First time selling on FB marketplace

[Marketplacevirgin]

Hi I've just advertised an item on FB MP.
I've read lots of bad experiences about using the platform so just wanted some advice.

Very quickly after my item went live, someone contacted me and asked to negotiate price & for my postcode.

I said no negotiation & didn't give postcode.

She messaged back a few hours later and said could she pay now and collect in about a week.
She lives about 2 hours away.
The item is not rare or a bargain particularly so I'm surprised she'd want to travel that far but 🤷🏼‍♀️

Is there anything I should be aware of or look out for in terms of scams. Do I have to tell her my address now? (The advert gives first half of postcode so the area is clear).

Delete her now. I’ve had lots of this, and it’s put me off. After this one thing that’s for sale has gone, I’m giving stuff away in future,

She may be genuine, I've got no idea.
Is it ok to refuse to sell to people?

Yes of course, you can refuse who you like. I've found FB marketplace absolutely rubbish the last few years .... it's literally just scammers messaging me now, this guide is useful OP. When we moved house back in 2018 we sold absolutely tons. And fast too! Now it's just full of adverts and chancers mostly.

www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/fraud-and-scams/facebook-marketplace-scams-to-watch-out-for#:~:text=In%20this%20instance%2C%20the%20scammer,website%20or%20an%20inauthentic%20email.

My mum sold something with no problems on Facebook Marketplace, however the item was boxed and unused and a very obvious bargain. You could speak to the person however don't give bank details and insist on cash. If it becomes any sort of hassle make your excuses.

Tell her cash on collection only. Don’t give her any personal detail. Tell her you will keep the item for sale. If it’s still avail when she’s ready to collect then she can come and get it that day.
it sounds like she’s a scammer though tbh

Thanks for that guide @ohsoverrrrytired I'll have a read.

@Rustycheeks that's really helpful advice thanks.

I say cash only, no delivery. I tell them what area I’m in, only give the address on the morning/afternoon of collection.

Only take cash on collection, don't take the listing down until it's been collected, don't give your full address until they've agreed a time to collect, i.e. give postcode or street name and confirm the house number once it's all been firmed up.

Scammer. No one wants to pay now and collect later. I always look at their Facebook profile to check they are fairly local. Just delete her, not worth the hassle, there'll be a scam in there somewhere.
Then when you've got a buyer, give postcode then full address 30 mins before they are due to arrive - they can set nav to the general area then come when they get full address.
Cash only,
Collection only.

I'd never use Facebook Marketplace for all the reasons cited in the Times article kindly linked up thread. I've had variations on all those for good items at reasonable prices for a genuinely interested person.

when you get "is this item still available?" two dozen times, and they want to send their husband's brother NDN round or want to pay for a courier to collect the item because they're too busy at work etc etc, you know you're wasting your time on there.

I can recommend Gumtree

• you can rate each person so they build up a history. Yes they can do a few good transactions, build their history and then scam, however that's less likely.
• anyone with zero history, I avoid. They tend to be the "is this still available?" Type - they're basically set up a profile, blanket-message hundreds of people and then homing in on a few they think will fall for their scam. They regularly create a new profile to dodge getting caught, hence zero history.
• if someone wastes my time, I block them so they don't waste my time on a different item. Someone arranged to come round, didn't show, disappearing act so I blocked them and reported them to Gumtree (their profile had several No Shows reported, which is when I started looking at profiles.) I also downrated them on their profile.
• Gumtree has got a lot better at controlling scammers, unlike Fb that does absolutely zero and I don't have time to report hundreds of scammers, it's like wakamole!

When I sell on there, I say cash only
I do haggle, but build that wiggle room into my initial price
No holds, no delivery, to returns

I think there's a PayPal scam that's common on FB marketplace so I always insist on cash.

I don't like giving out my house address so usually say "meet in Sainsbury's carpark near the petrol station, I'll be in a red Kia". Has worked well so far. But then I've been selling kids' old toys, not a sofa or washing machine!