A mum was left speechless by a customer's bizarre behaviour on Facebook Marketplace
- Replies 11
If you like a good bargain, you might be familiar with Facebook Marketplace. It’s a great platform for browsing items for sale near your area.
But, like everything great, Facebook Marketplace does come with a certain risk. Many of us are wary of reaching out to buy (or sell) an item from a complete stranger, and rightly so–you never know what exactly might happen.
That said, sometimes you come across situations so bizarre that it will leave you speechless, like Roisin Tarrant, a young mum from Queensland.
According to her, she put up an old workbench on Facebook Marketplace for $50, and it wasn't long before a potential customer came knocking. But, the encounter didn’t go as smoothly as expected.
Roisin appeared in a video and recalled that after she gave her address, the customer arrived with his wife to collect the item.
That was when his strange behaviour began. Instead of handing over the $50 for the workbench, the couple said, ‘Thank you so much for your generosity’, loaded it into their trailer and drove away without paying.
'I think I just got majorly scammed on my own Facebook Marketplace listing,' Roisin said.
Despite feeling scammed, she laughed off the incident since she needed to get rid of it for her upcoming move.
However, that didn't stop her from sending the customer a message telling them they'd 'forgotten' to pay. Roisin has yet to confirm if they responded to the message.
Social media users were quick to provide tips on handling Facebook Marketplace sales, with one saying, ‘My rule is you give me the money before I hand anything over.’
‘I also reiterate the price like “Please bring $50 cash, I don’t have any change on me,’ another suggested.
Others are also sharing their similar experience. A seller wrote, ‘I literally helped someone move a couch they “bought” from me, and they never paid.’
‘This happened to me! So awkward,’ a second seller said.
You can watch Roisin’s full video here:
First off, always practice smart communication. Keep all correspondence within Facebook Messenger so that you have a record of all conversations and agreements. Try to be clear and precise about the payment method and the transaction terms from the beginning. You wouldn’t want any confusion leading to a 'freebie' situation!
And speaking of payment, there’s another important tip. Never hand over an item without receiving payment! While it can be tempting to trust a friendly face, it’s vital to remember that not everyone has the best intentions. Make it crystal clear to potential customers that payment is expected, not optional.
Also, consider meeting in a neutral, public place for exchanges rather than revealing your personal address. This offers an extra layer of security, ensuring you’re not providing strangers with details of where you live. It also lets you quickly leave the scene if things start feeling dodgy.
Another tip to consider is to have someone else with you during the exchange. Having another person present can sometimes discourage scammers and opportunists.
And finally, don't forget to follow your gut instinct. If something feels off or not quite right, it probably isn't. It’s your sale, and you have every right to cancel it if it feels suspicious.
Remember, selling on Facebook Marketplace can be a breeze if you exercise some necessary precautions.
Now, that's one Facebook Marketplace story we heard that might make you think twice before agreeing to sell anything.
Remember this the next time you’re out on the Facebook Marketplace. Always make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and the expected payment method you’ll receive, and it’s best to be transparent about it all on Messenger from the start.
Do you have a similar experience, members? Share them in the comments below!
But, like everything great, Facebook Marketplace does come with a certain risk. Many of us are wary of reaching out to buy (or sell) an item from a complete stranger, and rightly so–you never know what exactly might happen.
That said, sometimes you come across situations so bizarre that it will leave you speechless, like Roisin Tarrant, a young mum from Queensland.
According to her, she put up an old workbench on Facebook Marketplace for $50, and it wasn't long before a potential customer came knocking. But, the encounter didn’t go as smoothly as expected.
Roisin Tarrant shared her Facebook Marketplace experience. Credit: @geebungalow/TikTok
Roisin appeared in a video and recalled that after she gave her address, the customer arrived with his wife to collect the item.
That was when his strange behaviour began. Instead of handing over the $50 for the workbench, the couple said, ‘Thank you so much for your generosity’, loaded it into their trailer and drove away without paying.
'I think I just got majorly scammed on my own Facebook Marketplace listing,' Roisin said.
Despite feeling scammed, she laughed off the incident since she needed to get rid of it for her upcoming move.
However, that didn't stop her from sending the customer a message telling them they'd 'forgotten' to pay. Roisin has yet to confirm if they responded to the message.
Social media users were quick to provide tips on handling Facebook Marketplace sales, with one saying, ‘My rule is you give me the money before I hand anything over.’
‘I also reiterate the price like “Please bring $50 cash, I don’t have any change on me,’ another suggested.
Others are also sharing their similar experience. A seller wrote, ‘I literally helped someone move a couch they “bought” from me, and they never paid.’
‘This happened to me! So awkward,’ a second seller said.
You can watch Roisin’s full video here:
How to safely sell items on Facebook Marketplace
To avoid any Marketplace mishaps like Roisin’s in the future, it’s important to have a few safety tips up your sleeve. Facebook Marketplace, like many other sales platforms, is a fantastic tool when used correctly, and you should not let fear of the unknown hinder your online selling experiences.First off, always practice smart communication. Keep all correspondence within Facebook Messenger so that you have a record of all conversations and agreements. Try to be clear and precise about the payment method and the transaction terms from the beginning. You wouldn’t want any confusion leading to a 'freebie' situation!
And speaking of payment, there’s another important tip. Never hand over an item without receiving payment! While it can be tempting to trust a friendly face, it’s vital to remember that not everyone has the best intentions. Make it crystal clear to potential customers that payment is expected, not optional.
Also, consider meeting in a neutral, public place for exchanges rather than revealing your personal address. This offers an extra layer of security, ensuring you’re not providing strangers with details of where you live. It also lets you quickly leave the scene if things start feeling dodgy.
Another tip to consider is to have someone else with you during the exchange. Having another person present can sometimes discourage scammers and opportunists.
And finally, don't forget to follow your gut instinct. If something feels off or not quite right, it probably isn't. It’s your sale, and you have every right to cancel it if it feels suspicious.
Remember, selling on Facebook Marketplace can be a breeze if you exercise some necessary precautions.
Now, that's one Facebook Marketplace story we heard that might make you think twice before agreeing to sell anything.
Remember this the next time you’re out on the Facebook Marketplace. Always make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and the expected payment method you’ll receive, and it’s best to be transparent about it all on Messenger from the start.
Do you have a similar experience, members? Share them in the comments below!
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