Advice on opening a Facebook account

today | me

[chrisser]

I've managed to live without Facebook and Twitter.

However, we're in a rural area and apparently Facebook Marketplace is the place to go for local classifieds for buying/selling and for offering/finding services. I need someone to haul some scrap metal off our property and have hit a brick wall trying to find someone through my small network of contacts (I'm at a new job at month 4).

So I'm reluctantly considering opening a Facebook account, if only because the site's popups make it virtually unusable without one. I've also noticed a lot of local businesses don't have web sites in lieu of a Facebook page. I don't get it, but whatever.

Any advice on signing up and configuring the account to maximize my privacy and minimize annoyances?

[FreedomPoster]

Try Nextdoor instead of Facebook.

[READINABLUESTATE]

Craigslist?

[Lazamataz]

Use a fake picture and a fake name. I use a bunny rabbit and my FR handle.

[Vermont Lt]

Build an account with fake information.

[z3n]

Use a fake picture and a fake name. I use a bunny rabbit and my FR handle.

~~~

Best advice; avoid creating an account if AT ALL possible. You’re better off.

But if you do, Laz is right. Make a fake account. To do it right, for starters, you cannot use an email address that is associated with ANY of your personal information. If you use your johnSmith12941@gmail.com account that you also use for amazon, apple, and online banking, you have just told not only Facebook exactly who you are, but you also give google and apple a lot more info on you as well as they will start to mine and monitor your new facebook page for your personal data (such as what city’s market place you frequent).

Also, make sure you are browsing without cookies, at the very least, if you’re not going to use a VPN or Tor browser

...unless of course, you don’t care about personal data aggregation...

[a fool in paradise]

Create a burner email address, one you aren’t using for something else. Also note that they will infest your computer with tracking cookies to build a profile on you.

[a fool in paradise]

Is the name “Pierre Delecto” taken?

[SanchoP]

Don't do it!! It's a trap!!
Do the unthinkable. Get out and meet some of your neighbors. Start at the local market and wave at people when you drive down the street. (It's a secret sign that tells people you're not an A--hole.)

[Betty Jane]

If it’s just for the one time, ask a friend to post the ad for you. Give them a small commission when it sells.

[duckman]

Don’t, they sell your personal information.

[chrisser]

Thanks all,

Unfortunately, Craigslist and other services aren’t an option. The people I need to reach are on Facebook. Me being elsewhere isn’t going to do me any mpre good now than not being on any of them.

Setting up a burner email for signup is no problem. I’m transitioning away from gmail to protonmail with my everyday personal account. Any suggestions on a “safe” place to set up a burner email?

[Cboldt]

Use your real name, fudge your personal details. Be stingy with allowing friends. Read, don’t write.

[JudyinCanada]

My son reluctantly opened a FB account to access FB Marketplace because he has started a small side business.

He opened the account and was told he could not access Marketplace right away. I don’t know how long the waiting time is, but it’s been over a month and he still uses my account to access Marketplace.

[BradyLS]

OP:

Find out where scrap metal would be taken in your area for disposal.

Take the pieces that you can there.

Ask the proprietor: Who brings larger pieces in to them that would make pickups at a (residential) address?

Call ‘em!

[Covenantor]

For just a one shot deal, do a web search for scrap metal dealers in your area....depending on what type and quantity, they may pick it up and even pay a nominal sum. At the very least they can probably recommend someone that does that.

Stay away from fb.

[chrisser]

Get out and meet some of your neighbors. Start at the local market and wave at people when you drive down the street.

Good advice. I've met all my neighbors in a 5 mile radius. Since they're all related (not a joke) it doesn't give as much networking opportunity as you might think. And, BTW, that's a grand total of 8 adults and 5 kids in that radius.

I did discover the secret sign - it was difficult to get used to coming from the city.

I've put out feelers at work, but nothing yet. Basically everyone's advice is to put an ad on Facebook Marketplace. After hearing that half a dozen times from as many people, I started to think that maybe it was advice worth considering.

[BradyLS]

...I suppose you could drop the “take pieces there” part of you have no pieces small enough. Find out who takes. Call em and ask who can be contracted to make pickups.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

What’s wrong with craigslist?

I hate facebook. It sucks you in. I gave it up because I couldn’t stand seeing an endless stream of sht annoying me on my feed and falling out with friends and family over politics.

My life is more peaceful now I’ve broken away from it.

[bk1000]

Try Craigslist. Try Takl. Avoid Facebook.