Selling items on Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to earn extra money by getting rid of things you no longer need. However, deciding how to accept payment can be tricky since Facebook Marketplace itself does not facilitate transactions. When meeting up with strangers from the internet, you’ll want to protect yourself and make sure you actually get paid. Here are some tips on the safest ways to accept payment when selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Meet in a Public Place
One of the most important safety measures when selling anything on Facebook Marketplace is to always meet the buyer in a public place. Choosing a busy, well-lit area helps ensure the buyer will be on their best behavior and reduces the risk of robbery or assault. Good meeting spot options include:
- Coffee shops
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Police station parking lots
When picking the meeting location, look for places with plenty of foot traffic and security cameras. Never invite strangers directly to your home.
Bring a Friend
For added security and peace of mind, consider bringing a friend along during the Facebook Marketplace transaction. Having a companion with you will help deter any ill intentions from the buyer. Your friend can also serve as a neutral third-party witness if any issues were to arise. If bringing a friend is not feasible, at the very least make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back.
Request Payment Upfront
To ensure you actually get paid, request the money before handing over the item. This avoids situations where the buyer takes the goods and runs off without paying. Some payment options to consider requesting upfront include:
- Cash: Request exact cash payment and avoid taking checks or money orders which can bounce. Count the cash carefully before turning over the item.
- PayPal: Request that the buyer send payment via PayPal before meeting up. You can quickly transfer money from PayPal to your bank account.
- Venmo: Similar to PayPal, have the buyer Venmo you the funds first so you know you will get paid.
Consider Delivery Instead
Rather than doing a face-to-face transaction, see if the buyer is open to having the item shipped or delivered instead. This allows you to accept payment completely remotely without having to meet in person. Some delivery options include:
- Using Facebook or PayPal’s shipping services where they provide the shipping label
- Shipping the item yourself through USPS, UPS, or FedEx
- Having the buyer pay for a delivery service like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash etc. to pick up and deliver the item
Just make sure to only ship to the confirmed address on the buyer’s Facebook profile and require signature confirmation. This provides tracking and proof of delivery.
Watch Out for Counterfeit Money
When accepting cash payments, be very careful to check that the money is legitimate and not counterfeit. Some tips include:
- Have a counterfeit detection pen on hand to check 20 and 100 dollar bills
- Closely examine the money for blurred edges, abnormal textures, watermarks etc.
- Pay attention if the buyer seems nervous when you inspect the cash
Trust your instincts if you suspect the money is fake – it’s better to lose a sale than accept counterfeit bills.
Trust Your Instincts
If anything about the transaction seems suspicious, sketchy, or too good to be true, don’t go through with it. Pay attention to any red flags including:
- The buyer insisting on meeting late at night or only in an isolated area
- They won’t provide their real name or any details about themselves
- Reluctance or strange excuses when you ask to meet in a public place
- Requests to pay with cashier’s check or money order instead of cash
- Anything else that gives you a bad or uneasy feeling
Your personal safety is the top priority. Never feel bad for backing out of a sale if you get any sense that things aren’t right.
Use Caution When Buying
The same safety tips apply if you are the buyer instead of the seller. When purchasing goods on Facebook Marketplace:
- Agree to meet in a safe public area and bring a friend if possible
- Don’t go to the seller’s home or invite them directly to your home
- Inspect the item carefully before paying to ensure it’s in the stated condition
- Only pay once you have the product securely in your possession
- Use PayPal or another secure digital payment method when possible
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash – bring only what you need for the item
Create a Paper Trail
No matter what payment method you use, create some sort of paper trail documenting the transaction. This provides proof and protects both the buyer and seller if any conflicts arise. Options include:
- Save all Facebook messages between you and the buyer
- Get a signed receipt with buyer/seller names, item details, date, price paid etc.
- Take photos of the buyer, their ID, and the serial numbers on the item being sold
- Save screenshots confirming digital payment receipts from PayPal, Venmo etc.
Only Use Facebook Approved Payment Methods
Facebook Marketplace does not directly handle payments, but they do prohibit certain types of transactions. According to their commerce policies, buyers and sellers should only use the following payment methods:
- Cash
- Credit or debit card payments processed through Facebook Pay
- PayPal invoice or goods and services payments
- Facebook-provided shipping labels
Payment types that are against Facebook policy include wire transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, and most forms of cryptocurrency. Avoid using these questionable methods to reduce fraud or scam risks.
How to Accept Safe Digital Payments
For those who prefer not to handle cash, digital payments like PayPal and Venmo can be safer options. Here are some tips for securely accepting digital payments on Facebook Marketplace sales:
PayPal
- Only accept “goods and services” PayPal payments which are protected by their purchase protection program.
- Never take PayPal “friends and family” payments which have no buyer protection.
- Confirm the payment is in your PayPal account before handing over the item.
- Keep digital receipts and shipping information.
Venmo
- Have the buyer send you the money first before meeting up or shipping.
- Make sure the Venmo account matches the buyer’s real identity.
- Transfer the Venmo balance to your bank account right away.
- Keep receipts showing the payment details.
Facebook Pay
- Only accept card payments through the official Facebook Pay platform.
- Enter the payment amount requested and do not accept overpayments.
- Wait for the charge to complete fully before providing the item.
- Keep digital receipts showing the successful Facebook Pay transaction.
Apple Pay / Google Pay
- Have the buyer send payment using their mobile wallet app in front of you.
- Watch their phone screen to verify the payment went through successfully.
- Transfer the funds to your bank account right away.
- Snap a photo or take a screenshot of the payment details.
Following these best practices when accepting digital payments will help protect you from non-payment or fraud.
How to Spot Payment Scams
Unfortunately, there are dishonest buyers out there looking to scam sellers. Be very cautious of the following situations which are likely payment scams:
- Buyer sends payment for more than the asking price and asks you to wire back the difference
- Buyer immediately offers to pay your full asking price without negotiating or seeing the item
- Payment is sent from a different name, email, or account than the Facebook buyer
- Buyer says payment will be sent later by their “shipping agent” or other third party
- Money order, cashier’s check, or other non-secure payment method is suggested
If anything seems suspicious, trust your gut. Politely cancel the transaction and report the buyer to Facebook before you ship anything or provide personal information.
Only Accept Payment in Approved Currencies
When agreeing on a price and receiving payment, it’s safest to only accept payment in approved government-backed currencies. According to Facebook’s commerce policies, acceptable currencies include:
- U.S. dollars
- Euros
- Pounds
- Australian dollars
- Canadian dollars
- Swiss francs
- Hong Kong dollars
- New Zealand dollars
- Singapore dollars
Do not accept payment in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, virtual currencies, gift cards, or foreign cash you aren’t familiar with. This helps avoid high fraud risk and ensures you receive legal tender you can actually use.
Get Payment Before Releasing the Item
One of the most important rules of safely getting paid for Marketplace items is to secure payment first before handing over the goods. Never give the item to the buyer until you have received and confirmed their payment by:
- Counting cash thoroughly yourself
- Waiting for digital payments to fully process
- Checking that checks or money orders are valid and non-fraudulent
Once payment is validated, then and only then should you officially transfer the goods into the buyer’s possession. Releasing items prematurely risks never getting paid at all.
How to Handle Issues or Disputes
Despite best precautions, problems can still occasionally arise during Facebook Marketplace transactions. Here are some tips if payment issues or disputes come up:
- Remain civil and never threaten or insult the other party
- Have your documentation ready including messages, receipts, photos etc.
- Clearly explain what outcome or resolution you are seeking
- For payment issues, promptly notify Facebook and/or digital payment providers
- As last resort, consider small claims court for amounts under limits
- Report truly fraudulent buyers to the police and consumer protection agencies
By keeping your cool and relying on facts over emotions, you have the best chance of resolving any difficult situations.
Conclusion
Facebook Marketplace can be a profitable way to buy and sell goods locally. However, you should take certain precautions when exchanging money to stay safe and avoid scams. Insist on meeting in public places, bringing a friend, and requesting payment upfront before handing over items. Stick to secure digital payment methods if preferred over cash. Trust your instincts, create a paper trail, and never release items until payment is validated. If issues arise, stay calm and use documentation to resolve matters. By following these tips, you can confidently use Facebook Marketplace to safely earn extra cash.