Is this a scam?

[SnuffyAndBigBird]

I’ve listed something large on a classified website. Think large furniture item. It’s also quite expensive.

Someone about 2 hours away is saying they’ll send a van for it.

Surely you’d want to look at it first? I can’t open the persons user name to see reviews or purchasing history.

Scam

Yes it's a scam. Don't touch it with a bargepole

Have they paid first?
will they expect you to load it for them

Not necessarily, my partner does this sometimes if he wants to get a large item that's nowhere near us.

But if it's expensive beware - assume it is a scam until they can prove otherwise - can you talk to them on the phone? Do check history if you can.

Insist on cash on collection and then you will know. To be fair lots of antiques dealers will see something online and snap it up without a second thought - unless it’s an Ikea unit in which case would seem odd!

can you screenshot the message? You're perfectly entitled to say no either way though, if you've advertised it as collection only.

How does this type of scam unfold?

Not necessarily. My brother listed a large unit on FB. Man in a van came, hired by the buyer, paid cash. Absolutely no problems.

Usually by paying you by PayPal or bank transfer or something that then gets reversed after they have the item. But obviously this isn't necessarily related to the method of collection, just a flag that they may suggest being more "hands off".

Normally when it's a scam they say they're going to pay for DPD or something to collect it and then will end up asking you to pay for the delivery because it won't let them and that they'll transfer you for the item and delivery, but they'll send you a link to a scam website x

There can be a couple of fb scams:

The scammer tells you they’ll send a courier to collect the item

In this instance, the scammer will pretend to be a buyer interested in your item. They’ll tell you they can’t come in person to collect it, so will send a courier with a company such as DPD in their stead. They may even send you a link to a fake website or an inauthentic email.

The scammer will then ask you to pay for insurance for the safe delivery of the item. After you’ve entered your card details or made a payment, they’ll disappear.

Fake payment confirmations

Some scammers send fake emails that look like they’re from PayPal or other payment services, confirming that they’ve paid for the item you’re selling. In reality, no transfer has been made. Always double-check your account to confirm the money has actually been sent before handing over goods.

So if you do agree to it you ask for cash on collection rather than PayPal or other online payment.

Only do it for cash on collection, if they arrive and say they want to do Paypal after all or some other method say no. If they do Paypal they will then say they never got the item and reclaim from Paypal who will reverse the transaction. And if it's a lot of money check the bank notes sometimes people use forgeries for scams.

Ok, great advice thx