Facebook marketplace scams ?

[rookiemere]

Hi so I put a ski jacket up for sale today, it's new and I've just changed my mind about it but didn't return it in time.
I put it on a local FB site but also added to marketplace.

Within minutes two posters had replied, one chasing me up within minutes when I hadn't replied.Both responses were word for word the same, neither of them lived in my hometown but claimed they did when I asked, and just seemed generally quite scammy.

I have blocked both of them and taken the item off marketplace and am now just advertising it locally, but does anyone know what they were hoping to do ? I thought maybe get my address for burglary or try and get the item without paying for it, or maybe they were totally genuine and I have lost a sale.

A lot just like wasting your time so ask loads of questions even if u put t in advert. Give silly offers, want u to deliver or want to send a courier for item. Drives my partner mad but he still uses it 😂

There’s an auto reply option which asks things like ‘Is this item still available?’ Might have been that?

I don't know what their aim is but I'm as sure as I can be that it's not coming round to burgke you 😀

I stopped selling on marketplace and just stick to local selling groups because of these scammers. They all ask same kind of questions and offer PayPal or bank transfer and someone else picking it up.

@Olika what is the scam do you think ?

What makes you think they don’t live in your hometown when they say they did?

What was the identical response?

@Shinyandnew1 both their FB profiles had them living somewhere else, and both responses were almost identical in sentences and follow up.

I suppose they pretend they sent the money (show you their proof though it's not showing on your account yet due to delay) and then pick up the product hoping the seller lets them have it. Or they do payment and claim refund later for not receiving the item or item being faulty.

Theres a courier one where they say they cant pick up in person but will send DPD with the cash, then send you a link to pay insurance on the cash which will be refunded when they get the item. The link sends you to sites that look like legit couriers, they arent and you lose the insurance payment, plus they now have your bank details.

Ah @reesewithoutaspoon that sounds like it might be the one, anyway it's just on the local FB site now, may end up not selling it now seems like a lot of hassle.

Its really common. Its almost like a script, they always message almost as soon as you put something up, they don't care what it is, that's immaterial.
If you check their profiles out they are usually fairly new, with no real info, no posts or interactions, just profile pics posted.
Another one is expensive items like kitchen aid stand mixers priced up at £49 or something ridiculously cheap.
Always check the sellers/buyers profile page out. They usually only recently joined and there is never anything other than a profile pic (probably stolen from another real user).

I used to dell a lot on marketplace, now it is all scams and people enquiring from the other side of the country etc. Last sell really put me off, as the buyer was very aggressive. Also had is it the thing on this link full of viruses and my friend can't afford maternity clothes so will you give them for free. I am not going to bother any more.

Ah well, I will leave it up on the local site and see if anyone is interested. It's weird because I sold a load of stuff a year ago with no problems. I wonder if it's the price point as the item is over £100. Maybe I need to put it on vinted but then I read about loads of issues on there as well.

I think that's what I avoided today. I had already blocked 2 scammers, and then a 3rd email = can I send a courier? For a £10 item - good fucking god = how can the time be worth it!

yeah, they are ridiculous. who pays courier fees for a £5 piece of tat. But I think they just spam every new posting and some people fall for it. I've stopped selling on there too now. It's mostly a waste of time as more scammers than genuine buyers.

Just ignore/block scammers.
I sell quite a lot on FB and its part of the process. I still think its worth it but you do have to develop a thick skin.
Just stick to cash on collection only and you will weed out scammers. Or use Gumtree or Ebay? VInted is full of people making silly offer so not ideal for a decent item maybe?

Hi being a bit lazy here as hoping for advice. My elderly parents are visiting London for a day. I would like ideas to entertain them. They will be staying in Marylebone. Mother cannot walk far, but Father would be interested in the Tate modern, China Town and the paintings you used to be able to buy at Hyde Park, also Camden markets or is that just weekends? Thank you in advance for your help. Mummy will be happy to stay in hotel if I do the further places with my Father. Recommendations as to where to go and how to get there please. They both went to uni in London many years ago. They are visiting on a Tues 18 June if that helps re exhibitions and what is open.

What exactly does this have to do with facebook scammers??

Nothing. I am new to posting, and was trying to start a new thread. Thank you for the welcome, you couldn't have been kinder.

You're doing the right thing sticking to local selling groups and cash on collection only. FB Marketplace is basically just a cesspit of scammers that FB seems particularly inept at stopping.

I may end up just keeping it, seems like too much effort otherwise!
Maybe Ebay would be ok.

It’s worth reporting the scammers each time

I’ve had loads recently. Exactly the same script - sister lives locally, will collect. Can they pay by paypal. I fell for it the first time - they ‘sent’ a payment via paypal - sent me a screenshot. It didn’t appear in ny account (surprise surprise( and I got an email saying that the payment was on hold and I had to pay £200 to release the payment. Errr…no!

i block anyone who now offers paypal and has an imaginagjnery family member who lives just down the road!

What about Vinted? I use it quite a lot and not had any issues