Facebook Marketplace

[Tipstery]

Never used it but the more people tell me about their experiences, the more I conclude it just attracts loons, timewasters, and hassle. AIBU?

Apart from some time-wastery messages, I've always had people turn up, be polite, and not take the piss. I don't list loads of stuff and I'm not in a big city, which probably helps a bit.

You can usually get a bit of an idea by the messages if they're engaging or not.

And in return I always message politely and turn up when I say I will!

I got a lovely framed print of a favourite painting of mine for a tenner. Local. I walked round, gave the woman £10 and walked off, happy with my print, which now hangs on the wall in my living room.
And then I bought a car, from a friend who I didn't know was selling hers, and there it was, on FB Marketplace.

Do it! I've bought the most amazing things on there - John Lewis sideboard, 70s vintage clocks, dfs sofas, next dining table.... All for a bargain. It's fab!

Good to hear some positive experiences! Maybe people tend to tell anecdotes about the horror stories because they’re more entertaining.

I used it a lot to both buy and sell. Never had an issue.

It's mostly ok, I've had some great bargains off there....if you're buying just be polite, don't use the automated 'is this still available' message, use their name and tell them exactly when you can collect the item.

I rarely sell as you never really know who you're gonna get

I used to sell quite a lot. I don’t buy anymore after buying something that stank of smoke. Tbf it wasn’t listed from a smoke free home, so no deception involved, I was just annoyed that I hadn’t realised the lack of that statement would mean the item would smell so bad.

The timewasters were fairly obvious - people saying they'd send a courier with cash to bring the pretty common item I was selling 100+ miles away (common scam), and someone who was obviously a car boot seller requesting everything I offered for free, but I've had a lot of good experiences both selling and buying.

I cleared my house with it when we moved abroad. Only had a couple of scammers trying to get my fridge freezer, everyone else was legit and paid and collected what they bought.

I've found it good for buying, but a nightmare for selling (far too many scammers and spammers). Its hard to sort out rhe legitimate replies from the fakes.

I've sold stuff on there and also brought stuff. Gorgeous leather armchairs for £10 each!!! The seller even delivered them for an extra tenner! ❤️

I buy and sell, never had a problem. You get the odd person telling you their family member will collect later today etc and wanting to pay now by PayPal but they are easy to spot as would-be scammers and you don’t engage.

I haven’t had any scammers recently and I used to get them on nearly every listing. I’ve sold loads of stuff and had very few issues.

Used it a lot when we were moving and had lots of "stuff" to get rid of.
Most people were absolutely fine with just a couple of no-shows or people wanting to negotiate on price while stood on the doorstep.
Easy enough to check out the scammers and/or time wasters, auto-messages can be a giveaway and a quick check of their profile usually resulted in them being blocked.

I mostly only buy things but have sold a few things as well. I mostly find the interactions with the other buyer of seller to be really positive and friendly. I tend to bur and sell antique furniture so maybe you get nicer people (like me 😅) with that.
I tell people when I say I want to buy something that I won’t haggle.
I bought a lot of incredibly cheap things as well, where people clearly just want to get rid of stuff.
Three of my kids have homes in the same town as me and there houses are almost all full of Facebook furniture (except for beds and sofas)

BTW I always check for fake notes and tell people who take cash off me to check it properly. People should check notes as a matter of course.

I seem to buy loads off FB Marketplace and have never had a problem. I like the interaction with sellers and make sure that I arrive at the agreed time.

When i put a large ticket item on, i got loads of scammers (sending my brother, he will collect and pay with paypal), but ive used it many times to sell smaller items, just dont entertain anyone who says they will buy it without seeing and send you money via PayPal. Always cash on delivery that you can check there and then.

I’d never use it. Facebook is a cesspit

I’ve bought and sold loads on FB marketplace

Although I have sold many items successfully on FBM, my first option is to offer the item on my local FB community group. It is amazing how much stuff is willingly bought by people in the local area.

Dont assume they have the same morals as you. Always show them an item working before they leave; so they cant message back later and say its broken.

I've sold quite a few things on there but, yes, there are a lot of people who mess you about. You have to just get quite thick skinned and ruthless about dropping them and not taking it personally.

My rule of thumb is that prospective sellers move the discussion about the item forward in a timely and constructive way; commit to a date/time they are picking up when asked (and turn up; they don't get a second chance unless they apologise profusely; I am not chasing them) and manage a basic level of politeness in their messages. That approach has weeded out the vast majority of people that just string me along and never commit.