Selling items on Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to declutter and earn some extra cash. However, getting paid securely is an important consideration when using Facebook Marketplace or any online platform. Here are some tips on how to get your money securely when selling an item on Facebook Marketplace:
Set Expectations with the Buyer
Before listing your item for sale, think about your preferred payment methods and make sure to clearly state this in your listing description. Some options to consider include:
- Cash – Only accept cash upon pickup or delivery of the item. Be sure to mention cash only in your listing.
- Facebook Pay – This is Facebook’s payment system that allows for peer-to-peer payments. The buyer would send you the money via Facebook Pay before or upon pickup.
- PayPal – You can include your PayPal email or link in the listing for buyers to send payment.
- Venmo – Similar to PayPal, you can include your Venmo username for payments.
- Local pickup only – Require the buyer to pick up the item in person and only accept cash at that meetup. Make it clear in your listing that you will not ship the item.
Being upfront in your listing about when and how you expect payment will help set clear expectations with buyers.
Use Caution with Checks and Money Orders
While checks or money orders seem like secure options, it’s generally safer to avoid accepting these forms of payment from Facebook Marketplace buyers you don’t know. Some key reasons to use caution with checks and money orders:
- Fake checks – Scammers can easily create fake checks that initially appear valid but will eventually bounce.
- No payment guarantee – Banks make funds from checks available before they fully clear. So the check could still bounce even after you see the deposit in your account.
- No recourse – If the check bounces after you’ve already shipped the item, you have little recourse to get your item or money back.
Cash, online payments like PayPal and Venmo, or Facebook Pay offer more purchase protection for sellers than checks or money orders from strangers.
Only Ship to Confirmed Addresses
If you agree to ship an item sold on Facebook Marketplace, only ship to the confirmed PayPal, Venmo, or Facebook Pay address provided by the buyer. Some tips on safe shipping:
- No address changes – Do not ship to a different address if requested; only ship to the confirmed address on the payment account.
- Confirm name – Verify the name on the shipping address matches the buyer’s account name.
- Tracking number – Always get a tracking number when shipping so you can confirm delivery.
- Insurance – Consider insuring valuables in case the package is lost or damaged.
- Signature – Request a signature upon delivery for more expensive/risky items.
Following these best practices helps minimize the risk of issues with the buyer claiming they did not receive the shipment.
Watch Out for Scams
While most Facebook Marketplace buyers and sellers are honest, scams do happen. Here are some common Facebook Marketplace scams to watch out for:
- Fake payments – The buyer sends a bogus confirmation for PayPal, Venmo, or Facebook Pay. The payment never actually goes through.
- Fake shipping company – A “shipping company” contacts you about picking up the item but it’s just a scam to steal the item.
- Overpayment – The buyer overpays, asking you to wire back the difference. But the original payment then bounces.
- Sob stories – The buyer may try to persuade you with a convincing sob story, but it’s just a ploy to scam you.
Trust your gut instinct – if something seems suspicious about a potential buyer or their payment method, simply cancel the transaction. It’s better to miss out on one sale than lose money and an item to a scam.
Meet in a Public Place
When meeting a Facebook Marketplace buyer to exchange the item for cash, always pick a safe public location. Some tips to ensure a secure meetup:
- Meet during the day – Only meet in daylight hours for safety.
- Pick a busy area – Choose somewhere like a coffee shop with plenty of people around.
- No home meetups – Never invite strangers into your home or go to theirs.
- Bring a friend – Having someone with you provides protection and a witness.
- Watch the payment – Carefully inspect cash to avoid counterfeit bills.
- Have change ready – If they only have large bills, you’ll want to be able to make change.
- Don’t provide delivery – Offer local pickup only to avoid being lured to an unsafe location.
Trust your instincts – if you feel uneasy about the meetup spot or buyer, cancel the sale. You can always find another buyer.
Get Help from Facebook
Facebook provides several resources to help Marketplace buyers and sellers conduct transactions safely:
- User profiles – View the seller’s profile and previous reviews to help identify potential scams.
- Payment disputes – If you don’t receive payment, you can file a dispute through Facebook to try recovering your money.
- Block users – If you encounter a suspicious buyer, block them so they can’t contact you again.
- Report issues – Notify Facebook of any scams, fake profiles, or other issues to help keep the marketplace safe.
- Customer support – Reach out to Facebook’s customer support team if you have any trouble with a Marketplace transaction.
Facebook also provides tips on their help pages for buying and selling safely and avoiding scams.
Get Paid Securely in Steps
To recap, here are the key steps for securely getting paid when selling items on Facebook Marketplace:
- Clearly state your preferred payment methods in your listing, such as cash-only, Facebook Pay, Venmo or PayPal.
- Avoid checks or money orders from buyers you don’t know.
- Only ship to the buyer’s confirmed address on PayPal, Venmo or Facebook.
- Use caution with buyers and be aware of potential scams.
- Meet in a safe public place if transferring the item for cash.
- Leverage Facebook’s resources like profiles, disputes and blocking to stay protected.
Following these tips will help ensure you get paid properly and avoid issues when selling your items on Facebook Marketplace.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace can be a convenient platform for selling unwanted items, however getting paid securely should always be a top priority. By clearly setting payment expectations upfront, avoiding risky payment methods, watching for scams, meeting buyers wisely, and using Facebook resources, sellers can have more confidence in safely receiving payments. Taking the proper precautions allows both buyers and sellers to enjoy Facebook Marketplace as a helpful community ecosystem for exchanging items.