Buying Furniture on Facebook Marketplace

[Mrs. Ciz]

Ive been searching for a table for my daughter’s first post college apartment on FB Marketplace, and I’m having some difficulties. Some folks never message me back. I’ve sent both messages and offers. The lady today did message me back but wants me to pay now via Venmo before she even sends me her address. I told her I’d Venmo her when I get there to pick up the table at 4:30 today. She messaged back that she won’t hold it for me unless I pay now. She said too many people set up times to come and then don’t show. I get that, but I’m not going to pay before I’ve even seen the thing or even have an address. Not sure how to respond to her.

What are the usual buying/picking up protocols?

 

[mco65]

Been doing a lot of the selling on FB Marketplace lately... downsizing to move real soon. Typically we have been only taking cash but most items have been less than $100... We do have a couple bigger ticket items listed and wouldn't expect payment until buyer shows up and inspects to confirm they still want the furniture... We have sold a living room set, chairs, tables, and tons of smaller items... plus we have given away stuff like lamps, bikes, luggage.. its been successful in that we have gotten rid of a lot of stuff that we dont' have to move now... That being said, we are not looking to profit off this stuff, just wanting to get rid of it and most times we take offers at half the listed price. However there a lot of no shows or folks just not responding to us when they confirm availability. We had some issues with scammers wanting to send us a code for us to click or send us a check that is way over our asking price. Unfortunately you have to be careful and keep your antennas up like Flick. Good Luck!

 

[sksjasams]

We have bought and sold a fair amount of stuff on FB marketplace. As far a furniture, I've purchased 3 desks and a dining table set. I would never pay ahead of time. Ever.
What if the item is not as described? I understand that lady being frustrated with no shows, but you know that going into it when you post items for sale on FB. It was always the same thing with craigslist too.
I would tell her you'll plan on coming at 4:30pm today. If the item is no longer available, she should let you know. Tell her you're just not comfortable paying before pick up, and that you understand the risk that the item might be gone by then.
Good luck!

 

[_19disnA]

I would NEVER pay someone you don't know ahead of time, too many ways for it to be a scam. Sounds like these are used items from your description, so I would also want to see the item to make my own assessment of the actual condition. Item may show more wear/tear then you want and/or the seller may think scratches/worn areas are no big deal. If her item is sold or you can't agree on the terms, I would just keep looking and you will likely find someone else with the items you are looking for.

 

[DuskKodesh]

If they ask you to pay up front sight unseen it very well could be a scam, also never trust anyone who asks to send confirmation codes or any such thing to your phone. I pack cash and meet in a public location if the item is portable. If it's not bring a friend along with you to see the items.

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Nope, don't pay for the table before you inspect it. If the woman insists, continue to search.

DW occasionally buys stuff on FB marketplace, and she said there are many flaky people on there, both buyers and sellers. Not really scammers, just sellers who think their junk it worth way more than it really is, and buyers who want all kinds of concessions, like holding the item for a week and/or free delivery.

 

[Sinder]

No way would I pay upfront.
Just respond by saying that paying up front does not work for you.

 

[SC Minnie]

Do not pay up front. Just this week someone on one of the local pages paid up front for an item and the address the person gave her for pick up wasn't hers. There are a lot of ways people can scam you.

 

[tvguy]

My daughter bought a house two years ago and much of her furniture came from Estate Sales. She prefers to see items before she buys them, and then if she wants it, cash and carry.

 

[tzolkin]

Absolutely would not pay before seeing the item. One, because items are often not as described or don’t look at all like the picture so you may not even want it. And, two, how do you know it’s not a scam?

I can understand someone wanting payment in order to hold an item, but that’s why 99% of people do not hold things (because almost no one will pay without seeing). You made an appointment for 4:30 and if someone else comes at noon with cash then they will get the sale.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

OP here,
Thank you everyone. I messaged the lady back and told her I wouldn’t pay up front. If the table sold before I got there then it wasn’t meant to be, and I’d message her at 3:30 when I got off work. If the table was still available, I’d drive over to pay and pick it up.

Everything went perfectly. She had a few other folks interested, but I got there first. The table was in good condition - sturdy and the perfect size. So I Venmoed her the money, and she helped me put it in my car. Turns out she was frantic to get it sold and hauled away because she had sold her house and needed everything moved out by the closing tomorrow. I got my daughter a great farmhouse table for $40! She loves it

 

[1GoldenSun]

Facebook Marketplace can be a real hassle but I've always found that the deals that do work out far make up for those that don't.

I'm glad you got a great price on a table your daughter is happy with! I don't know about you, but I get more satisfaction out of items that I got a bargain on than those for which I had to pay full price.

 

[Imzadi]

OP here,
Thank you everyone. I messaged the lady back and told her I wouldn’t pay up front. If the table sold before I got there then it wasn’t meant to be, and I’d message her at 3:30 when I got off work. If the table was still available, I’d drive over to pay and pick it up.

Everything went perfectly. She had a few other folks interested, but I got there first. The table was in good condition - sturdy and the perfect size. So I Venmoed her the money, and she helped me put it in my car. Turns out she was frantic to get it sold and hauled away because she had sold her house and needed everything moved out by the closing tomorrow. I got my daughter a great farmhouse table for $40! She loves it

Glad it worked out for you. In the future, be aware, Venmo doesn't do refunds. A money transfer is final, unless that person creates a transaction to send money (back) to you. Many scams are done through Venmo because they don't get involved in returning money, even when the police are involved and say a person was scammed. Venmo is the modern day version of Western Union. Once it's sent, it's done.

Alternately, you could have shown up and found the table not to your liking, as it was all beat up or something. And the Seller could have said, "Tough ****! You took your chances. No refunds." And you'd be out the money.

 

[mom2rtk]

That's nuts. Dealing with no-shows is part of the deal when you sell stuff like this.