Save big by joining Facebook trading groups

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Digital Sales are the latest shopping trend. It's a sale via special "invite only" Facebook Trading Groups.

It's a lot like Craig's List, but the idea is to trade with people who live near and around you via Facebook trading groups. You have to be invited or know someone to start shopping.

Jen Meneely is the owner of the secret online group, "The River Oaks Area" trading group. In order to be a member, you have to have a friend who is a member.

The big reason it's exclusive is number one for safety concerns. Meneely says "If their Facebook is so locked down, they don't have a profile picture, they don't have any visible friends, I want to make sure it is a real person."

The other big reason it's exclusive is to keep the buying and trading convenient for members. Items for sale include Texans football tickets, jewelry and designer hand bags.

There is also a system and rules on buying and selling on these groups. he seller posts an item on the site and whomever chimes in first interested, you have first dibs on the item for sale.

And once the item is "sold" the seller must delete the post. Meneely says "it almost takes the place of EBay, because I used to sell on EBay but I find that I don't need to go to EBay, because I list it on the trading site and 99% of the time it gets sold there."

To find out about any trading groups in your area, check your Facebook Friends group or do a search. Memorial Area, Katy, The Woodlands and other neighborhoods all have trading groups.