Is Facebook Marketplace Safe? Here's My Experience With the Platform

Summary

• You can use Facebook Marketplace for buying and selling a wide range of items safely by checking profiles and descriptions.
• Be cautious of potential scams by paying in cash, researching thoroughly, and setting clear communication expectations.
• Take the time to research items and profiles, set realistic prices, and maintain good communication with buyers and sellers for successful transactions.

Facebook Marketplace is a popular way to buy or sell second-hand items online. But is it safe to use? Here are my experiences and tips to get the best results on Marketplace.

What Is Facebook Marketplace?

Facebook Marketplace is an online market hosted by Facebook. To use Facebook Marketplace, you must have a Facebook profile. There are no restrictions on who can buy or sell, with all communication taking place between the buyer and seller only.

Facebook Marketplace was introduced to the social platform in 2016 as a built-in way for users to buy and sell items. You can find the Marketplace as a Facebook app from both the mobile app and browser versions of Facebook. You can buy and sell almost anything on Facebook Marketplace, whether it's small home goods like bedside cabinets and smartphones or large-ticket items like cars or even houses.

My Experience Buying on Facebook Marketplace

When I'm looking to buy specific items, Facebook Marketplace is often my go-to platform. Over the years, I've bought two cars and a campervan through Marketplace, as well as a MacBook Pro, other electronics, and home goods like lamps. Marketplace is a great way to buy a discounted MacBook or other typically high-priced electronic goods.

Facebook Marketplace sellers who have sold multiple items may also have reviews from previous buyers. I check their reviews and their profile before messaging. I always write a custom message rather than the default one Facebook supplies, as I want to show the buyer that I'm genuinely interested and not a scam bot.

Before messaging a seller, I read the entire description. Sometimes sellers list a lower price for attention, and they'll write the real—higher—price in the description, or other caveats such as the item not functioning. When researching a product, I also compare prices and conditions with other retailers or discount marketplaces to know the item's worth.

While it isn't the best safety tip to meet a stranger at their or your house, that's where I've met most of the sellers when buying items. I'm always communicative and punctual when meeting a seller and I often take another person with me for safety, confidence, or help with loading.

I've only had positive experiences as a buyer on Facebook Marketplace. I always research the product and the seller beforehand, and if anything feels off, then I drop out of the deal. You can't return items bought from Facebook Marketplace, so when I meet to buy, I always check the item thoroughly before exchanging cash.

My Experience Selling on Facebook Marketplace

As a seller on Marketplace, I've found many more frustrations than I do as a buyer. It's common that users don't read the description and sometimes don't look at all the photos. While I still recommend uploading all the information, just be aware that it doesn't mean people look at it.

When arranging for a buyer to come to pick up their item, I give them specific time parameters for visiting—otherwise they might waste your entire day—and explain whether the item will need another person to help load it or other important information.

I only accept cash payment as this helps avoid scams with online banking or failed transactions, and I wait until everything is confirmed before I give my full address—I'll provide a nearby vague area before that.

After selling an item, you can set the listing to "Sold" which will stop people from messaging you continually asking if the item is still available. This is preferable rather than deleting the listing advert, since it shows your selling history, which can help vouch for you as a review in the future.

How I Spot Scams on Facebook Marketplace

There are ways to stay safe on Facebook Marketplace, and there are many things you should take note of as both a buyer and seller on Marketplace.

Firstly, write a full and honest description of your item. Include images of any damage and explain anything the new owner should know. As a buyer, making sure you read and look at all the information presented helps you buy your product with correct expectations.

Check out a buyer or seller’s profile. This helps to see if they are genuine, if their story lines up with their conversation, and if they have any negative reviews or interactions that make you wary to engage with them.

Use apps to reverse image search the listings images. This helps confirm the listing is genuine, as the photos shouldn't be available elsewhere. Similarly, look for duplicate listings with the same title, images, or descriptions. There should only be one listing for one item.

Typically, the best way to avoid a scam through Marketplace is to only pay in cash once you physically exchange the item. It's not recommended to pay online, through a bank transfer, and especially not using any online gift cards.

Some people prefer to lock down their Facebook privacy settings if they are selling or buying frequently on Marketplace. This includes changing your name—use your middle name or a shortened version of your last name—and keeping any recent photos of you and your loved ones viewable to your Friends List only. Don't fill your feed with your upcoming vacation plans if you're giving your address to strangers when selling items.

Selling on Facebook Marketplace is a great way to clear your possessions responsibly or for buyers to find new items at great prices. Just keep your wits about you and remember the buyer or seller is a stranger who you owe no loyalty to and selling or buying something fast isn’t worth being scammed.

My Advice to Facebook Users on Marketplace

Take your time to research both products and profiles when using Marketplace. Don't let the FOMO cause mistakes or scamming opportunities when you excitedly confirm a purchase.

To avoid wasting your time, give a time parameter for anyone you’re meeting with. If they fail to arrive, move on to the next person in line. It's common that some Marketplace users have bad communication, are late, or even totally ghost you. Don't get disheartened, just move on.

Since Marketplace doesn’t charge fees or process any payments, you can set the price however you like—including giving away items for free. From experience, most people who buy from Marketplace will try to push the price lower, so price your item with that in mind. It's easiest to take cash only, so round the price to an even number.

To avoid people messing you around if you want to give an item away for free, just put a small price like $10 on it. It's up to you whether you still give it for free when the buyer shows up, but it's a low enough price to stop time-wasters.

Facebook Marketplace is a helpful tool for people clearing out unwanted possessions and for those who want to buy new-to-them items without eye-watering prices. Being communicative and honest will yield the best results for both sellers and buyers.