Selling equipment on Facebook Marketplace

phinix

phinix

Suspended / Banned
Messages
1,103
Edit My Images
No
I put out few bits on Facebook Marketplace and started to get lots of interest.
Couple of times already people said they want to buy things, I asked for bank transfer payment upfront (I know its not best way for buyer, but I dont want to be a scammed).
Is it safe to send someone bank details? I guess they won't do anything with it?

I'm asking in case there is some popular scam way I dont know of, as its first time I'm using Facebook marketplace...
 
Giving your account number and sort code is safe. They used to be printed on cheques for years.

Be careful on FB marketplace. It’s unregulated and a free for all so you get no protection if scammed.

I only use it for local sales where I expect the buyer to pickup and pay cash.

Personally, as a buyer I would never transfer my money to some random person on FB before having the goods in my hands.
 
FWIW
I have different accounts for different purposes.

I use one specific saving account, that has only has a very modest amount in it, and that is the one I use to receive any payments such as you describe. NB I don't sell on any platform.
 
Right, now I know its a scammer - he approached me from two different accounts, asking to post it first, giving same address...
 
ecoleman said:
Giving your account number and sort code is safe. They used to be printed on cheques for years.

Be careful on FB marketplace. It’s unregulated and a free for all so you get no protection if scammed.

I only use it for local sales where I expect the buyer to pickup and pay cash.

Personally, as a buyer I would never transfer my money to some random person on FB before having the goods in my hands.
Click to expand...

Yep, thanks for confirming.
I sold few bits locally with cash in hand, but those scammers keep contacting me whole day...
I prefer in person, but they insisted they would make a transfer RIGHT AFTER I post it :D I would also never bank transfer to a stranger, unless is our forum here and guys had lots of good feedback. But still, smaller amounts.

I'll just keep things local.
 
Last edited:
Very scammy place. I managed to sell one car there, this really came as a suprise since the ad was a few months old! Otherwise full of hacked accounts selling hundreds of pretty much the same. You get that on eBay sometimes as well but nowhere near as much
 
Sold XQD cards on FB marketplace with no problems. cash on collection, buyers (local) tested the cards at my house, paid the money and left.

Pentax flashgun sold to a guy in Sweden, paid with no issues but not long afterwards he told me it was not working. It was fine when I sent it off, and told him that and he could return it to me, but then went quiet.
 
FB Marketplace is like the Wild West - don't trust anything.

Only accept payment by a secure method, or collection in person.

In theory, if someone has your bank account details and sort code, plus your name. They either know your location and could probably get a more accurate address, and that information could be used to set up a direct debit mandate. Purchase of an expensive item such as a mobile phone, usually requires other forms of ID though.
 
andrewc said:
FB Marketplace is like the Wild West - don't trust anything.

Only accept payment by a secure method, or collection in person.

In theory, if someone has your bank account details and sort code, plus your name. They either know your location and could probably get a more accurate address, and that information could be used to set up a direct debit mandate. Purchase of an expensive item such as a mobile phone, usually requires other forms of ID though.
Click to expand...
This has to be a reason I give everyone my savings account
 
LongLensPhotography said:
Very scammy place. I managed to sell one car there, this really came as a suprise since the ad was a few months old! Otherwise full of hacked accounts selling hundreds of pretty much the same. You get that on eBay sometimes as well but nowhere near as much
Click to expand...
Yes, that is exaclty what I'm experiencing in last few days! Scammers with hacked accounts. What assholes they are...
 
Sounds like I thought it has to be - in person and cash only.
With every year I more and more convinced that I dont belong to this world, cannot live with those people, should move to Mars, or at least some deserted island and do not make contact with anybody... guess I'm getting old ;)

Thank you all for your input.
 
Last edited:
I've sold a couple of expensive items recently on Facebook Marketplace, camera and lens, I have a standard copy and paste response that I sent to all enquiries of 'is this still available', and it says yes it is, I will only accept buyer collecting and paying by cash or bank transfer, I will not post the item. This weeds out the scammers mostly.
 
Hanley said:
I've sold a couple of expensive items recently on Facebook Marketplace, camera and lens, I have a standard copy and paste response that I sent to all enquiries of 'is this still available', and it says yes it is, I will only accept buyer collecting and paying by cash or bank transfer, I will not post the item. This weeds out the scammers mostly.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I'll do that :)
My scammers, responded they "willing" to pay by BT in advance as long as I pack it up and go to post office and send them photo of posting item at the window and then they will transfer. When I reposponded I wont be able to check at post office my bank account if they made a payment, they stopped pushing. Also, those idiots used different accounts to contact me, but when it came to confirming their postcode to check postage costs, they kept giving me same address...
Seriously, if I had time, I would drive down there and beat them up to a pulp...
 
Last edited:
Sounds like ebay would be better place to sell used equipment.
When you guys sell on ebay, do you declare it once you pass £1K sale?
 
phinix said:
Sounds like ebay would be better place to sell used equipment.
When you guys sell on ebay, do you declare it once you pass £1K sale?
Click to expand...
I steer clear of eBay, I prefer Facebook with local meets to inspect and exchange money.

I declare everything, but as I do photography as a side gig (sole trader) I do a tax return and offset any losses against my regular PAYE income. So as I declare any camera purchase as a cost then it's only right that when I sell it, I declare that on my tax return as income.
I'd hate to get into trouble with HMRC so I declare literally everything, with smaller amounts such as Etsy sales or income from stock photography sites, I add it as I withdraw the money which is normally once or twice a year.
 
Hanley said:
I steer clear of eBay, I prefer Facebook with local meets to inspect and exchange money.

I declare everything, but as I do photography as a side gig (sole trader) I do a tax return and offset any losses against my regular PAYE income. So as I declare any camera purchase as a cost then it's only right that when I sell it, I declare that on my tax return as income.
I'd hate to get into trouble with HMRC so I declare literally everything, with smaller amounts such as Etsy sales or income from stock photography sites, I add it as I withdraw the money which is normally once or twice a year.
Click to expand...

I see, sounds right. But if I'm not a sole trader, I only sell my used stuff, dont have a company, should I do that too?
I mean I do not sell a lot, but now, when selling my Zf body it will be £1.5k.
 
phinix said:
I see, sounds right. But if I'm not a sole trader, I only sell my used stuff, dont have a company, should I do that too?
I mean I do not sell a lot, but now, when selling my Zf body it will be £1.5k.
Click to expand...
The limit is for trading, in simple terms was the gear bought with the intention to make a sale ? I'm assuming not ? As it's not worth more than £6k you can disregard the possible liability to Capital Gains Tax
 
taxboy said:
The limit is for trading, in simple terms was the gear bought with the intention to make a sale ? I'm assuming not ? As it's not worth more than £6k you can disregard the possible liability to Capital Gains Tax
Click to expand...

Yes, I only sell my old stuff there, like I don't even have receipts for most of the items, wouldn't be able to proof anything. Or like this Zf, paid £2k, selling for £1.5K, pure loss.
 
Sounds obvious, but also be wary of people asking to arrange courier to collect/ family member to collect etc.

Always do a bit of due diligence, view the persons profile, are they local, do they look genuine etc. ask questions. I personally wouldn’t buy tech on FB too many red flags

Only use FB to follow certain pages, groups and sell occasionally on Marketplace, I probably look dodgy as I have no friends on FB but that’s because I talk to my friends offline!
 
phinix said:
Yes, I only sell my old stuff there, like I don't even have receipts for most of the items, wouldn't be able to proof anything. Or like this Zf, paid £2k, selling for £1.5K, pure loss.
Click to expand...
The basics of HMRC's rules are laid out in full here...

www.gov.uk

Check if you need to tell HMRC about your income from online platforms

Find out if you need to declare income from selling personal possessions, goods or services online, creating online content or renting out property using digital platforms.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
For camera gear avoid marketplace ,e.bay is now free to sell if your selling your personal effects no tax has to be declared .i.e if you sell for £150 plus £6.50 p&p then you get paid £156.50 no problems ideal for buying as well seamless
 
the black fox said:
For camera gear avoid marketplace ,e.bay is now free to sell if your selling your personal effects no tax has to be declared .i.e if you sell for £150 plus £6.50 p&p then you get paid £156.50 no problems ideal for buying as well seamless
Click to expand...
Why avoid FB Marketplace for camera gear? I've just sold my RF 70-200mm f/2.8L on there for £1,600. I weeded out the usual time wasters and found a nice guy who came round to my house, tested the lens and paid for it.

I also recently sold an iPhone, a drone controller, a pool table, all went as per the above, you just need to have your wits about you, just like on eBay.
 
the black fox said:
For camera gear avoid marketplace ,e.bay is now free to sell if your selling your personal effects no tax has to be declared .i.e if you sell for £150 plus £6.50 p&p then you get paid £156.50 no problems ideal for buying as well seamless
Click to expand...

In the future it is to be the buyer who pays the fees (but won’t know it). So if the going rate for an item is say £200, the seller won’t pay fees when they list but they’ll most likely have to list it at less than that to account for the buys fees. Otherwise if you list at £200 the buyer will see it advertised as say £215
 
Hanley said:
Why avoid FB Marketplace for camera gear? I've just sold my RF 70-200mm f/2.8L on there for £1,600. I weeded out the usual time wasters and found a nice guy who came round to my house, tested the lens and paid for it.

I also recently sold an iPhone, a drone controller, a pool table, all went as per the above, you just need to have your wits about you, just like on eBay.
Click to expand...
Which is great if your aware of all the scams etc and can deal with them .the OP doesn’t seem to be …. advise is given whether it’s acted upon is entirely up to the individual
 
the black fox said:
For camera gear avoid marketplace ,e.bay is now free to sell if your selling your personal effects no tax has to be declared .i.e if you sell for £150 plus £6.50 p&p then you get paid £156.50 no problems ideal for buying as well seamless
Click to expand...
So do they not take a cut from the sale like they used to?? long time since I sold on Ebay and they had a standard fee when you got paid.
 
Ebay have recently done away with listing and selling fees for private people. There are still some fees - for selling cars etc., and I got a small fee on something going overseas recently.

If you are signed up for a business account, there are still fees.

However, on FB today I've had three scams - offering a swap which requires me signing up to a fake facebook place to see the details. And one person offering 40% of the asking price (on a car at £ 12750). Other car advert sites are filled with scammers insisting I provide a vehicle report from a dodgy website.

Its a real minefield, and a nightmare for the non-tech savvy and the elderly.
 
Last edited:
andrewc said:
Ebay have recently done away with listing and selling fees for private people. There are still some fees - for selling cars etc., and I got a small fee on something going overseas recently.

If you are signed up for a business account, there are still fees.

However, on FB today I've had three scams - offering a swap which requires me signing up to a fake facebook place to see the details. And one person offering 40% of the asking price (on a car at £ 12750). Other car advert sites are filled with scammers insisting I provide a vehicle report from a dodgy website.

Its a real minefield, and a nightmare for the non-tech savvy and the elderly.
Click to expand...
Nikon f1.8 said:
So do they not take a cut from the sale like they used to?? long time since I sold on Ebay and they had a standard fee when you got paid.
Click to expand...
They are moving to billing the buyer through the new buyer protection fees. It'll be automatically included in the price the buyer sees, so ultimately the seller will probably list for cheaper to keep things at the right market value.
 
One scam I heard of, is when they do come to collect it and then they pay for it seemingly by bank transfer on their phone whilst there.... they show you the payment on the phone as if it has gone through, but it's not a genuine bank app. If they do this, you need to check it has arrived in your bank before letting them go with your goods.
 
Sorry to be posting again. If you use eBay, just set the sale to collection only. EBay take the payment in advance, working as an escrow, and then when you go to collect it, like with Deliveroo etc, you have to present a QR code or numeric code to the seller and only then will they hand over the goods. By giving you the code, they’re forfeiting any right to return the goods because they’ve agreed it’s been sold as described, so buyer protection iOS no longer available to them. The funds are then released. Just arrange to meet somewhere like a cafe. I don’t want anyone knowing where I live if they know I own expensive toys.
 
Last edited:
Nikon f1.8 said:
So do they not take a cut from the sale like they used to?? long time since I sold on Ebay and they had a standard fee when you got paid.
Click to expand...
Correct quite good at the moment .they seem to have cleaned up there act of late
 
At least with e.bay you have the feedback rating system for both buying and selling . And if buying multiple ways to pay including PayPal credit for bigger purchases .
For selling you get 100% of asking including pp so just research actual postage costs before listing . Facebook is great for selling or buying large bulky items or really cheap ones just ensure it’s door pick up only and cash sales . Do not get involved with PayPal or BT for anything ,nearly got stung the other week woman got to the door said she couldn’t get the cash out so wanted to do a BT told her the bank was 5 minutes away so she declined to buy . The only thing with FB is your selling to a local area as well but if priced right most items go within 24 hours ..
 
Bebop said:
One scam I heard of, is when they do come to collect it and then they pay for it seemingly by bank transfer on their phone whilst there.... they show you the payment on the phone as if it has gone through, but it's not a genuine bank app. If they do this, you need to check it has arrived in your bank before letting them go with your goods.
Click to expand...
Who wouldn't check their own banking app anyway to verify payment has gone through?
I take it one step further, I advise people who are coming to me and are paying by Bank Transfer that I will need to see some form of identification where the name matches the name on the Bank account.
 
Last edited:
the black fox said:
At least with e.bay you have the feedback rating system for both buying and selling . And if buying multiple ways to pay including PayPal credit for bigger purchases .
For selling you get 100% of asking including pp so just research actual postage costs before listing . Facebook is great for selling or buying large bulky items or really cheap ones just ensure it’s door pick up only and cash sales . Do not get involved with PayPal or BT for anything ,nearly got stung the other week woman got to the door said she couldn’t get the cash out so wanted to do a BT told her the bank was 5 minutes away so she declined to buy . The only thing with FB is your selling to a local area as well but if priced right most items go within 24 hours ..
Click to expand...
Why is Bank Transfer any better than cash? You're probably more likely to be scammed by fake notes.
When someone is paying by Bank Transfer there are 2 simple rules, always check your account to ensure payment has gone through and ask to see identification that matches the name on the account.
 
Hanley said:
Why is Bank Transfer any better than cash? You're probably more likely to be scammed by fake notes.
When someone is paying by Bank Transfer there are 2 simple rules, always check your account to ensure payment has gone through and ask to see identification that matches the name on the account.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's exactly what Iw ould ask for. Besides, I dont care if buyer shows me they transferred the money - I need to see it on my bank website that moeny is on my account. Not pending or anything, straight in.
I was also thinking of fake notes when bought with cash - does it happen here in UK often?
 
the black fox said:
At least with e.bay you have the feedback rating system for both buying and selling . And if buying multiple ways to pay including PayPal credit for bigger purchases .
For selling you get 100% of asking including pp so just research actual postage costs before listing . Facebook is great for selling or buying large bulky items or really cheap ones just ensure it’s door pick up only and cash sales . Do not get involved with PayPal or BT for anything ,nearly got stung the other week woman got to the door said she couldn’t get the cash out so wanted to do a BT told her the bank was 5 minutes away so she declined to buy . The only thing with FB is your selling to a local area as well but if priced right most items go within 24 hours .. When selling on Facebook Marketplace, it is very important to be careful with your bank details. Scammers often demand advance payments or overpayments with fake checks, leading to potential losses. Always check that payments have been made before sending. I love to play games and might suggest that for more secure transactions, consider using secure payment methods. They are available on https://icasinoreviews.co.nz/new-online-casinos-nz/ and I look for them there. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be vigilant to protect yourself from common scams.
Click to expand...
I agree; Facebook is great for local deals, but for safety, always stick to cash and avoid online payment methods!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top