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Dealing with people on Facebook Marketplace driving me nuts!

68 replies

CitationNeeded · 19/09/2026 18:57

We are moving- two houses into one too- so selling and giving away lots of stuff. I want to avoid landfill, want stuff to be used etc.

But god trying to get rid of stuff on marketplace is driving me insane! People say they want something, arrange to pick it up and don’t turn up. Especially free stuff!

And three people have asked me if a piece of furniture would fit in their car! I mean surely it depends on the car, and even if you tell me the car- the measurements are on the listing! How can I judge whether it will fit in a Honda Jazz?

OP posts:
ItsmeMargo · 19/09/2026 19:07

OP, I feel your pain.

I put some items up on our local residents FB page for free. One went to a local person immediately, no problem. Two other items… I’d given the dimensions on the post. One of them was rather long. They turned up in a teeny tiny car, then they walked around the item - in our hallway - harrumphing and sighing. they took the small item, but would have to return for the other.

Contacted me the next day to say that they would have to take it apart. Fine. They turned up, without tools. Stood looking at me like a pair of lemons. To be fair, I managed to rip it apart quite easily because I was so angry. There were a lot of extras that went with it: I walked out to their car with them, as they said: no, we don’t want those. And drove off. Items that were useless without the original item. That ended up at the tip.

FunPreventionOfficer · 19/09/2026 19:19

I got this message in relation to a polo shirt I was selling, weirdo

Dealing with people on Facebook Marketplace driving me nuts!
theneighbourgotmycake · 19/09/2026 19:24

I never bother with free stuff, you only attract CF
unless it's someone collecting for charity.

It's often worth asking on a public group if someone collecting for charity/ women refuge etc.. would be interested, rather than go on market place

When it's small enough, leaving it outside saves you headaches.

My neighbours have done garage sales, advertised everywhere locally.
They were moving so didn't care if people had a look at the property, kept it outside and garage.

CitationNeeded · 19/09/2026 19:32

FunPreventionOfficer · 19/09/2026 19:19

I got this message in relation to a polo shirt I was selling, weirdo

😂😂

OP posts:
SleepingisanArt · 19/09/2026 19:36

I'm (not actively) still waiting for someone to come to collect something. Initial contact last weekend, then silence. Then sorry I put my back out but I'll come on Tuesday. Didn't. Today is Saturday and I still have the item (still listed as available) and not heard a peep from the buyer. Manners are sorely lacking these days. Fortunately having had a massive clear out a few years back I only have a few things (mostly inherited) that I'm putting on marketplace and/or ebay.

ForRedPoet · 19/09/2026 19:38

Yup YANBU.
Given up giving things away to CF on FB.

BishBashBoshDumpling · 19/09/2026 19:40

This is why I just got a skip at the start of 2026.

All sorted by Monday. Job done.

TroysMammy · 19/09/2026 19:45

I must be lucky. The people who wanted to buy things I was selling turned up and paid the price I advertised them for. One lady did ask for the measurements of a peacock chair I was selling but I also said I once transported it in a Chevrolet Matiz. As her car was bigger than a Matiz she was fine. I did combined selling it to her with an overdue shopping trip to an out of town shopping park.

jiffypipe · 19/09/2026 19:46

I refuse to do it anymore. It makes me completely despair at the state of humanity.

CitationNeeded · 19/09/2026 19:46

TroysMammy · 19/09/2026 19:45

I must be lucky. The people who wanted to buy things I was selling turned up and paid the price I advertised them for. One lady did ask for the measurements of a peacock chair I was selling but I also said I once transported it in a Chevrolet Matiz. As her car was bigger than a Matiz she was fine. I did combined selling it to her with an overdue shopping trip to an out of town shopping park.

I suppose my point is I don’t know how big the back of a Honda jazz is. Surely you have to measure the car space?

Someone asked if something would fit in a hatchback- not even make and model!

OP posts:
CitationNeeded · 19/09/2026 19:47

It’s probably cos I am selling quite a bit. I have sold stuff no issue. But I’m currently on the third person to offer a single bed to. The last two have arranged to buy and then just ghosted me.

OP posts:
Newname26 · 19/09/2026 19:49

I never give stuff away on marketplace.
If im giving it away I either put it on the local FB page or charity shop it.

Even if you put it on for a fiver it cuts the timewasters

YoungSoak · 19/09/2026 19:50

FunPreventionOfficer · 19/09/2026 19:19

I got this message in relation to a polo shirt I was selling, weirdo

Hands off ladies, he’s mine

thatwasclose · 19/09/2026 19:53

I started reading this thread then had to check your name as I thought I had written it and forgotten!
I am in EXACTLY the same position. Right down to a woman asking me if a single bed would fit in her car!!! And you are right it’s a friggin’ nightmare. I have found charging a small amount seems to work. People seem to think free = can waste your time.

So if the woman who wanted the free CD rack is on here, I’ve blocked you for time wasting. 😖

Ineedanewsofa · 19/09/2026 19:56

The only stuff that doesn’t attract weirdos, pisstakers and people who think you are a shop/retail outlet is Ikea Kallax units.
Nothing else is worth the hassle of Marketplace IMO

TigerDroveAgain · 19/09/2026 19:57

It’s the stupid lies: instead of saying ‘I’ve changed my mind’ about a dreary bit of furniture they have to say ‘I’d still like it but can’t take it as my DC has just got cancer’. Yeah, right !

Slightyamusedandsilly · 19/09/2026 20:01

I never ever deliver since once I drove quite a way to drop off and they were out. And asked me to come back later!

Now, I say not to ask for delivery because I don't have a car. And they get 1/2 an hour after pick up time or I don't answer the door.

Thesearenotthedroidsyouarelookingfor · 19/09/2026 20:02

My best message was some guy asking if I would exchange an item for a tattoo (would also require me to drive an hour away to deliver item and get said tattoo).

I don’t list anything for free anymore as that just attracts absolute idiots and time wasters.

CitationNeeded · 19/09/2026 20:03

Slightyamusedandsilly · 19/09/2026 20:01

I never ever deliver since once I drove quite a way to drop off and they were out. And asked me to come back later!

Now, I say not to ask for delivery because I don't have a car. And they get 1/2 an hour after pick up time or I don't answer the door.

Someone made me an “offer” to pay what I was listing the item for with the extra that I deliver it over 20 miles away 😂. I declined!

OP posts:
MoonChild111 · 19/09/2026 20:04

FunPreventionOfficer · 19/09/2026 19:19

I got this message in relation to a polo shirt I was selling, weirdo

😂😂😂😂

MoonChild111 · 19/09/2026 20:06

YoungSoak · 19/09/2026 19:50

Hands off ladies, he’s mine

😂😂😂

Bemorebeth · 19/09/2026 20:06

I once tried to sell a racing car bed which my son grew out of. The seller asked if she could carry it home on the train. Given the long edges were over 6ft I advised probably not and she had a go at me for living so far away from her. Unbelievable.

Thesearenotthedroidsyouarelookingfor · 19/09/2026 20:09

“I’ll have it today if you deliver it” don’t bother to respond (no manners and already said can’t deliver on posting)

a few hours later “I’ll take that as a no then” followed by “Your loss would have paid full asking”

I got full asking and they collected and were polite and pleasant in their messages.

Thesearenotthedroidsyouarelookingfor · 19/09/2026 20:12

Bemorebeth · 19/09/2026 20:06

I once tried to sell a racing car bed which my son grew out of. The seller asked if she could carry it home on the train. Given the long edges were over 6ft I advised probably not and she had a go at me for living so far away from her. Unbelievable.

Reminds me of the person who asked if I would deliver a pram as she doesn’t drive. I said no and promptly offered it to the next person.

First person was fuming and said “I would have got a lift to collect it” well maybe do that in the first place 🙄

Veraandacupoftea · 19/09/2026 20:13

My biggest issue with it is people asking for something, not turning up at allotted time, then messaging to say that have been in hospital.

in fact it happens so often that I think I should be including a warning on my posts.
warning : arranging collection can cause serious illness 😆

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