Facebook has grown to be one of the world’s largest companies and a force to be reckoned with online during the last 15 years, with billions of users active each month. Hence, by utilizing the massive client base that Facebook already had, the business and platform were immediately successful, with more than a billion visitors each month by 2021. Facebook Marketplace is an actual possibility for both individual sellers and small businesses. However, if you know how to sell, what to sell, and what not to sell, you can face the challenge head-on. Read on to learn about Facebook marketplace scams and local items for sale on the Facebook market only.
Overview
This social media platform Facebook is a crucial tool for businesses looking to market their goods to certain demographics. Facebook Marketplace, which used to only let people buy from each other, has been changed so that businesses can now sell on it as well.
In addition, Facebook Marketplace offers businesses the option to profit from the Facebook interactions already occurring as the retail industry grows more and more omnichannel with more and more opportunities to sell in many locations.
Items That Facebook Marketplace Can Sell
You can sell nearly anything on Facebook Marketplace as long as you abide by Facebook’s commerce policies. Facebook lists the following five product categories as the most popular ones:
- Items for the home.
- Furniture.
- Infant and child supplies.
- Clothes and footwear for women.
- Automobiles, including motorcycles, cars, and trucks.
Items Facebook Marketplace Cannot Sell
Facebook keeps a list of things that can’t be sold through Marketplace. These things consist of:
- Subscription services or digital goods.
- Explosives, ammo, or weapons.
- Animals.
- Substances that are recreational, illegal, or prescribed.
- Healthcare or medical supplies.
- Products for smoking and accompanying accessories.
- Supplements that are ingested.
- Products and services for adults.
- Services for real money gaming.
- Real, virtual, or counterfeit money.
- Items that are misleading, offensive, or deceitful.
- Recalled items.
Facebook Marketplace Scams
How can you dictate scams on Facebook Marketplace? You may be dealing with a fraudster if you see any of the following Facebook marketplace scams strategies. Thus, they are:
- A buyer or seller who has just created their Facebook profile or does not have a profile photo.
- A price that seems too good to be true for a costly item.
- Someone who wants to give you a prepaid shipping label or a gift card as payment.
- A customer who hurries to pay or “accidentally” overpays for an item.
- A seller or buyer who wants to contact you outside of Facebook and requests personal information from you, such as your phone number or email address.
How Do Scams on Facebook Marketplace Operate?
Scammers have created a variety of strategies to deceive Facebook Marketplace consumers, and each one operates uniquely. Buyer scams typically happen on the Facebook marketplace when someone tries to trade or acquire something without paying for it. In seller scams, a person advertises a product for sale on the Facebook marketplace but fails to deliver the product on time.
How to Get Scammed on Facebook Marketplace as a Buyer
Fraudulent vendors try everything, from advertising false rental properties to selling defective and counterfeit items. Learn about these frauds before purchasing on Facebook Marketplace.
#1. A Deal That Is Unrealistic
Have you just come upon a listing for the most popular Nike shoes, say, at a significant discount? The shoes are probably fakes. Hence, before making a purchase, request to see a live video, several images, or even the original sales receipt of the shoes. Pay with PayPal or another way that offers security in case they’re fake by using one of these.
#2. A False Rental Property
Don’t transfer a deposit until you, or a trusted friend or relative, has had an opportunity to tour the property to ensure that it is as described and that it is still available. The house advertised may be just what you’re looking for. Scammers can also promote houses that aren’t even available for rent, collect the money, and then disappear.
#3. A Defective Item
The gaming console you just purchased for $200? Even though the listing said it hadn’t been used much, it doesn’t work. You didn’t plug it in when you gave the seller the $200 at your meeting spot in the McDonald’s parking lot. And you won’t ever again come across that merchant on Facebook. So, before paying for anything, it is advisable to turn on and test any electronics or other devices that might not function.
#4. Trick and Bait
A “bait and switch” is when you try to sell one thing while trying to sell something else instead. When you finally find the item you’ve been looking for, the seller informs you that it isn’t available and substitutes another, more expensive one. Don’t be afraid to back out of a deal if it’s not what you wanted.
#5. Giveaways
Skip any offers for free stuff or contests for free stuff if you see them. It’s probably a phishing scam. When you click a link to enter the contest, malware or a virus could be downloaded and use your private information.
How to Get Scammed as a Facebook Marketplace Seller
Not just marketplace buyers are vulnerable to fraud. There are several ways that a buyer on Facebook Marketplace can con you. Meanwhile, with a prepaid shipping label, a verification code, or an overpayment, a dishonest buyer could con you. Here is a closer look at how these con artists operate and advice on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace without encountering phony customers.
#1. Missing Packages and Prepaid Shipping Labels
Avoid any buyer who wants you to pay for the shipping label. The shipping label will be valid, but once the item has been shipped, the buyer may ask to have it delivered to a different address than the one on the shipping label. Then, they’ll say the package was never sent or received.
#2. Collects Data for Phone Numbers
When you are asked to text a “buyer” to make arrangements for the item to be picked up right away. Someone is trying to get your phone number so they can quickly sign up for a Google Voice number and send you a verification code to your phone. To prove you are a real person, the con artist will ask you to give the code.
#3. Overpayment
Imagine that the buyer and seller agree on a $20 sales price, but the buyer ends up paying $50, notifies the seller of the mistake, and requests a refund of $30. Up until the bank catches up with you, that isn’t a problem. It’s possible that the check or card the merchant used to pay you was fake.
Items for Sale on Facebook Marketplace
Finding new and used goods like clothing, furniture, automobiles, and even your next rental home for sale is simple with Facebook Marketplace. Here is more information on Facebook Marketplace and how to make a sale.
- Click Marketplace in the left menu from your Feed.
- Click Item for sale after selecting Create new listing on Facebook marketplace.
- To add a picture of your item from your computer, click “Upload photographs”.
- Enter the details about your product. You can put “0” as the price to designate an item as “Free”.
- Choose Next. If Next is grayed out, make sure you’ve filled out all the required fields.
- To publish your sale Facebook marketplace listing, click Publish.
- Find out how to modify your listing or mark a product as sold.
Facebook Marketplace Local Only
Instead of from a foreign country, you might fairly easily acquire whatever you purchased in your city. Users of Facebook Marketplace are evolving because they want to check whether a product is nearby so they may buy it right away without paying for shipping. When searching for a specific item, consumers could switch Marketplace locations as well. Several goods that you actively seek out on the American market are not offered in Canada or the UK.
This is because some products are only offered in particular markets. If you wish to be able to buy from people in your home nation, state, or city and pay in your home currency, you should update the Facebook Marketplace settings location.
How to Set Facebook Marketplace to Local Only Settings
Hiding the Ships to “You Option” will help you find the products you’re looking for when you want to make a local purchase. There are methods you may employ to remove them from your search results and only display local goods. The first step in finding local listings is to narrow your search. So let’s look at how to set local listings first:
Make Local Listings Available on Facebook Marketplace
Local Listings supports both desktop and mobile platforms. You can use this tool to view the listings in your area or country that your neighbors have made. To enable it, adhere to these steps.
- Open the Facebook app on your tablet or smartphone.
- Choose “Marketplace” from the menu. It can be found at the top of the “Facebook News Feed” for Android users and at the bottom for iOS users.
- The category link is located in the top right corner.
- Opt for Local Listings. That is the first item listed under the search bar.
- The map icon can help you focus your search.
- If the suggested radius does not meet your needs, you can change it or utilize the location and search radius. Within 0.6 miles, or 965.6 meters, you can change it.
- After adding your location, you can apply it at the bottom of the screen, whether you choose “Recommended Radius or Customized Radius”.
How to Access the Facebook Marketplace Locally Only
Once you understand how to put up a Local Listing, Facebook Marketplace now allows you to browse a wider variety of things specifically based on your location. There is currently a new function added to Local Listen. Be sure you check out these steps after completing the aforementioned steps:
- Browse the categories in the Facebook app’s marketplace.
- Next, hit the Map Icon after clicking on “Local Listings”.
- Choose the region or radius you want, then click “apply.”
- You can use a name search to find something.
- Click Filters beneath the search field.
- Press Sort By.
- Choose the nearest distance first.
- On an Android smartphone, press See Items; on an iPhone, tap View Listings.
How to Access the Facebook Marketplace on a Desktop, Local Only:
If you want to learn more about the Facebook Marketplace local-only options, you can configure them on your computer. There is some good news for you, thankfully. The path and process are the same despite minor menu modifications. Thus, if you’re interested in learning how to accomplish it, keep reading.
- Choose Marketplace by clicking the three horizontal lines in the top left corner of the Facebook website.
- Use the Change Location link under Today’s choices to change the location.
- Next, pick a spot and a circle of influence. When finished, click Apply.
Can I Browse FB Marketplace without an Account?
No, you need to be a member of Facebook to use the Facebook marketplace. You’ll need to have a Facebook account and be logged in to it to access the marketplace.
How Can I Open Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, on Facebook, tap on the top right corner. Choose Market. Tap See more if you can’t see the Marketplace.
How Much Does Facebook Marketplace Cost?
For shipments of $8 or less, there is a flat price of $0.40 instead of the selling fee of 5% per shipment. The remaining money is yours to keep.
How Do I Get Paid on Facebook Marketplace?
You must include a tracking number and designate your item as shipped to receive payment. Also, the order must be marked as shipped within three days.
References
- itechhacks.com
- facebook.com
- gobankingrates.com
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