Facebook marketplace

[HR313]

Is it just me or are some people relentless and don’t read the descriptions?

I’m trying to sell something but only want to post it. My main reason being is I’m fed up of waiting in for people who have said they will come and pick up x item only to never show up. This happened just a few days ago with another item im selling.

Anyway the item I’m selling I had someone say they are local and they will come and collect it now. I said no sorry I’m only posting. They then got a family member to message me saying it was ‘pointless’ me posting. It probably is but I’m sick of no shows to my house!! I’m selling so my rules surely? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve ignored the person and they’ve messaged again this evening saying they will come and collect it now. I’m no fraudster so would never not send anything! Just don’t know why people think they have every right to dictate what they are going to do when I’ve said no collection posting only. It’s really annoyed me - can you tell 😂

Whilst there's lots of issues with FB marketplace in this instance I think unfortunately the problem is you.

Most people tend to use marketplace to purchase items locally so telling someone that you're only open to posting it seems very odd. If you're sick of people wasting your time just agree for people to collect at times when your already planning on being at home so if they don't show up then it's not a big issue.

In all honesty if you want the item gone and you're at home which it seems like you are then what's the issue with this person coming this evening to collect it? It seems like you're martyring yourself a bit here?

Collection is the norm for Facebook marketplace. If you want to post it, use Vinted.

Thank you hadn’t thought of vinted. Will try that instead.

It’s nice to hear that you’re not a fraudster but how would you expect them to know / trust that?
It is the norm to collect in person from Facebook marketplace. Yes, you’re welcome to set out your own alternative terms BUT you can’t really expect everyone else to understand that or to not feel concerned about being scammed.

Do you want the person to bank transfer money to you and then wait for a package in the post? I would never do that if I were buying, and I think it is quite unreasonable to expect someone to do that to be honest

I’m hardly at home, I’m either at work or busy with two kids and don’t have time for people turning up on my doorstep when I’m cooking tea, or doing bath time/bed time routines. I don’t often come downstairs til gone 9.30pm. Last thing I want is someone knocking on the door.

In which case FB marketplace doesn't seem to be for you. There's plenty of other ways to sell stuff where postage is the norm such as vinted or EBay. You'd be better off using one of those sites than getting annoyed at people wanted to collect which is the default for marketplace.

Honestly, refusing to allow local collection; even when a person is local and willing to collect at a time convenient to you, just makes you look like a scammer. I know you're probably not, but it just seems dodgy.

I generally leave items outside and ask people to post money through the door. Saves engaging with people, waiting in etc. Works fine.

Use ebay for anything where you want to post. You will get a much wider audience and the buyer will usually pay immediately. Make sure you keep the receipt from the post office as proof of postage.

Posting out using Facebook Marketplace is asking to get scammed. Plus telling somebody local you will only post makes you look like a scammer yourself.

Thanks for the advice. I think I’ll try vinted for selling things from now on. Looks like the best option for me 😊

I didn't realise that fraudsters were generally considered honest enough to tell people they are out to scam people. 🤣 That makes my life easier when trying to decide if they're honest; I'll just ask them.

Anyway, one of the reasons I get things from Marketplace is that I can go round and pick it up. If I'm happy with posting, then I go to eBay or similar.

What experience have you had on ebay where you were not protected as a seller? I have sold probably hundreds of things and never had a problem.