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i kind of like facebook marketplace but i have rules i stick to:-
only list one item at a time, the reason for this is that scammers can see all items for sale, so if they are looking to nick something big they contact you about the small item, ask questions try and get your details, then come and steel the big thing, if you accuse them of theft they say no i was asking about the small item but changed my mind, 2 friends have been targeted with this approach, one was an attempted break in once details were provided, the other was a full on theft of an expensive bike. not to mention several customers having had this happen to them.
only give postcode and mobile phone number, agree a time, tell them to drive to that postcode and ring the number. don't say stuff like, "no i'll be at work then", the answer should always be "no i can't do that", you don't need to justify your answer as to why you can't do that time.
don't let that person in your house.
don't let them see the contents of your stuff in the garage.
they are not your friend, so don't treat them like one.
testride? no problem, cash in my hand first, especially if their mate is still sat in the drivers seat of the car.
meet at mutual location, i let customers meet at my shop, most genuine buyers and sellers will be ok with this, it shows they are an enthusiast and that they have a good relationship with their local shop enough for that shop to let them do it which wouldn't be allowed if that person was flogging stolen stuff.
if buying ask a few questions yes, of course, remember that the seller has to filter out scammers and numpties, ask for a rough area, you only really need to know the nearest town, the seller probably won't want to give any details of location until a price is agreed so get that sorted first, but point out that if collecting you have to take the cost of driving in to the purchase price but just ask for the town, it's less suspicious to them.
that's my rules.
only list one item at a time, the reason for this is that scammers can see all items for sale, so if they are looking to nick something big they contact you about the small item, ask questions try and get your details, then come and steel the big thing, if you accuse them of theft they say no i was asking about the small item but changed my mind, 2 friends have been targeted with this approach, one was an attempted break in once details were provided, the other was a full on theft of an expensive bike. not to mention several customers having had this happen to them.
only give postcode and mobile phone number, agree a time, tell them to drive to that postcode and ring the number. don't say stuff like, "no i'll be at work then", the answer should always be "no i can't do that", you don't need to justify your answer as to why you can't do that time.
don't let that person in your house.
don't let them see the contents of your stuff in the garage.
they are not your friend, so don't treat them like one.
testride? no problem, cash in my hand first, especially if their mate is still sat in the drivers seat of the car.
meet at mutual location, i let customers meet at my shop, most genuine buyers and sellers will be ok with this, it shows they are an enthusiast and that they have a good relationship with their local shop enough for that shop to let them do it which wouldn't be allowed if that person was flogging stolen stuff.
if buying ask a few questions yes, of course, remember that the seller has to filter out scammers and numpties, ask for a rough area, you only really need to know the nearest town, the seller probably won't want to give any details of location until a price is agreed so get that sorted first, but point out that if collecting you have to take the cost of driving in to the purchase price but just ask for the town, it's less suspicious to them.
that's my rules.
. I think I’m done with FB now.
