Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is this a Facebook marketplace scam?

27 replies

PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 06:39

I’m looking to buy an electric piano. There’s a couple of items being sold that looks like the photos are taken in different places. Eg a few photos of the piano but one is in a room with carpet, another with a wooden floor, another with a different type of stand, another with a different kind of lighting. What’s this about? Surely if you were selling it, you’d just take your photos all in one go and not move it around loads of places. Two of the sellers also appear to sell loads of rattan garden furniture. Item is cheaper than expected too. What’s going on?

OP posts:
Giveitall · 07/05/2022 06:43

Caveat emptor.
Your choice to risk buying or not.
If your gut says No, listen to it.

ABlindAssassin · 07/05/2022 06:43

I bought a piano on ebay. I arranged to go and view it first and try it out. Is that an option for you?

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 06:47

Yeah I’ll go an have a look at anything first. It’s just really weird and I can figure out what’s going on. There’s another one for sale but it’s much more expensive. It has normal photos tho, clearly all just taken at the same time.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Music
Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 06:47

I don’t know what caveat emptor means

OP posts:
sorrynotathome · 07/05/2022 06:50

PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 06:47

I don’t know what caveat emptor means

Buyer beware.

TriciaMcMillan · 07/05/2022 06:51

Caveat emptor - buyer beware.

Lampan · 07/05/2022 06:57

Do an image search of the photos. That will tell you if the seller has just gathered pictures from the internet and probably doesn’t have the item. But if it seems dodgy I’d just avoid

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 06:59

That’s a great idea about image search. And thanks PP for your Latin translation. I will obvs go and see anything but I’m just wondering why they would do this. Because surely anyone would go and see something first if it’s on marketplace. It’s not like I want them to post it for me.

OP posts:
Lampan · 07/05/2022 07:29

If it’s a scam there may also be a courier scam involved, in which they’d offer to ship it to you (look up courier scams, very common)

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 07:38

Thanks, I’ll keep a mind out for courier scams. Can’t seem to do a Google image search. Think I need to download app first.

OP posts:
Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 07:46

None of the images come up exactly on image search. Love reverse search tho! I’ve always wondered how to do it.

OP posts:
Antarcticant · 07/05/2022 07:52

If they ask you for money or personal details in advance, for any reason, it is a scam.

If complexities are introduced into the buying process, it is a scam.

If you are pressured into buying quickly (other buyers interested or vendor has a 'sob story' ) it is a scam.

rattlemehearties · 07/05/2022 07:55

Often pianos are given away free as long as you collect so keep looking! Maybe post a "wanted" post as well

IcedOatLatte · 07/05/2022 07:57

If you can go and see it and test it why does it matter where the photos were taken?

How are they going to scam you if you are actually there with them and a working piano? I assume you aren't silly enough to leave the money and go back later to collect something that may or may not be the same thing

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 07:59

No, I wouldn’t do anything of the things mentioned above. But I’m sure most people wouldn’t either. Which is why I was wondering if I’m missing something. And it does matter where the photos are taken. If something is second hand I want to see the actual item. Not a random hodge podge of photos.

thanks PP for the list, it’s a good reminder.

OP posts:
IcedOatLatte · 07/05/2022 08:07

PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 07:59

No, I wouldn’t do anything of the things mentioned above. But I’m sure most people wouldn’t either. Which is why I was wondering if I’m missing something. And it does matter where the photos are taken. If something is second hand I want to see the actual item. Not a random hodge podge of photos.

thanks PP for the list, it’s a good reminder.

Maybe I misunderstood, are you thinking that the photos are of a different piano to the one being sold?

What does the seller say about it, if they are happy for you to view then you confirm that it's the actual piano before you go

Sorry to state the obvious but unless it"s miles away why wouldn't you just go and see it?

MrsJamin · 07/05/2022 08:18

You can tell a lot by looking at the seller's Facebook profile. I see so many sellers selling things in different locations, many that seem very cheap and look new and weirdly loads of prices of £73!

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 08:36

It’s £73!!! Why is that? I just don’t get it. Surely fb marketplace is just for people who go and collect stuff anyway. So why would they bother trying to scam like that. That’s why I’m wondering what the catch is. If they ask to send it to me I’ll just say no. So it doesn’t make sense.

OP posts:
Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 08:37

Maybe I misunderstood, are you thinking that the photos are of a different piano to the one being sold? Yes but not just a different piano, loads of different pianos on the same listing.

OP posts:
Summerholidayorcovidagain · 07/05/2022 08:41

Are you sure it isn't a charity place? Our local shop uses Gumtree and has a huge list of items under 1 ad...

IcedOatLatte · 07/05/2022 08:57

PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 08:36

It’s £73!!! Why is that? I just don’t get it. Surely fb marketplace is just for people who go and collect stuff anyway. So why would they bother trying to scam like that. That’s why I’m wondering what the catch is. If they ask to send it to me I’ll just say no. So it doesn’t make sense.

Now I'm intrigued and can see the listings, I agree selling eveything for £73 is weird, the person looks to be maybe some kind of seller of stuff bought from auctions or clearances who doesn't have any other number keys Grin

Do go and see and report back

BorisJohnsonsHair · 07/05/2022 09:01

When I sold my car, I included a few of pics if it that I already had, as well as taking new ones. So they had different backgrounds etc. Could it be this?

thekaratekid · 07/05/2022 09:13

I've noticed the £73 scam as well! What is that all about? As the OP said it is usually rattan garden furniture, but I've also noticed it on things like garden sheds and stuff as well. The profiles of the sellers look like your regular Facebook user...so I don't get it at all. Assume it must be some sort of money transfer or courier scam. However, the price of the items is so low that it immediately flags as suspicious in my mind.

Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 09:33

I hope they respond to my messages now! I’ll let you know what they say if they do. There’s also a couple for £75.

OP posts:
Original poster
PlantingTrees · 07/05/2022 18:06

Update: it’s total bullshit. The woman messaged back and said the photos are all different because she’s opening a new online store. And the piano is cheap because they’re wanting to promote their new online store. She’ll send me details and a link to her website and I can place an order through Alipay. Free shipping. Don’t even know what Alipay is.

oh well, the hunt for a new electric piano continues.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread