The Ultimate Facebook Marketplace Slang Dictionary: What POOS, OBO, PPU, and FCFS Actually Mean

You’ve found the perfect vintage coffee table or a gently used iPhone. You’re ready to buy, but the description looks like a secret code: “Must go today! POOS, FCFS, $50 OBO. No holds.”

If you are new to Facebook Marketplace, these acronyms can be confusing. Are they yelling at you? Is it a scam?

As someone who refreshes Marketplace a dozen times a day hunting for deals, I can tell you that these aren’t just random letters. They are specific tools sellers use to filter out time-wasters and sell items faster. Understanding them is the difference between snagging a great deal and getting ignored.

Here is your complete guide to decoding Facebook Marketplace slang.

1. POOS / POMS

You will often see these terms at the very bottom of a listing description. They are incredibly common in competitive markets.

What Does POOS Mean?

POOS stands for “Posted On Other Sites.”

Similarly, POMS stands for “Posted On Multiple Sites.”

They mean the exact same thing: the seller hasn’t just listed this item on Facebook. It is also live on platforms like OfferUp, Craigslist, Nextdoor, or Mercari.

What is the Seller Expecting?

When I mark my own listings as POOS, I am sending a clear signal: Competition.

The seller is telling you that the item has high visibility. They are managing your expectations. If you message them at 10:00 AM and they sell it to an OfferUp buyer at 10:05 AM, they don’t want you to be angry. They are also implying that they are motivated sellers who know how to market their goods—they want it gone, and they want it gone fast.

2. OBO

This is the favorite acronym of bargain hunters everywhere. If you see this, the price tag is flexible.

What Does OBO Mean?

OBO stands for “Or Best Offer.”

Sometimes you will see it written as “$100 obo.”

What is the Seller Expecting?

The seller is admitting they might be unsure of the item’s true value, or they just prioritize clearing space over making maximum profit.

This is standard practice for high-ticket items. For example, if you are selling cars on Facebook Marketplace, buyers almost expect to negotiate. They are looking for the “best” offer, which usually means the highest price combined with the easiest pickup.

How You Should Respond

This is your green light to haggle.

A good rule of thumb is to offer 10% to 20% below the asking price. You can also combine your lower offer with convenience. “Would you take $40? I can pick it up right now so you don’t have to store it anymore.”

3. PPU

In the post-2020 world, this has become the standard for selling low-value items like kid’s clothes, books, or small decor.

What Does PPU Mean?

PPU stands for “Porch Pick Up.”

It refers to a contactless trade. The seller leaves the item outside their front door (on the porch), and the buyer picks it up without ever ringing the doorbell or meeting face-to-face.

What is the Seller Expecting?

Trust and simplicity.

The seller is likely a busy parent or someone working from home who doesn’t have time to coordinate a specific meet-up time at a grocery store. They expect you to be honest. They will tell you where to leave the money (usually under the doormat or in the mailbox) or ask for a Venmo/Zelle transfer once you have the item.

How You Should Respond

• Respect the Rules: Do not knock on the door unless told to.
• Be Precise: Tell the seller exactly when you are coming. “I’m on my way for PPU, ETA 15 minutes.”
• Payment: If paying cash, better bring exact change. Do not expect the seller to come out and give you change for a $20 bill on a $5 item.

4. FCFS

This is perhaps the most aggressive acronym on the platform, born out of seller frustration.

What Does FCFS Mean?

FCFS stands for “First Come, First Served.”

A variation of this is “No Holds.”

What is the Seller Expecting?

This seller has probably been “ghosted” (ignored) too many times. They are tired of buyers asking tons of questions and then never showing up.

By writing FCFS, they are setting a boundary: Verbal promises mean nothing. The item belongs to the first person who physically shows up or sends a digital deposit.

5. Status Indicators: Pending, In Talks, & NIL

Sometimes you find an item, but the status seems unclear. Here is how to navigate the “waiting room.”

What Do “Pending” and “In Talks” Mean?

• Pending: The seller has a deal in place. The buyer is likely on their way, or a deposit has been paid. The item is technically sold, but the cash hasn’t changed hands yet.
• In Talks: The seller is actively chatting with someone who seems serious, but no concrete plan has been made.

What Does NIL Mean?

NIL stands for “Next In Line.”

You will often see this in the comment section of popular listings.

How You Should Respond

• The “NIL” Strategy: If you see an item marked Pending, don’t just scroll past. Deals fall through all the time—people get flat tires, run out of gas, or just change their minds.
• Message the Seller: “I see this is Pending. Please put me down as NIL (Next In Line). If the first buyer flakes, I can come immediately.” This makes you the seller’s backup plan, which they love.

6. Pro Seller Terms: SKU & Promote Now

If you see these, you are likely dealing with a more professional seller or a “flipper,” not just a neighbor cleaning out their garage.

What is a SKU?

SKU stands for “Stock Keeping Unit.”

You might see “SKU: A-45” at the bottom of a description. This is for the seller’s internal organization. It means they have so much inventory they need codes to find it in their warehouse or storage unit.

What is “Promote Now”?

You might have seen this term in screenshots or help forums. “Promote Now” is a button sellers see. It allows them to pay Facebook to turn their listing into an ad (Sponsored Listing).

If you see a listing marked “Sponsored,” the seller is paying to show it to you. This usually means they are very eager to sell, or they are a business.

7. Troubleshooting: “Conversation Paused” & “OOS”

Finally, what happens when things go wrong?

What Does “Conversation Paused” Mean?

This is a red flag. It means you can no longer message the user.

• Scenario A: The seller blocked you.
• Scenario B: Facebook’s security AI flagged the seller as a scammer and suspended their account.
• Scenario C: You left a chaotic group chat. Advice: If you see this in the middle of a transaction, stop immediately. Do not send money.

What Does OOS Mean?

OOS stands for “Out Of Stock.”

Professional sellers who list multiple items (like 10 identical phone cases) use this. Instead of deleting the post, they mark it OOS to keep the listing data alive until they get more inventory.

Summary Table: Cheat Sheet for Buyers

Acronym	Meaning	Best Strategy
POOS	Posted On Other Sites	Act fast. Assume high competition.
OBO	Or Best Offer	Negotiate. Offer 10-20% less than asking.
FCFS	First Come First Served	Don’t ask for holds.
PPU	Porch Pick Up	Ask for address & payment info. Be honest.
NIL	Next In Line	Ask to be the backup buyer if the sale fails.
Cash Only	Cash Only	Stop at the ATM. Don’t ask to use Venmo.

Final Thoughts

Facebook Marketplace is one of the best places to find hidden gems, but it moves at lightning speed. Sellers use these acronyms to protect their time and sanity.

By speaking their language—understanding that FCFS means “don’t delay” and OBO means “make a deal”—you stop looking like a confused newbie and start looking like a serious buyer.

Next time you see a “POOS, FCFS, PPU” listing, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Happy hunting!