Facebook Marketplace - easy to get scammed as a seller?

B0bbyEwing

I don't particularly like selling on eBay. It's a last resort for me for a few reasons - 
* the fees. 
* the ease with which a dishonest buyer could screw you over. Thankfully I haven't yet had this in my experience but it's only a matter of time in my opinion.

I have some items I'm wanting to sell which people in various FB related groups are interested in.

I'm not quite sure how I'll be able to package them up as they're a bit awkward in sizing but if I can get round that my next concern is the buyer pulling the 'never received' or 'received damaged (yet didn't)' or 'item not as described' stunt.

I'd rather PayPal payments than bank transfers for these things.

Is there a way to avoid these stunts as a seller?

I suppose on the flipside they'll be wanting to avoid paying for something that I just don't bother sending out at all (there's been a few scamming sellers noted on these groups who then get banned but that's no help to the guy who paid up for nothing).

But that's their concern & for them to look in to how they protect themselves. I just want to know if I can protect myself against scammy buyers.

soolin

Firstly check whether there are any selling requirements attached to the FB selling group you are looking g at, many that I use insist on seller only taking PayPal G and s for example.

You mention preferring g PayPal anyway, which is lucky, insisting on a bank transfer, even if allowed on a particular group can look a bit scammy. When you sell something pack very securely as you’re responsible for the safety until it gets to the buyer, add the tracking details to the PayPal payment as soon as you post. If buyer claims INR and tracking doesn’t show delivery then you would need to refund after a certain period, and reclaim your loss from the courier (so remember to read the packaging guidelines and exemptions for insurance) . If item shows as tracking to delivery then you’d win the case anyway.  

Incidentally on eBay if you sell as a private seller and use simple delivery eBay cover any INR claims as long as item shows as sent. Likewise for damage incurred after sending eBay pick up the bill for that as well. 

soolin

Also, remember the usual PayPal requirements, post only to the address given on the payment, no other address will cover you as the seller. 

B0bbyEwing

Thanks. 

Just need to figure out how to package these things up & calculate postage costs, which could put a lot of people off.

soolin

B0bbyEwing said:

Thanks. 

Just need to figure out how to package these things up & calculate postage costs, which could put a lot of people off.

depending on the item have a look at some of the couriers for options as well - just keep an eye on exemptions as the insurance is for your benefit, not that of the buyer as they are covered anyway. 

Also remember that if opting for Royal mail then buying your postage online is cheaper than paying over the counter at a post office. 

B0bbyEwing

soolin said:

B0bbyEwing said:

Thanks. 

Just need to figure out how to package these things up & calculate postage costs, which could put a lot of people off.

depending on the item have a look at some of the couriers for options as well - just keep an eye on exemptions as the insurance is for your benefit, not that of the buyer as they are covered anyway. 

Also remember that if opting for Royal mail then buying your postage online is cheaper than paying over the counter at a post office. 

I tend to avoid Royal Mail for anything beyond letters or when someone specifies it has to be by a Royal Mail service like Special Delivery or whatever.

I generally use Parcel2Go & select whichever courier ticks my boxes in terms of insurance. 

Unless you know of a better way to do it? 

And that's a genuine question as well since you're infinitely more experienced at this than I am. There was no sarcasm with that.

soolin

B0bbyEwing said:

soolin said:

B0bbyEwing said:

Thanks. 

Just need to figure out how to package these things up & calculate postage costs, which could put a lot of people off.

depending on the item have a look at some of the couriers for options as well - just keep an eye on exemptions as the insurance is for your benefit, not that of the buyer as they are covered anyway. 

Also remember that if opting for Royal mail then buying your postage online is cheaper than paying over the counter at a post office. 

I tend to avoid Royal Mail for anything beyond letters or when someone specifies it has to be by a Royal Mail service like Special Delivery or whatever.

I generally use Parcel2Go & select whichever courier ticks my boxes in terms of insurance. 

Unless you know of a better way to do it? 

And that's a genuine question as well since you're infinitely more experienced at this than I am. There was no sarcasm with that.

Parcel2go is a third party broker and often have little or no insurance. Also, reading some of the threads around adding another layer to the parcel delivery can cause issues if you need to claim. Make absolute sure you know what insurance you have and definitely confirm that your item is covered against damage and loss. Sometimes if you need a higher insurance level it’s cheaper to go direct to the courier and bypass the broker. 

Again though it all comes back to making g sure you do your research. Make sure though that you choose the courier that covers you, don’t let the buyer dictate a courier that can’t offer you the insurance you need. 

B0bbyEwing

soolin said:

B0bbyEwing said:

soolin said:

B0bbyEwing said:

Thanks. 

Just need to figure out how to package these things up & calculate postage costs, which could put a lot of people off.

depending on the item have a look at some of the couriers for options as well - just keep an eye on exemptions as the insurance is for your benefit, not that of the buyer as they are covered anyway. 

Also remember that if opting for Royal mail then buying your postage online is cheaper than paying over the counter at a post office. 

I tend to avoid Royal Mail for anything beyond letters or when someone specifies it has to be by a Royal Mail service like Special Delivery or whatever.

I generally use Parcel2Go & select whichever courier ticks my boxes in terms of insurance. 

Unless you know of a better way to do it? 

And that's a genuine question as well since you're infinitely more experienced at this than I am. There was no sarcasm with that.

Parcel2go is a third party broker and often have little or no insurance. Also, reading some of the threads around adding another layer to the parcel delivery can cause issues if you need to claim. Make absolute sure you know what insurance you have and definitely confirm that your item is covered against damage and loss. Sometimes if you need a higher insurance level it’s cheaper to go direct to the courier and bypass the broker. 

Again though it all comes back to making g sure you do your research. Make sure though that you choose the courier that covers you, don’t let the buyer dictate a courier that can’t offer you the insurance you need. 

Yeah I've had to claim twice via Parcel2Go.

The first time was a nightmare. They couldn't track the parcel from that crappy little bit of blue paper the Evri drop off spot gives you. I can't actually remember what happened but I think I got nowhere with the claim.

The second time I actually got paid out.

Off the top of my head they cover up to £20 as standard but can't remember the situation after that. Obviously I've sent things that are dearer than that. Can't remember what I did for insurance but I must've covered it because I'm paranoid when sending as I trust nobody. Not the courier & not the buyer.

I'll look at going direct in future.

B0bbyEwing

@soolin - how would you work this eBay returns where I cover myself with the returning of it.

Basically bought an item. Was £10-£11. Nothing wrong with it, I just don't need it now so a change of mind & I know this then means I'm the one who covers the return cost. The item is quite small & light. Haven't weighed it yet but I suspect it'll be under 100g. If not then it'll be only just & so over 100g.

So on an item of this value I want to keep the return postage as low as possible while covering myself in the event it goes 'missing' during RMs handling (doesn't have to be Royal Mail I suppose) so that one way or another I get a refund.

I know there's signed for & I've had folk mention getting proof of postage but not signed for. I'm not sure which would sort me out if it never made it to back to the seller.





** And I know there'll be people reading this who'd say - I wouldn't bother for an item of that value. To which I'll just say, private message me, I'll give you my PayPal details & you can feel free to send me many transfers of £10 since it's no big deal  Basically just throwing that last bit in for anyone else who'd chirp in with it to show I'm really not interested in that POV at all.

savergrant

Proof of posting (at a post office or through the royal mail app at a parcel postbox) should guarantee you a book of stamps if the seller says they didn't get it returned, so long as it's not an excluded item. Tracked or signed for will give you proof that it had been returned but the seller could always dispute that you'd returned everything you received.
Did you buy from a business seller or a private seller? If it was a private sale they might not accept change of mind returns.

Personally I'd go for proof of posting and if the seller says 'I didn't receive it' put a claim in, and accept £10 worth of stamps.

Pollycat

savergrant said:

Proof of posting (at a post office or through the royal mail app at a parcel postbox) should guarantee you a book of stamps if the seller says they didn't get it returned, so long as it's not an excluded item. Tracked or signed for will give you proof that it had been returned but the seller could always dispute that you'd returned everything you received.
Did you buy from a business seller or a private seller? If it was a private sale they might not accept change of mind returns.

Personally I'd go for proof of posting and if the seller says 'I didn't receive it' put a claim in, and accept £10 worth of stamps.

I'm a private seller and I do not accept returns unless SNAD.
My descriptions are very detailed and so are my photos.
In the 20 years of buying and selling on eBay, I have had a couple of return requests but have batted them back (with success) and the reason for return has been shown to be not credible because of my photos & descriptions.

Buying on Vinted and eBay had been a very good experience as I'm meticulously examine photos and descriptions,