Facebook marketplace never used to be this bad?

[totallybonafido]

I've had a clear out today and put several items on FB marketplace. I've had lots of messages already, and they're all scammers! They all want to pay by PayPal and sent their cousin to pick it up, or they'll send a DPD driver. Are there no legit buyers on there anymore? I've used it in the past and there was the odd dodgy character but it seems to be everyone now.

Oh I hear you! You get all excited thinking you've got a sale but then come the ridiculous demands that instantly give them away as scammers.

That said, I've had three seemingly legit people this week muck me about too. You know the ones.... they agree a price and a collection day and time and then suddenly remember they don't actually have any money 🙄

There are still geniune buyers, I've had one collect something today, but they are definitely in the minority. My biggest problem with Facebook Marketplace is that it seems responsible for a huge increase in missing people and serious accidents.*

So many buyers who disappear on their way to collect an item, or suffer a serious medical emergency / multiple deaths within the family which prevents them from collecting my items.

You have my sympathy though, selling on there is a nightmare. More than once i've taken items to the charity shop because even giving them away for free is too much like hard work.

*This is a joke

@Whinge 😂

Yanbu, I cant bloody stand it. And time wasters too

is this available?

Yes it is still available

<other person vanishes>

I used to whack stuff up and would quite quickly get a buyer who would pop over to collect.

Now nearly every enquiry says "will you post?"

I can't be arsed to post. That was the joy and ease of FB.

Lots of attempted scams too!

try looking for a car or quad bike most of the items don't exist or they say will deliver for £100 pounds ( for an item that needs van or special trailer) without having found out where you live. I wouldn't sell a vehicle or phone that way, if willing to post I say I will send a paypal invoice and use tracked postage

Yep, same. DH (who has dyslexia and is completely tech-useless despite years of me trying to teach him) clicked a fucking link one sent him yesterday - he's trying to sell a motor bike. The utter idiot put his Facebook details into it and promptly lost access to his Facebook account. Took me hours of going round in circles yesterday to wrestle back control and kick the scammer off.

I then reported the scam account and apparently it's not breaking any Fb rules.

Marketplace is actually worse than Gumtree these days. The volume of scam / fake adverts for cars is breathtaking.

This is just as bad on frecycle, offering IKEA boxes which are very sturdy,
packing boxes, packing materials, (used but clean) bubble wrap, etc.,
you would not credit the questions! one girl wanted me to send her photographs and measurements, then couple I thought seemed regular came after we had
spent an age flattening them, rushed into the hall, ‘grabbed’ as many as they could, rushed out, not a thank you after we had waited in for them, supposed to be here
at 1pm, couldnt put them outside because of the rain.

Two conclusions -
1 - that isnt it amazing how we couldn’t get boxes for love nor money when
we moved here ( in a hurry, had to be packed and out in 2 weeks, unexpectedly)
ordered boxes from Amazon, opened them to discover they were build your own shoeboxes ?! very stressful time,
saved by the removal firm appearing with used boxes, he didnt want back

once we started buying new kitchen stuff, had pristine boxes to pass on,
like you OP, we guessed people just change their minds and don’t show.

2 - I would never do this again, into the recycling they will go !

You are not alone in your vexations, don’t be taking it personally

I’ve used it successfully to sell kids toys.

I agree OP. People are rude and entitled.
I put a coat up for sale. Person messaged to ask if they could pop round to try it on. I replied saying I'd be out at work at the time I suggested but they'd be welcome to come after I got home, stating the time.
Got an abrupt message that evening saying I came round to try the coat but you were out. They said they didn't have time to hang about for me. I couldn't resist replying, reminding them that I'd been AT WORK and had told them I'd be OUT at the time they'd suggested. Took the coat to a charity shop instead.
Makes you wonder about the COL crisis. Would've thought people would jump at the chance of an almost new coat for £10!

I think this happens with all platforms eventually.

I bought my first item from vinted last week. I managed a deal and its quite a nice item but certainly hasn't been "worn once" and needed a damn good wash. After cleaning its come up OK so I'm not completely disappointed. However the seller, who seemed very genuine "clearing out my wardrobe" when you look now at all the items for sale they vary from a size 6 to 22 and shoes are very different sizes. This isn't one persons wardrobe. Why do people have to lie?

Not a great start to Vinted.

The best around here is freecycle!

I still use it but cash and collection only
1 chance at collection and never put myself out literally if I was in anyway that’s when they can collect

They all want to pay by PayPal and sent their cousin to pick it up, or they'll send a DPD driver.

Are you sure these are scams? This was me recently - I wanted a triple pram, not the easiest thing to find used, and indeed offered to pre-pay and send a courier. Was happy to show I was legitimate. No takers. Really frustrating.

I have this or people want me to post an item I've said is collection only.

State cash on collection

Block anybody that asks for anything other than that

How can you say that this happens to 'all platforms' when you've only bought ONE item off vinted?
I've been buying for a couple of years now, no problems, but I vet sellers carefully. So things of a similar size and style, read reviews, etc.

Regarding FB marketplace OP it's always been dodgy, but it depends on what you put on there. I think electrical items , furniture etc attracts chancers.

I got most my wedding items of Vinted and FB marketplace, they're all great, cost me a fraction of the price and lightly used.

It's hard to make money off these things when you count the time you've spend answering queries etc. I don't know how as a seller you can filter on FB marketplace though as PP said cash on collection only.

It doesn't matter what you write, nothing stops the spammy and scammy messages.

If you put collection only - They'll ask for postage or delivery
If you say cash on collection - They'll ask to pay by paypal or bank transfer
If you say no offers - They'll make an offer.

I'm having a mare with this too so many timewasters and 'can you deliver hun?' the massive sofa you are giving away errr no because I'm not dfs. I'm going to get the large item collection from the council to come for it I'm so sick of the planks

Yes, these are classic scam features. Unfortunately whilst you're legit, 99% of people offering to send a courier are not.

I tried to sell a pair of wedge heel sandals on marketplace and put one picture of my feet wearing them to show what they looked like on. Absolutely inundated with creepy men asking me to sweat in them and stuff. I did try to see if I could get them to pay me £££ for wearing them in hot weather for a few days and sending them, but turns out they were all creepy cheapskates

Oh I hate using it Had something on for collection only and £40. A buyer said they’ll give us £20 but want us to deliver it 30 miles away 😂

Tbh dh sold something other week. It was on for about half hour before someone said they’ll give us £350 for it. Was a big collection of games consoles and games dh had in loft for years. Guy turned up next day and took all so all good there.

It’s so frustrating. I have something up for sale at the moment and I am constantly receiving messages asking if they can send a courier as they live too far away despite me putting cash on collection only on the ad.

I bought two leather reclining chairs on FB the other week for a snip! Paid a small deposit to secure them until the weekend when I could collect, turned up on time, loaded up and now my son and I can pretend we're Joey and Chandler from Friends 😃

Apparently I'm an FB marketplace unicorn.

Dreading trying to sell the sofa they're replacing though...

I have the opposite issue . I'm trying to buy something and seller not responding despite a couple of very clear that I'm interested messages . I've given up now .