  • I love Xbox, it really is the best console experience (minus not having exclusive games ugh), but I always ended up playing older games or backwards compat games. Meaning I wasn't getting the full use out of the device. Eventually it just sat there for a couple months. Someone was selling a lenovo legion go, which you know they aren't too pricey on their own nowadays, but I need to save money. Thus I offered my console, he took it, and now I have a full fledge pc gaming handheld. I can use it as a portable recording studio, daily driver mini pc if I wanted, or just as a normal gaming handheld (with steam OS it makes it even better).
  • Finally, I am hoping to get my hands on some really cool listings I came across recently. The sellers haven't budged on my offers, mostly just wanting cash, but I haven't seen great listings like this for a long time:
Lowest I've seen almost any 49 inch super ultra wide monitor go for
Really nice handhelds, even has a grip, but notice too the absurdly large SD cards in them as well. The pocket 5 can use that for steam games maybe, but the classic it is more than overkill haha. But those can be used for filming too if taken out!

I'm sharing these pics, with no personal information attached, and I respect the privacy of the owners.

I doubt I'll be able to make much of a deal, maybe at least an SD card hopefully (considering the current storage market).

The monitor especially is something I could really use on a daily basis, and I've always wanted one.