Facebook marketplace

Facebook marketplace

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OldSkoolRS

6,769 posts

181 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I've had this a lot lately trying to sell some guitar parts. I don't want to post because then it creates the problem of how do they pay? If it's Paypal or similar then they can say the part is faulty or whatever and get a refund, then I'm left with no part and no money. No one would pay by Bank transfer up front (can't blame them as they don't know me) so it's easier just to insist on collection only. Sometimes I've lost out on sales because of it, but they've gone in the end.

If there is another way to do it that I'm missing, then I'm all ears but I just feel that posting leaves me more open to being scammed.

bad company

18,766 posts

268 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
OldSkoolRS said:
I've had this a lot lately trying to sell some guitar parts. I don't want to post because then it creates the problem of how do they pay? If it's Paypal or similar then they can say the part is faulty or whatever and get a refund, then I'm left with no part and no money. No one would pay by Bank transfer up front (can't blame them as they don't know me) so it's easier just to insist on collection only. Sometimes I've lost out on sales because of it, but they've gone in the end.

If there is another way to do it that I'm missing, then I'm all ears but I just feel that posting leaves me more open to being scammed.
Agree 100%. What happens if the recipient denies receipt, claims that you posted an empty box or that the item was damaged. I prefer cash at the door. That way the buyer gets to inspect the item and pay only if happy with it. MUCH less risk all round.

Sway

26,455 posts

196 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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Pit Pony said:
Sway said:
Recommendations for buying?

Festool track saw. So few hundred quid but a good bargain.

In a fairly rough area, but somewhere not surprising a trade would live. It's also 240V, so unlikely to be nicked off a building site.

Assume bank transfer after checking over is the best route for payment rather than carrying cash?
Stolen goods from somewhere perhaps?
Nope. Just collected. Half cash, half bank transfer.

Chap was superb, took me out to his shed workshop, ripped some sheet ply to prove it all worked great. Also pointed out his shiny new cordless version of the same festool plunge saw, hence the reason for sale.

It's in great condition, including a blade that looks brand new.
Usually avoid buying anything from facebook/ebay, but this experience was faultless.

nebpor

3,753 posts

237 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
I pay by bank transfer on Facebook marketplace all the time, for musical equipment, before it’s posted

PayPal isn’t the only way to sell things. In the decent music for sale forums it’s not hard to do your due diligence

Wacky Racer

38,293 posts

249 months

Friday 9th June 2023
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BlindedByTheLights said:
I have one concert ticket to sell that I am selling at 25% off. lady gets in touch “I am interested”. Ok well it’s available so it’s yours. Then “how many do you have?”, one as per the ad. “Oh sorry I need two”. No problem they still have some for sale on the website so buy mine at 25% discount and one off their website. Silence.
They could be a couple wanting to sit together to be fair, but a simple no thank you would have been polite.

BlindedByTheLights

1,293 posts

99 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
Wacky Racer said:
BlindedByTheLights said:
I have one concert ticket to sell that I am selling at 25% off. lady gets in touch “I am interested”. Ok well it’s available so it’s yours. Then “how many do you have?”, one as per the ad. “Oh sorry I need two”. No problem they still have some for sale on the website so buy mine at 25% discount and one off their website. Silence.
They could be a couple wanting to sit together to be fair, but a simple no thank you would have been polite.
It’s a no seating standing only concert otherwise that could have been the issue.

OldSkoolRS

6,769 posts

181 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
nebpor said:
I pay by bank transfer on Facebook marketplace all the time, for musical equipment, before it’s posted

PayPal isn’t the only way to sell things. In the decent music for sale forums it’s not hard to do your due diligence
That requires a level of trust on your behalf though. Obviously a buyer has no clue about me, so I could understand their reluctance to pay first, then I send later. I wouldn't do half now, half on receipt though as that could result in them no paying once it arrives.

I've written 'COLLECTION ONLY' in capitals in the adverts, but still get asked and usually come up at an impasse once I mention they'd need to pay up front by bank transfer. They will then go on about it being too far to come, but in that case surely they'd filter by distance if it was a problem? That's what I do as I usually can't be bothered with traveling more than about 20 miles for an item (30+ miles for me is often into London).

Hugo Stiglitz

Original Poster:

37,314 posts

213 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I'll answer this.

Starts off 'collect only'

Hi I'm in Razzmatazz I'm very interested.

Yes OK but it's price + any postage costs and you either bank transfer or pay PayPal fees.

More messages.

Penny drops that fees plus properly insured is XX ontop.

'Hi would you post it for original price including postage and PayPal included (with ME to cover incase I'm a scammer).


Go away.


Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 10th June 07:18

nebpor

3,753 posts

237 months

Friday 9th June 2023
quotequote all
OldSkoolRS said:
That requires a level of trust on your behalf though. Obviously a buyer has no clue about me, so I could understand their reluctance to pay first, then I send later. I wouldn't do half now, half on receipt though as that could result in them no paying once it arrives.

I've written 'COLLECTION ONLY' in capitals in the adverts, but still get asked and usually come up at an impasse once I mention they'd need to pay up front by bank transfer. They will then go on about it being too far to come, but in that case surely they'd filter by distance if it was a problem? That's what I do as I usually can't be bothered with traveling more than about 20 miles for an item (30+ miles for me is often into London).
Absolutely it requires trust, all I mean is that Facebook isn't entirely evil - you just gotta have your eyes open and see if it smells right

Monsterlime

1,207 posts

168 months

Sunday 11th June 2023
quotequote all
Listed a (very cheap) car on Facebook Marketplace on Saturday (yesterday). Fully expected a lot of annoyance. Within 5 minutes I'd had 10 messages. In an hour someone had turned up and bought it, no messing about, just gave the money and left.

Stunned.

vikingaero

10,533 posts

171 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
Hugo Stiglitz said:
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I'll answer this.

Starts off 'collect only'

Hi I'm in Razzmatazz I'm very interested.

Yes OK but it's price + any postage costs and you either bank transfer or pay PayPal fees.

More messages.

Penny drops that fees plus properly insured is XX ontop.

'Hi would you post it for original price including postage and PayPal included (with ME to cover incase I'm a scammer).


Go away.


Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 10th June 07:18
I put "collection only, no delivery no couriers, no postage" on my adverts. I also tell them I'm 5 mins from the M20 J7 to give an idea of location.

Why collection only? Because if I post I have to find a box/packaging, I have to package it up and take it to the Post Office. Peoples expect fast delivery at minimal cost which doesn't compute in the real world - so they want first class delivery and pay second class delivery prices. If it's a courier collection, I have to wait in all day. And if I have to post/courier, then I may as well sell on eBay for more money.

Zetec-S

5,957 posts

95 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
OldSkoolRS said:
I've written 'COLLECTION ONLY' in capitals in the adverts, but still get asked and usually come up at an impasse once I mention they'd need to pay up front by bank transfer. They will then go on about it being too far to come, but in that case surely they'd filter by distance if it was a problem? That's what I do as I usually can't be bothered with traveling more than about 20 miles for an item (30+ miles for me is often into London).
The problem I find is that the distance filter doesn’t always seem to work. Or it’s not always clear that you’ve scrolled past all the local stuff.

I’ve been looking out for some scrap wood to use at my allotment. Thought I saw the perfect ad - free, looked in good condition and the right size to fit in the car. Was just about to message them then saw they were based on Liverpool (I live in Dorset). I guess a lot of people don’t double check before they message.

OldSkoolRS

6,769 posts

181 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
Zetec-S said:
The problem I find is that the distance filter doesn’t always seem to work. Or it’s not always clear that you’ve scrolled past all the local stuff.

I’ve been looking out for some scrap wood to use at my allotment. Thought I saw the perfect ad - free, looked in good condition and the right size to fit in the car. Was just about to message them then saw they were based on Liverpool (I live in Dorset). I guess a lot of people don’t double check before they message.
I guess that makes sense, but if I've put the town the item is in as part of my advert, then it's more down to them not reading the advert properly. I know what you mean about scrolling down as you can miss the 'outside of your area' part if scrolling too quickly I suppose. The filter generally seems to work fine for me though as I've bought a couple of cars this past year and have a limit how far I can be bothered to go.

Perhaps it's more an excuse as part of the trying to persuade me to post as they don't mention that until they ask for my postcode, then it suddenly becomes a problem after jumping through all their other hoops. Could also be that I'm selling guitar parts that might appeal more to a younger buyer who might not have transport, but then that isn't my problem.

I totally agree with the post above regarding delivery too; champagne service for lemonade prices are expected.

On the reverse side; I've got some bargains because I've made the effort to get in my car and go to collect an item, especially bulky/awkward shaped things that might cost more to post than they are worth.

anonymous-user

56 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
OldSkoolRS said:
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I've had this a lot lately trying to sell some guitar parts. I don't want to post because then it creates the problem of how do they pay? If it's Paypal or similar then they can say the part is faulty or whatever and get a refund, then I'm left with no part and no money. No one would pay by Bank transfer up front (can't blame them as they don't know me) so it's easier just to insist on collection only. Sometimes I've lost out on sales because of it, but they've gone in the end.

If there is another way to do it that I'm missing, then I'm all ears but I just feel that posting leaves me more open to being scammed.
Just to add to this discussion: Maybe I'm careful or lucky, or a combination, but I've posted quite a lot of things that I have sold on FB, and also received stuff via post that I have bought on FB, and I haven't had any issues.

I've sold quite a few watches, electronics, my old iPhones etc (nothing of massive value, maybe up to around £600 ish) and the buyers have all been happy to either pay via bank transfer, or pay by PayPal 'Friends and family'.

I've also bought a few things up to around £500, paid by PayPal, and had them posted to me.

Sometimes buyers insist on wanting to pay by PayPal 'Goods and Services' so that they get buyer protection, but I always refusing saying that I might be scammed that way. They then either say they don't want to risk it and no longer wish to buy, or they agree to pay be Friends and Family. Either way is fine. If they don't buy the item, there is always someone else who comes along a few days after and does buy it.

As they say in the Wristwatch community: Buy the seller, not the watch. I can always tell when a buyer is being genuine and making enquiries/questions to assess if I am legit before they send money, and I'm fine with that. Vice versa, thus far, I can tell when a seller is genuine and I ask a few questions.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 12th June 12:21

Hugo Stiglitz

Original Poster:

37,314 posts

213 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
vikingaero said:
Hugo Stiglitz said:
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I'll answer this.

Starts off 'collect only'

Hi I'm in Razzmatazz I'm very interested.

Yes OK but it's price + any postage costs and you either bank transfer or pay PayPal fees.

More messages.

Penny drops that fees plus properly insured is XX ontop.

'Hi would you post it for original price including postage and PayPal included (with ME to cover incase I'm a scammer).


Go away.


Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 10th June 07:18
I put "collection only, no delivery no couriers, no postage" on my adverts. I also tell them I'm 5 mins from the M20 J7 to give an idea of location.

Why collection only? Because if I post I have to find a box/packaging, I have to package it up and take it to the Post Office. Peoples expect fast delivery at minimal cost which doesn't compute in the real world - so they want first class delivery and pay second class delivery prices. If it's a courier collection, I have to wait in all day. And if I have to post/courier, then I may as well sell on eBay for more money.
I've said all that 'but I can arrange for someone to come at a certain time'.


Then...


Can you get it boxed up, local bike shops always give away boxes...



Okay...

julianm

1,550 posts

203 months

Monday 12th June 2023
quotequote all
So fed up as I missed all this for NOTHING!

boyse7en

6,790 posts

167 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
Hugo Stiglitz said:
boyse7en said:
Out of interest, what is your aversion to posting? Do the buyers expect you to pay for it too?
I've bought a few "collection only" car and motorbike parts by organising the courier to collect from the seller, so all they have to do is pop it in a box. I'm just trying to find out what the best approach would be when asking if they actually would post despite saying they won't.
I'll answer this.

Starts off 'collect only'

Hi I'm in Razzmatazz I'm very interested.

Yes OK but it's price + any postage costs and you either bank transfer or pay PayPal fees.

More messages.

Penny drops that fees plus properly insured is XX ontop.

'Hi would you post it for original price including postage and PayPal included (with ME to cover incase I'm a scammer).


Go away.


Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 10th June 07:18
That sounds wearing.

I just offer to pay up front by bank transfer or Paypal (their choice), and it usually isn't a problem. Some people, however, won't post at all and I just wondered why.

LivingTheDream

1,758 posts

181 months

Thursday 15th June 2023
quotequote all
I'm looking for a learner car for my son - would it be a bad idea looking on Marketplace? there seems to be plenty on there but am I likely to regret it?

Zetec-S

5,957 posts

95 months

Friday 16th June 2023
quotequote all
LivingTheDream said:
I'm looking for a learner car for my son - would it be a bad idea looking on Marketplace? there seems to be plenty on there but am I likely to regret it?
I think there’s more potential for time wasters if you’re a seller than a buyer.

If you know a bit about cars and have some basic mechanical knowledge then it’s worth a look. Just bear in mind there will be plenty of “great cars” which have a warning light or small issue, which apparently is a “simple fix”…

vikingaero

10,533 posts

171 months

Friday 16th June 2023
quotequote all
When looking, do so in conjunction with the .gov MOT History site. There will normally be advisories for maintenance items - tyres, brakes, etc. You can tell when MOT garage need to get their failure rates up - failed for blown sidelight and then immediately passes again. The MOT History will highlight rust and oil leaks. Many many cars are crustier than you think .