Facebook Marketplace: How to Rate a Seller

To rate a seller on Facebook Marketplace, go to your inbox, open the conversation with that seller, tap the seller’s name at the top, and select “Rate Seller.” You’ll then choose a star rating (1 to 5) and can optionally leave a comment that the seller will see.

Background: Why Ratings Matter on Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a peer-to-peer platform where individual sellers list items for local pickup or shipping. Unlike eBay or Amazon, there’s no central authority that vets sellers. The rating system is the primary trust signal buyers use to decide whether to meet a stranger for a $500 couch or send money for a shipped item.

Ratings are tied to a seller’s Facebook profile, not a separate storefront. This means a seller’s score is visible next to their name in listings and in chat. A 4.9-star average with 50 ratings will make a buyer far more comfortable than a 3.2 with 4 ratings. The system is deliberately simple: one overall star score plus optional text comments. There are no subcategories like “shipping speed” or “item accuracy” that you see on other platforms.

How the Rating Process Works (Step by Step)

You can only rate a seller after you’ve had an active conversation about a specific listing. The option appears in the chat thread, not on the listing itself. Here’s the exact path on both mobile and desktop:

Open the Facebook app or website and go to your Inbox (the Messenger icon).
Find the conversation with the seller you want to rate. It will be under the “Marketplace” filter if you have many chats.
Tap or click the seller’s name at the very top of the chat window. This opens their profile view.
Look for the “Rate Seller” button. On mobile it’s usually below their name; on desktop it’s in the left sidebar of the chat.
Select 1 to 5 stars. A comment box appears – it’s optional but recommended.
Tap Submit. Your rating is posted immediately.

You can also rate from the listing itself if you still have it open: scroll down to “Seller Information” and click the star icon. However, the chat method is more reliable because it works even after the listing is sold or deleted.

When Should You Rate a Seller?

Facebook doesn’t send a reminder to rate after a transaction, so it’s easy to forget. The best time is right after you’ve completed the exchange – when the item is in your hands and you’ve verified it works. Waiting a day or two is fine, but don’t delay a week; you’ll lose the context.

You should rate in these situations:

Positive experience: Item as described, seller on time, easy communication. A 5-star rating with a short note (“Great condition, quick meetup”) helps that seller build trust.
Neutral experience: Item was fine but the seller was late, or the price was slightly different than listed. A 3 or 4-star rating with a factual comment is fair.
Negative experience: Item was broken, not as described, or the seller was rude or scammed you. A 1 or 2-star rating warns other buyers. Keep the comment objective: “Listed as new but had a cracked screen.”

If you never actually met or completed a purchase, you should not rate. The system is for completed transactions, not for “nice chat.”

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Several issues can prevent you from rating a seller:

No “Rate Seller” button: This usually means the conversation is too old, or you’ve already rated that seller. Facebook limits one rating per seller per listing. If you bought two items from the same person in separate chats, you can rate each transaction.
Button is grayed out: This happens if the seller has blocked you, or if Facebook’s automated systems flagged the conversation. There’s no manual override.
You made a mistake: Facebook does not allow you to edit or delete a rating once submitted. You can, however, send the seller a private message to clarify any misunderstanding.
Seller asks you to change a rating: You cannot. Politely explain that Facebook doesn’t allow edits, and offer to update your comment in a new message (though that won’t change the public score).

If you’re trying to rate and the app keeps crashing, try updating Facebook to the latest version or using a desktop browser instead.

How to Choose a Reliable Seller (Before You Rate)

Your rating is only useful if you’ve actually had a good or bad experience. But you should also use the rating system to protect yourself before you buy. When viewing a listing, check the seller’s profile for:

Rating score and number of ratings: A seller with 4.5 stars from 20 ratings is more trustworthy than 5 stars from 2 ratings (which could be friends).
Read the comments: Look for repeated complaints about item condition, no-shows, or shipping delays.
Date joined Facebook: A very new account with no profile picture and a high-priced item is a red flag, regardless of rating.
Response rate: Facebook shows “Typically replies within an hour” – a fast responder is usually more committed.

Remember that some sellers are just individuals cleaning out their garage. They may have only one or two ratings, but that doesn’t mean they’re dishonest. Use your judgment – if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

Costs and Safety Considerations

Rating a seller is completely free and anonymous in the sense that your name is attached, but the seller sees your rating and comment. There is no cost to you, and no limit on how many sellers you can rate.

Safety-wise, never rate a seller before you actually receive the item. Scammers sometimes ask for a “good rating” before they ship, promising to send the item later. Do not comply. Only rate after you have the item in hand and have verified it matches the description. For expensive items, meet in a public place (many police stations have designated exchange zones), and for shipped items, use Facebook’s payment system rather than cash apps like Venmo or Zelle, which offer no buyer protection.

Also be aware that your rating is public. If you leave a harsh comment, the seller can see it and may respond. Keep your feedback factual and avoid personal attacks – Facebook can remove ratings that violate its community standards.

Alternatives to Rating

If you cannot rate a seller for technical reasons, or if you want to give feedback outside the star system, you have other options:

Report the seller: If you were scammed or the item was dangerous, go to the listing or chat, tap the three dots, and select “Report.” This triggers Facebook’s review team.
Block the seller: If you want to prevent future contact, block them from their profile. This doesn’t affect their rating but protects you.
Leave a comment on the listing (if still active): Some sellers allow public comments on their listings. You can ask a question or warn others, but this is less permanent than a rating.
Contact Facebook support: For serious issues like fraud, use the “Get Help” section in the Marketplace help center.

These alternatives don’t replace a rating, but they give you ways to act when the rating button fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rate a seller if we didn’t complete the transaction?

No. Facebook only allows ratings after a conversation about a specific listing, and the system expects that a transaction occurred. If you just asked a question and never bought anything, the “Rate Seller” button will not appear. If it does appear, it’s best to leave no rating rather than rate based on a chat.

How do I see my own rating as a seller?

Go to your Facebook profile, tap “More” and then “Marketplace.” Under “Your Account” you’ll see “Seller Rating.” You can see your average score and the comments buyers have left. This is also where you can see if a buyer has rated you.

Can a seller rate me as a buyer?

No. Facebook Marketplace only has a one-way rating system: buyers rate sellers. There is no public buyer rating. The seller can see your profile and may privately block you, but they cannot leave a star rating on your profile.

What if the seller never shows up for the meetup?

You can still rate them. The conversation exists, and you can leave a 1-star rating with a comment like “Never showed up at the agreed time.” This is valuable feedback for other buyers. If they repeatedly do this, also report them to Facebook.

Does the rating disappear if the seller deletes their account?

Yes. If a seller deactivates their Facebook account, their Marketplace ratings disappear along with their profile. You cannot retrieve them. This is why it’s important to rate soon after a transaction, before any account changes.

Can I rate a seller for a shipped item that arrived damaged?

Yes, but first contact the seller to try to resolve it. If they refuse a refund, then rate them honestly: “Item arrived damaged, seller refused to help.” Include photos in the chat as evidence. Your rating will reflect the overall experience, including post-purchase support.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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