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Original poster

Have I been scammed? (Marketplace)

24 replies

ALonelyRoad · 24/11/2023 21:47

A few months ago I was far too trusting on marketplace and got scammed. It was a hard lesson but taught me that everyone isn’t as genuine as I am when selling (especially when there are soooo many red flags 🚩).

Anywho, last weekend I contacted someone selling an item on marketplace - an almost too good to be true price. Profile looks legit (not recently made and a few posts although I think privacy setting would mean I can’t see everything?). They were happy to post so I requested to use PayPal business so I’m protected. Seller gave me a friends PayPal as they don’t use it (ok, I know not everyone does). I sent the payment and then a few minutes later got a refund (confirmed by email from papal and on my PayPal history) and was asked to send the payment to said friend’s sister instead. As I had the refund, I agreed. I later messaged the seller to ask for proof of postage after she posts item and explained I’m more cautious after my last experience. She replied to say all ok and will keep me updated. Several days later and a few messages to chase up an expected postal date/proof of postage and NOTHING in response. I sent a message today expressing my concerns and to say that if I don’t have any communication I’m going to request a refund from PayPal…. The icon to show my message has been read is up but still no response from seller.

I’m now left wondering if this is another scam? I don’t want to loose out on the item by cancelling the transaction through PayPal if it is genuine but also struggling not to think I’ve been scammed AGAIN?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

OP posts:
sushiburger · 24/11/2023 22:42

That sounds well dodgy

Girlsjustwannahavefundamentalrights · 24/11/2023 22:44

Yeah it sounds like it.

LovelyBitOfSquirrrel · 24/11/2023 22:53

Deffo sounds like a scam

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 25/11/2023 05:21

Thanks all! At least this time I should be able to claim my money back since I used PayPal business transaction. I just can’t understand why seller would agree to this knowing I can just get a refund, if it was all a scam?!

OP posts:
Igmum · 25/11/2023 07:19

Sounds like a scam. Fingers crossed you get your money back.

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 25/11/2023 09:24

I've decided to bite the bullet and start the recovery process through PayPal. Apparently it should be resolved by 15th December so glad I haven't waited any longer!! I've submitted all of the screenshots of conversation with the seller, which are sent to them first to respond to (as it was supposedly a friends PayPal, I'm not sure what they can do?). Hopefully the payment will be easily recovered with my 'evidence' and I get it before the 15th! Still struggling to see how the scan works so any insight would be good! 🤔

OP posts:
Safariplease · 25/11/2023 09:26

Yes it’s a well known scam

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 25/11/2023 09:30

@Safariplease, not well known enough, at least by me! 🙈😭 How can they make money from it though, given PayPal business protects the buyers money, which is how I payed?

OP posts:
PlipPlopChoo · 25/11/2023 18:31

Anywho, last weekend I contacted someone selling an item on marketplace - an almost too good to be true price. Profile looks legit (not recently made and a few posts although I think privacy setting would mean I can’t see everything?). They were happy to post so I requested to use PayPal

Two warning signs there right away.

FML

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 26/11/2023 08:49

@PlipPlopChoo, rude much?! I post from Marketplace all the time and sell brand new things I haven't used for a fraction of the price just to get rid. I suppose that makes me a scammer too according to your logic?

OP posts:
CornishGem1975 · 26/11/2023 08:56

You have to be REALLY careful on Facebook because even when a profile looks legit, it's often a hacked profile. Happened on our local town FB group recently with a friend of mine. Her profile was hacked about a year ago and she lost her account but they just started popping up in groups that she had joined (allegedly) selling Taylor Swift tickets 🙄so looked completely legit as she'd been in the group for years. Luckily she spotted it and was able to repotr it.

Safariplease · 26/11/2023 09:39

ALonelyRoad · 25/11/2023 09:30

@Safariplease, not well known enough, at least by me! 🙈😭 How can they make money from it though, given PayPal business protects the buyers money, which is how I payed?

So the PayPal “your money was returned” is fake, so when you transfer, your money is no longer protected.

If you get all your money back, then fine, it’s just an odd situation. But it’s common on FB.

SpringIntoChaos · 26/11/2023 13:52

With respect and kindness OP (genuinely)...how did you not realise this was a scam? Those initial messages were so clearly 'scammy' I can't see how you didn't pick up on that. Again, kindly, please ask a trusted friend to check your transactions and all communication before doing any other business online. It really sounds like you are a little too naive/trusting to do so independently.

Girlsjustwannahavefundamentalrights · 26/11/2023 22:31

SpringIntoChaos · 26/11/2023 13:52

With respect and kindness OP (genuinely)...how did you not realise this was a scam? Those initial messages were so clearly 'scammy' I can't see how you didn't pick up on that. Again, kindly, please ask a trusted friend to check your transactions and all communication before doing any other business online. It really sounds like you are a little too naive/trusting to do so independently.

"with respect and kindness"

Followed by a patronising message that is anything but respectful or kind. Suggesting she needs supervision to use the internet is just rude.

Scammers use these scams because they work, because they know how to appear legitimate, fly under the radar and make lots of little gains. It's not as if she's been taken in by one of those "send me money and you'll get £10 million" scam emails.

sushiburger · 27/11/2023 11:32

Girlsjustwannahavefundamentalrights · 26/11/2023 22:31

"with respect and kindness"

Followed by a patronising message that is anything but respectful or kind. Suggesting she needs supervision to use the internet is just rude.

Scammers use these scams because they work, because they know how to appear legitimate, fly under the radar and make lots of little gains. It's not as if she's been taken in by one of those "send me money and you'll get £10 million" scam emails.

Show quote history

Oh agreed totally.

PlipPlopChoo · 29/11/2023 19:08

rude much?! I post from Marketplace all the time and sell brand new things I haven't used for a fraction of the price just to get rid. I suppose that makes me a scammer too according to your logic

You have put 2 + 2 together and made a baked potato.

When it comes to Marketplace If the price is too good to be true and the seller is willing to post then it is highly likely a scam. The simple rule of market place is get the item in your hand and give them the cash. The site offers zero protection on transactions.

Ebay gives much better protection if you want to buy items to be posted.

As has been mentioned upthread. The profile of the seller on Marketplace does not give assurances because it may have been taken over buy a hacker or built for that purpose.

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 30/11/2023 08:04

@SpringIntoChaos, there's no respect or kindness at all there. Maybe you need to ask a trusted friend to read your messages before you send them and make sure you don't sound like a completely judgmental jerk?

@PlipPlopChoo, no I haven't?! You said they were very clear indications it was fake. I've simiply said in your logic, that would make me a fake seller too since I've sold hundreds of pounds worth of my stuff this way.... Not everyone is untrustworthy but I still took steps to protect myself.

Fact if the matter is, I took a chance that it was legitimate and unfortunately this time it didn't pay off. I've had confirmation from PayPal that I've been issued a full refunded. As I protected my payment and knew I wouldn't loose out, I thought I'd chance it. It's annoying that it's wasted my time, but I've not lost anything else.

OP posts:
Weddingblues23 · 13/12/2023 00:47

PlipPlopChoo · 29/11/2023 19:08

rude much?! I post from Marketplace all the time and sell brand new things I haven't used for a fraction of the price just to get rid. I suppose that makes me a scammer too according to your logic

You have put 2 + 2 together and made a baked potato.

When it comes to Marketplace If the price is too good to be true and the seller is willing to post then it is highly likely a scam. The simple rule of market place is get the item in your hand and give them the cash. The site offers zero protection on transactions.

Ebay gives much better protection if you want to buy items to be posted.

As has been mentioned upthread. The profile of the seller on Marketplace does not give assurances because it may have been taken over buy a hacker or built for that purpose.

Edited

I don't get it where you say that marketplace offers zero protection on transactions? I don't think there is a payment facility on marketplace, you would need to use something else to transfer the money, so if you use PayPal, as OP did, then you would be covered?

ComputerIsSayingNo · 13/12/2023 00:52

Was it on the PayPal actual website as my friends had this where it was the scammer sending her the email appearing to be from PayPal so she resent the money elsewhere

Original poster
ALonelyRoad · 15/12/2023 06:20

@ComputerIsSayingNo, yes it was on my actual PayPal account, too. I saw the email first but double checked to make sure it wasn't a scam email. That first payment doesn't actually appear to have left my bank (presumably because it was refunded immediately). The second payment was recovered by PayPal so I haven't lost anything financially!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 15/12/2023 06:26

Paypal/ banks are the ones losing out they get the money close or abandon everything move on

FestiveFrederica · 15/12/2023 06:39

It sounds as if you haven't lost anything in the end! I was panicking for you 😂

There are so many dodgy bastards about and it is genuine hard to tell which ones are trying to scam you sometimes. I think that saying "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is" is true. I think if you see a high end item selling for peanuts and then they don't have their own PayPal etc etc, I'd forget about it and not buy the item.

Glad you didn't lose anything! I do think PayPal/banks take the hit sometimes but I don't see how in this case if the money never went through

heyshapedonotbuy · 22/03/2024 10:21
  1. they only answer to emails when you spam them,
  2. I had to pay about 40CHF to import to switzerland
3.one body had defects
  1. they didn't even help me with the return
  2. I had to pay 23.50 CHF to send back
  3. from the order 80CHF I only got back 20CHF approximately. PLEASE don't buy . the quality is horrible and the customer service is tragic.
PlipPlopChoo · 25/03/2024 19:32

I don't get it where you say that marketplace offers zero protection on transactions? I don't think there is a payment facility on marketplace, you would need to use something else to transfer the money, so if you use PayPal, as OP did, then you would be covered

Marketplace is not Paypal. MARKETPLACE offers zero protection.

Ebay manages its own transactions and offers protection against scammers.

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