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Why can’t you sell wheelchairs on Facebook Marketplace?
This is a great question and one that perplexed many, including myself, when I tried to sell the wheelchair my mother used.
When my ad was rejected, I decided to find out why. I didn’t understand how a wheelchair could be considered dangerous or offensive.
Here is what I found out, so let’s take a look.
READ MORE: How Much Do Wheelchairs Cost?
Table of Contents
Why Doesn’t Facebook Allow You To Sell Wheelchairs?
Facebook is rejecting wheelchairs from its marketplace mainly because it violates its terms and conditions.
Specifically, their rules say that nothing deemed a medical or healthcare device is allowed. That’s your main answer to the question, ‘Why can’t you sell wheelchairs on Facebook Marketplace?’
This, unfortunately, doesn’t just apply to wheelchairs but it is also related to other mobility devices, such as scooters and walkers.
While a wheelchair falls under the medical equipment category, I agree with many others that it is quite an extreme take on things.
Some people even feel that this Facebook rule discriminates against disabled people, making it hard for them to find quality mobility equipment at more affordable prices than new ones.
According to The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – “The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The law’s purpose is to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.” [1]
I’ll leave it up to you if you think this FB marketplace rule is discriminatory.
I don’t think that is the whole story, however.
Many types of medical equipment should not be sold in online marketplaces for obvious health and safety concerns. Unfortunately, wheelchair equipment and other types of disability products do fall under healthcare categories.
This brings me to what I think is one of the main reasons many find their wheelchair ads rejected. Let’s take a closer look.
Check how to get a free wheelchair in the video below.
Why Does Facebook Marketplace Keep Rejecting My Listing?
The main reason is that Facebook uses an algorithm for much of its approval or flagging. This means there is very little human intervention.
The algorithm sees an ad for something like an electric wheelchair as a medical device and rejects it. It also might explain why you do see some listings for wheelchairs and other mobility equipment; some just get through.
Unfortunately, requesting a review doesn’t seem to get you anywhere. I found this disappointing, as mobility devices can be pretty expensive equipment.
However, Facebook Marketplace isn’t the only option for selling or buying wheelchair equipment and similar types of products.
During my research, I found other online sites where you can find good mobility equipment at more reasonable prices.
Let’s take a closer look at the alternatives.
The 6 Best Places To Sell Used Wheelchairs Online?
Several online marketplaces do allow the sale of mobility equipment and other low-risk medical devices.
1. eBay Mobility & Walking Equipment
eBay has a section called ‘Mobility & Walking Equipment.’ Here you will find a variety of equipment for sale, including manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, and even batteries to power chairs.
The listings are for both new and used mobility equipment. And both business and private sales are allowed.
2. Craigslist For Selling Wheelchairs
Craigslist works by having sections for different areas around the country. So, for example, if you live in Southern California, go to that section and put in your search for a wheelchair.
3. Open Box Medical
Speaking of Southern California, if you live in that area, take a look at Open Box Medical. They will take your mobility equipment and sell it for you. If you are looking for an item, you can visit their online shop.
Open Box Medical isn’t the only marketplace of this type, so see if there is something similar in your area.
4. The Mobility Market USA
The Mobility Market USA is a marketplace dedicated specifically to buying and selling used mobility aids. It covers the entire United States; just search for the product category you want to see the listings.
5. CareCure Community
CareCure is an online forum that allows members to sell wheelchair equipment in their ‘Equipment & Services forum. You will need to become a member of the forum to see that section.
6. Buy Sell Wheelchairs
Buysellwheelchairs.com is a marketplace dedicated just to wheelchairs, mobility scooters, ramps, and related accessories.
You will have to register to sell a wheelchair, and ads are not free. A basic ad is $5.
READ MORE: Guide to Free Wheelchairs for the Disabled
FAQs
1. Will Medicare pay for a wheelchair?
Yes, under the right qualifications, Medicare will help pay for a wheelchair. Certain types of equipment require ‘prior authorization.’ [2] It is worth looking into this if you do not have the budget to purchase a chair yourself.
Check our list of electric wheelchairs covered by Medicare.
2. Can you sell a wheelchair on eBay?
Yes, you can sell a wheelchair on eBay. Make sure to include as much detail as possible to answer all the questions you might have if you were the person looking to purchase.
I hope this helped you understand the answer to ‘why can’t you sell wheelchairs on Facebook Marketplace?’ It is unfortunate that using this route is difficult, and hopefully, the marketplace will someday allow it.
In the meantime, there are some other options worth exploring.
Have you ever tried to sell a wheelchair on Facebook Marketplace, what was your experience? Let me know in the comments.
Resources
1. ADA National Network. What is the Americans with disabilities act (ADA)? [Internet]. Adata.org. 2017. Available from: https://adata.org/learn-about-ada
2. Medicare’s Wheelchair & Scooter Benefit [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11046-Medicare-Wheelchair-Scooter.pdf
This makes sense. You want to be sure they work properly and a lot of people sell crap on the marketplace.
Well I’m not a lot of people! .
I need to sell my wheelchair.
Why have I not got the same rights as anyone else?
I think that it’s a great idea that they limited this being sold on FB.
I guess FB is watching themselves and preventing any sort of legalities. But there are other online options that you mentioned would be willing to help sell the wheelchair.
That’s a bummer since Marketplace seems to have everything. Good to know there are other options out there.
That’s interesting, I had no idea FB Market place doesn’t let people sell wheelchairs. Luckily there are other places that will.
Wow.. I had no idea that you could not sell about anything ion FB Marketplace……. thank you for sharing!
Wow, I never knew you couldn’t sell anything on facebook marketplace. I learned something new. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I’d have to agree with Amber here and also say that it’s likely for the purchaser’s, seller’s, and platform’s safety that they have an umbrella restriction in selling medical equipment. I’m glad to see, however, that there are other options!
woah, I had no idea you couldn’t sell wheelchairs on Facebook marketplace. I was going to suggest my neighbor do this but now I know he wouldn’t be able to.
Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes, maybe that has something to do with it. They also have to work for the person.
I had no idea that you couldn’t sell a wheel chair. I tried to sell a stethoscope on there though and that got rejected too so I guess it’s anything medical related.
It is interesting to learn about this. I notice that Facebook bans certain things, and it is good to know the thought process behind it.
This makes sense. I would hate to buy one and have it collapse or break.
I had no idea but it makes sense now why I couldn’t find any when I was looking for one for my father.
I hate that you can’t sell certain items on Facebook. I have noticed they’re getting a lot more picky lately.
It’s a shame since Marketplace offers basically everything. But it’s good to know that you can buy it at another place and you have options.
I think it is pretty sad that you can’t sell them on FB Marketplace as I am sure it is much more affordable for people to purchase from the marketplace where they can find a better deal versus buying brand new….. it could mean the difference from someone having a wheelchair versus not having a way to get around. Good to know there are alternate ways to go about it though.
Great article explaining why selling wheelchairs on Facebook Marketplace is challenging. Really important information for anyone looking to buy or sell mobility aids. Thanks for shedding light on this issue
At least there’s still the option to buy/sell on Ebay, and since items are typically insured it covers both the buyer and seller’s butts! Marketplace is more of a wild card and if you buy it and it doesn’t work well then it’s just a loss you’ll have to eat.
I guess it makes sense, and it is good that there are protections in place so that people do not end up with faulty medical items.