How do I accept payment on FB marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is a convenient platform for buying and selling locally. As a seller, you may be wondering how to accept payments through Facebook Marketplace. There are a few different payment options available, so you can choose the method that works best for your needs. In this article, we’ll walk through the payment options on Facebook Marketplace and provide tips for safely accepting payments.

Payment Options on Facebook Marketplace

Here are the main ways buyers can pay you on Facebook Marketplace:

Facebook Pay	Buyers can use Facebook Pay to send you money directly through Messenger or your News Feed. This uses the payment information saved to their Facebook account.
Cash	Meet up with the buyer in person and accept cash for the item.
PayPal	Buyers can send you money using PayPal. You’ll need a PayPal account connected to your Facebook profile.
Local pickup	For large items like furniture, arrange for the buyer to pick up the item and pay in person.

Facebook Pay and PayPal are the most convenient digital payment options. With Facebook Pay, the money goes directly to your bank account associated with Facebook. PayPal lets buyers pay with credit cards and other methods.

How to Set Up Facebook Pay

To receive payments through Facebook Pay, you need to set up a Facebook Pay account:

Go to your Facebook app and tap the Menu icon in the top right.
Select “Facebook Pay” and tap “Get Started.”

Enter your card details and confirm your identity.
Choose whether to set this card as your default payment method.
Review and agree to the terms.

Once Facebook Pay is activated, buyers will be able to select this option when discussing the transaction in Messenger or on your post. The money will deposit directly into your connected bank account, with no fees.

How to Set Up PayPal

To accept PayPal payments on Facebook Marketplace:

Link your PayPal account to your Facebook profile:
- Go to “Settings” then “Payment Settings.”
- Under “PayPal,” select “Manage PayPal Account.”
- Enter your PayPal email and password.
When buyers choose to pay with PayPal, you’ll receive a notification to accept the money.
Once accepted, the payment will go to your PayPal balance or connected bank account.

PayPal charges a small transaction fee but can be useful for larger purchases.

Best Practices for Accepting Payments

When dealing with strangers online, it’s important to take precautions with payments. Here are some tips:

Only accept payment methods you’re comfortable with. Don’t feel pressured to take payment in a way that seems sketchy.

Avoid bank transfers, wire transfers, checks, or unprotected forms of digital payment with people you don’t know.
Meet in a safe, public place if accepting cash. Only accept physical cash – no personal checks.
Don’t provide sensitive information like your card number or online banking password to buyers.

Only ship items after the payment has fully cleared and you can verify the funds.
Save all communications with the buyer in case you need to file a claim later.

Following these best practices will help prevent fraudulent transactions or non-payments.

Facebook Purchase Protection

One of the advantages of accepting Facebook Pay is that purchases are covered by Facebook Purchase Protection.

Here’s how it works:

File a claim within 180 days if an item is not as described or not delivered.

Facebook will review your case and documentation.
If approved, Facebook will refund the buyer and let you keep the funds.

This provides peace of mind for higher value items. Keep records of all conversations and shipment tracking to help support your claim.

PayPal Purchase Protection

Similarly, PayPal offers purchase protection for goods and services purchased through PayPal:

Provides coverage for issues like items not received or significantly not as described.
File a dispute through PayPal’s Resolution Center within 180 days of payment.

PayPal will investigate and refund the buyer if your claim is approved.

PayPal may require proof of delivery and communication with the seller. Having documentation will strengthen your claim.

Handling Meetups for Cash Payments

For local transactions, many buyers will prefer to pay cash in person. Here are some tips for safely conducting these meetups:

Choose a busy public place like a coffee shop or store for the meetup.
Avoid inviting strangers to your home or going to remote locations.
Bring a friend or family member with you for safety.

Request the exact cash amount and check that it’s legitimate before handing over the item.
Offer a receipt as documentation.
Trust your instincts – if you feel unsafe, cancel the sale.

Exchanging cash for low cost items can be perfectly safe. Just use good judgment when meeting strangers.

Safety Tips for Home Meetups

If you must host a buyer at your home, take these additional precautions:

Communicate only through Facebook Messenger so you have their contact information.

Confirm their name and request identification upon arrival.
Have another person present at your home during the exchange.
Decline entry to your home – conduct business at your front door only.

Record video of the buyer and license plate for security.

Your personal safety should be the top priority during in-person Facebook Marketplace transactions.

Shipping Items After Receiving Payment

For serious buyers, you may be comfortable shipping an item after receiving the digital payment. Here are some tips for safely shipping Facebook Marketplace items:

Only ship to the address on the buyer’s Facebook account.
Wait for payments to fully process before releasing the item.
Get tracking information and delivery confirmation.

Insure valuable items in case of loss or damage.
Use a shipping provider like UPS or FedEx for accountability.
Provide shipping updates to the buyer.

Confirm the buyer received the item.

The buyer assumes the shipping costs and risks. Don’t ship before receiving a complete non-refundable payment.

Creating a Paper Trail

To protect yourself as a seller, it’s critical to document every step of the transaction.

Save all Facebook Messenger conversations as evidence.
Get a receipt for any cash payment.
Keep records of the shipping carrier, tracking number, and delivery confirmation.

Take photos documenting the item’s condition before shipping.
Back up any statements by the buyer acknowledging they received the item.

Having a paper trail demonstrates your accountability as a seller and provides evidence if any disputes arise later.

Handling Returns or Refund Requests

Despite your best efforts, sometimes buyers will want to return an item or request a refund. Here is how to handle it professionally:

Communicate only through the official channels (Facebook Messenger for Facebook payments).
Calmly request details on why the buyer is unsatisfied.

If reasonable, offer solutions like a partial refund or agreeing to a return shipping.
Clearly communicate your return policy upfront before accepting payment.
Politely decline unreasonable requests, but avoid conflict.

Provide proof to Facebook or PayPal to contest unjustified chargebacks.

The right course of action depends on your return policy and the buyer’s concerns. Do your best to resolve issues fairly while protecting yourself from abuse.

Watching for Scams

Unfortunately, there are dishonest buyers looking to scam sellers:

Fake payment confirmations – Fraudsters mimic payment confirmations from Facebook or PayPal.
Chargebacks – Buyers can force a chargeback through their credit card company, reversing Facebook or PayPal payments.
Returns fraud – Buyers claim an item is damaged or not as described in order to get a refund after using the item.

Protect yourself by following payment security best practices, documenting everything, and contesting unjustified refunds.

Leveraging Facebook Marketplace for Sales

Despite potential payment issues, Facebook Marketplace presents a big opportunity to find buyers, especially locally. Here are tips to build your business:

Take appealing, detailed photos to attract interest.

Price items competitively based on Marketplace research.
Respond quickly and professionally to buyer inquiries.
Mention payment options like Facebook Pay and PayPal in listings.

Share safety practices to build buyer trust.
Proactively ask happy customers for reviews.
Re-list quality items that don’t initially sell.

Providing a good buying experience will earn you positive reviews and repeat business.

Expanding Your Reach

To go beyond Facebook Marketplace:

Post listings to local buy/sell groups on Facebook.

Advertise high-value items on Craigslist.
Build an ecommerce website to establish your brand and accept credit card payments.
Partner with consignment stores or auction houses for rare and valuable items.

Diversifying across multiple platforms makes the most of your inventory.

Conclusion

Facebook Marketplace brings opportunity and risks when accepting payments. By understanding the payment methods, setting up proper protection, communicating professionally, and documenting everything, you can confidently sell items at full price to satisfied buyers. Focus on safety, honesty and providing a smooth experience from listing to delivery. This will lead to growing your business one great transaction at a time.