How to keep safe while buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace.
With millions of Facebook users within Canada, it’s no surprise that Canadians have shied away from conventional buy and sell methods like yard sales and markets and transitioned from the once popular Kijiji to Facebook Marketplace. Facebook Marketplace has simplified the buying and selling process. For sellers, it’s as simple as taking a photo of the item you’d like to sell, upload it, give a description, and select your prices. Any messages regarding your items will all go to the same place, Facebook Messenger. From there, it’s the seller’s choice how they receive payment, and how the item gets to the buyer. For the buyers, it’s as simple as typing what you’re looking for into the search bar and select the item you like. If by chance you don’t find what you’re looking for, Facebook will continue to give you suggestions on your main page that relate to your original search. It’s a great place to find unique items that are cost friendly.
While everything seems straightforward, there are risks when it comes to buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace. There are many out there that have fallen victim to buying and selling scams, losing money in the process. Below are some precautions that should be taken to protect yourself.
- Check the seller’s profile – Before making a purchase, check the seller’s Facebook profile to see it it’s legitimate. Look for signs that it’s a real person, friends, photos, and posts that date back more than a few days. If the profile is new, no friends and no activity, there is a higher likelihood of it being a fake account.
- Do not pay in advance – This is one of the biggest mistakes people make. They make payments in advance before receiving the item. If the seller is pushing for you to pay in full, or make a deposit to hold the item, there is a chance the seller could then take your money and ghost you. If this happens, you most likely will not get that money back.
- Beware of low prices – If the price of an item is significantly lower than market value, it could be a red flag. Scammers will often try to lure buyers in with a lower-than-normal price to make a quick sale. In this case, the product may not work, may be stolen goods, or when it comes to brand names, it could be a knock off.
- Inspect the item – Before paying the seller, ensure the item you are purchasing is in the promised condition. If possible, test to ensure it works properly. If the seller refuses to let you test the item, or tries to convince you otherwise, that is a sign the item may not be in the promised condition, and they are trying to scam you.
- Safety first – When meeting with a buyer or seller, it’s important to choose a public space with lots of people around. If possible, do not go alone. Do not invite them to your home.
- Buy local – Avoid buying or selling from a location where an item may have to be shipped. Sellers could ask for payment before shipping the item, and then disappear without sending the item. Or on the flip side, the buyer could ask you to ship the item with the promise of payment when they receive the item, and then disappear without ever paying you.
When it comes to buying and selling on Facebook Marketplace, the most important thing is to trust your instincts. If something feels too good to be true, it probably is. To avoid finding yourself in debt from scams, keep the above in mind when buying and selling.
If you are looking for advice, or a second opinion about your debt, it does not cost anything to talk about your options. Every financial situation is unique and viable options can differ from person to person. A conversation free of judgment and cost, is the first step to determine options for debt that make sense for you. For a free consultation, please call or text (506) 645-1814 or email jaime@tackledebt.ca; or visit www.tackledebt.ca.