Facebook Marketplace has become a popular platform for buying and selling items locally or shipping them. With over 1 billion monthly active users on Facebook, Marketplace gives you access to a huge pool of potential buyers and sellers. However, there are risks involved when buying items online, especially if you need to have it shipped. This guide will provide tips on how to safely buy items on Facebook Marketplace that require shipping.
Research the Seller Thoroughly
When buying an item on Facebook Marketplace that requires shipping, it’s important to thoroughly research the seller first. Here are some things to look for:
- Check their Facebook profile – Does it look legitimate with real posts and friends?
- See how long they’ve been on Facebook – Avoid new accounts.
- Look at their Marketplace reputation – Do they have many reviews? What do buyers say?
- Examine their social media presence – Do they have LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc?
- Google their name and phone number – Anything suspicious come up?
- Ask questions – See if they respond promptly and knowledgeably.
A seller with an established online presence across multiple networks is generally safer to deal with. Be wary of sellers with little information available or no history of completed sales. Scammers often create new accounts to defraud buyers.
Ask for Multiple Photos
Don’t rely on the single photo a seller has posted of the item. Ask them to send you additional photos from different angles and including any flaws. This gives you a better representation of the item’s real condition.
Specifically ask for photos of any wear and tear, stains, damages, or missing pieces. Sometimes sellers try to hide flaws in the main photo. If the seller seems hesitant or makes excuses, that’s a red flag.
Request Live Video
To take your inspection of the item further, ask the seller to send you a live video. Have them slowly pan around the entire item so you can get a close look at it from all sides. Watch carefully for any inconsistencies from the photos.
A video makes it much harder for a seller to misrepresent an item’s condition. If they keep avoiding your request or sending pre-recorded videos instead, proceed with caution.
Ask Detailed Questions
Don’t be shy about asking the seller plenty of questions before purchasing, especially if they have provided limited item details. Here are some examples of good questions to ask:
- How old is the item?
- Where did you purchase it originally? Do you have the receipt?
- Has this item ever been damaged or repaired?
- Is anything missing or not working properly?
- Why are you selling this item?
- How will you package it for shipping?
Their answers will help you determine if the item matches the seller’s description and if they know the details well enough to actually own it. If you get short, vague, or inconsistent responses, that’s a warning sign.
Verify Serial Numbers
If an item has a serial number, ask the seller to provide the full number. Then check online to see if it’s registered as lost, stolen or otherwise suspicious. This is especially important for expensive electronics and appliances.
Run the serial number through sites like Stolen Camera Finder or the FBI’s stolen items database. If the seller refuses to supply the serial number, do not buy from them.
Request Secure Payment
Never pay a Facebook Marketplace seller using risky methods like Venmo, CashApp, direct bank transfer or gift cards. These offer no buyer protection.
The safest option is to use Facebook’s own payment system, which is designed for Marketplace transactions. This provides oversight and fraud monitoring by Facebook.
You can also pay the seller through PayPal Goods and Services, which offers buyer protection for items not as described or not delivered. Avoid PayPal Friends and Family, which has no protection.
Get it in Writing
Before paying for an item, get all details of the sale confirmed by the seller in writing through Facebook Messenger. This includes:
- Item description and condition
- Serial number (if applicable)
- Sales price and shipping costs
- Agreed shipping method and insurance
- Seller’s commitment to ship by a certain date
Having this information documented provides proof in case the seller does not follow through as promised. If they become evasive when you ask to get written confirmation, bail on the deal.
Review Shipping Plan
Before paying, get clear information from the seller on how they plan to package and ship the item. Make sure they agree to:
- Use a box/packaging appropriate for the item’s size and fragility.
- Pad the item generously with bubble wrap or foam.
- Use void fill like packing paper or air bags to immobilize the item inside the box.
- Opt for signature confirmation upon delivery.
- Fully insure the package.
Also agree on a shipping carrier, service level and expected delivery timeframe. Refuse delivery to a P.O. box and require a street address. This helps ensure you receive the item.
Check Feedback on Shipping
Read through the seller’s previous reviews to see if other buyers mention how well they package and ship items. Look for complaints about:
- Delayed shipments
- Items arriving damaged due to poor packing.
- Ignoring special shipping requests
- Charging excessive shipping fees
If the seller has a habit of mishandling shipments or ripping off buyers on shipping costs, they are not trustworthy. Keep looking.
Inspect it Immediately
As soon as the shipped item arrives, inspect it carefully before signing for delivery. Check for:
- Damage during shipping – note any crushed boxes or punctured packaging
- Missing pieces or parts – is the item incomplete in any way?
- Signs of use – are there stains, scratches, dust or dirt that were not in the photos?
- Working properly – does electronic equipment power up correctly?
If anything seems off, refuse the delivery or sign for it as damaged. Then contact the seller immediately with photo evidence and file a claim if they do not offer a satisfactory resolution.
Test Before Rating
If the item looks intact upon initial inspection, take time to thoroughly test and examine it before leaving any feedback. Use it as intended and run any diagnostic tests if possible. Some issues may take time to manifest.
Only after you’ve verified the item is as described in the seller’s listing should you considering leaving them a positive rating. If problems show up later, you can still file a complaint.
Use Escrow Service for Big Purchases
For expensive items or high-value transactions, consider using an escrow service as an extra layer of protection. This involves:
- Buyer pays the escrow service instead of the seller.
- Seller ships the item to the buyer.
- Buyer inspects and authorizes release of funds to the seller.
- Escrow service pays the seller minus any fees.
This way your money is protected until you approve the item. Two popular escrow services are Escrow.com and PayPal’s Escrow Program.
Avoid Common Facebook Marketplace Scams
When buying items that require shipping on Facebook Marketplace specifically, be on the lookout for these common scams:
- Fake shipping – Seller takes your money but never actually ships the item.
- Fake tracking number – Seller provides a bogus tracking number that shows the item shipped even though it wasn’t.
- “Accidentally” overpaid – Seller asks you to send back the extra money they purposely sent.
- Sob story – Seller claims they need the money urgently for an emergency or misfortune.
A savvy buyer who does their due diligence on the seller, item condition and shipping method can minimize the chances of getting scammed.
Use a Credit Card
One final recommendation is to pay for your Facebook Marketplace purchase with a credit card whenever possible. Credit cards provide additional fraud protection and allow you to dispute charges for items that are defective, damaged or not delivered.
Avoid direct debit payments like bank transfers or e-checks, which offer no consumer protections. Do not buy expensive items using Facebook Pay – credit card is much safer.
Conclusion
While buying items on Facebook Marketplace can save you money, use caution when having something shipped sight unseen. Do your homework to verify the seller’s identity and trustworthiness. Get all item details confirmed over Messenger. Require extensive photos, videos and serial numbers. Review shipping protections. Only rate the seller after inspecting that the item arrived as described.
For high dollar purchases, use escrow services or buy with a credit card. Following these tips will help ensure a smooth transaction when buying items remotely on Facebook Marketplace.