Facebook Marketplace has become an extremely popular platform for buying and selling used goods. With over 1 billion active users on Facebook, Marketplace offers a huge potential audience for both buyers and sellers. However, the ease of use and anonymity of Marketplace transactions can leave some users wondering – are Facebook Marketplace offers legit? Here we’ll examine some of the risks and red flags to watch out for when using Facebook Marketplace.
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook Marketplace allows Facebook users to easily buy and sell items through the social media platform. Introduced in 2016, Marketplace provides a convenient alternative to sites like Craigslist and eBay. To access Marketplace, Facebook users simply click on the Marketplace icon on the left side of their Facebook page. From there, they can browse listings in various categories, communicate with sellers through Facebook messenger, and complete transactions.
Marketplace has exploded in popularity for several reasons:
- Huge built-in audience – 1.2 billion people actively use Facebook each month
- Free to list items
- Easy to use interface
- Leverages existing Facebook profile and connections
- Has rating system for buyers/sellers
- Allows local pickup for large/bulky items
For buyers, it provides an enormous selection of goods with competitive pricing. For sellers, it provides exposure to a massive group of targeted, local buyers.
Risks of Facebook Marketplace
While Facebook Marketplace offers convenience and opportunity, users should be aware of some of the inherent risks:
Lack of buyer/seller vetting
Unlike eBay or Amazon, Facebook does not thoroughly vet sellers on Marketplace. Pretty much anyone can list an item for sale. This means there is a higher risk of fraudulent or disreputable sellers.
Anonymous accounts
Facebook allows people to create anonymous buyer/seller accounts not tied to their personal profile. This makes it easier for scammers to create fake accounts and rip people off.
Harder to verify condition of items
Since Marketplace deals often involve local pickup of items, buyers don’t always have a chance to inspect merchandise before purchase. Scammers can more easily misrepresent the condition of what they are selling.
Vulnerable payment methods
Common payment methods on Facebook Marketplace include cash, PayPal, Venmo and Facebook Payments. These tend to offer less buyer protection compared to credit cards.
Limited seller ratings
Facebook only allows ratings on a 1 to 5 star scale. Unlike eBay, there is no detailed seller feedback on things like item description, shipping time and communication.
How to Spot Facebook Marketplace Scams
Here are some red flags to watch out for to avoid Facebook Marketplace scams:
Price is dramatically lower than normal
An abnormally low price for a high value item is a tell-tale sign of a scam. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Won’t allow local pickup
Reputable sellers should not object to local pickup for large items they are selling. Scammers will make excuses and insist on shipping.
Requests payment via wire transfer
Wiring money allows zero buyer protection. Legit sellers will agree to use PayPal or another service that offers recourse in case of fraud.
Communication feels “off”
Scammers may communicate in broken English or be vague about certain details. Their replies may seem scripted rather than conversational.
Seller has no previous transactions
Check a seller’s profile for previous sales activity and reviews. Zero history indicates an anonymous account specifically created for scamming.
| Signs of a Legit Seller | Signs of a Scammer |
|---|---|
|
|
Tips for Buying Safely on Facebook Marketplace
Here are some tips for how to safely take advantage of Facebook Marketplace deals:
Thoroughly inspect seller’s profile
Don’t just glance at a seller’s profile picture and name. Take time to review their number of friends, profile completeness, previous sales activity and feedback.
Ask questions
Engage the seller in conversation through Facebook messenger before purchasing. Get a feel for their responsiveness and knowledge about what they are selling.
See if you have common connections
Knowing you and a seller have common Facebook friends can give you more confidence in their legitimacy.
Search for item elsewhere
Quickly search for the item on eBay, Craigslist or Google Shopping to compare pricing and see if it’s abnormally low.
Insist on PayPal for payment
PayPal offers buyer protection for goods not as described. Avoid payment methods with no recourse like bank wires or Amazon gift cards.
Meet in a public place
When buying locally, arrange to meet the seller in a safe public place like a cafe or bank lobby during normal business hours.
Inspect item before paying
Thoroughly examine the item, ask questions, test it out. Make sure it matches the description before handing over any money.
Get receipt with seller info
For high value purchases, make sure to get a receipt from the seller with their full name, phone number and address in case issues arise later.
Protecting Yourself as a Seller on Marketplace
Not only do buyers need to exercise caution – sellers face risks like non-payment, fake returns and damage during local meetups. Here are some ways sellers can protect themselves:
Require immediate payment
To weed out non-serious buyers, require immediate PayPal or Facebook Checkout payment rather than letting people pay later in person.
Ship valuable items
Avoid local meetup headaches and scams. Use tracking numbers and signature confirmation when mailing expensive merchandise.
Photograph packaging process
Take pictures before sealing the box to protect against bogus swap-and-return scams from dishonest buyers.
Video record electronics
Record yourself demonstrating functioning electronics from all angles before selling to guard against fraudulent return claims of damage.
No returns
Write “no returns” on all listings to prevent headaches from picky buyers who simply change their mind or falsely claim defects.
Meet in public
When meeting locally, choose a public place and bring a friend. Avoid letting strangers know where you live.
| Safety Tips for Sellers | Safety Tips for Buyers |
|---|---|
|
|
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace can be an excellent platform for finding deals as a buyer or exposure as a seller – as long as proper precautions are taken by both parties. By thoroughly vetting profiles, avoiding sketchy payment methods, inspecting items and exercising common sense, Marketplace commerce can generally be conducted safely. However, users should always employ a healthy level of skepticism when dealing with anonymous strangers on the internet.