How to Use Facebook Privacy Settings : The Facebook Marketplace is a great way to get rid of your old junk and make a few bucks or to pick up awesome finds at discounted prices. Unfortunately, there are people out there ready and willing to cheat and rob you. There are also people who love to cause drama and will try to ruin your good name as a seller. Here are a few ways to protect yourself.
But before then let’s talk about the Facebook marketplace
What is Facebook marketplace?
Marketplace is a user-friendly forum that allows people to explore, buy, and trade in stock. It connects retailers and shoppers and enables them to capitalize on the existing synergy on Facebook from the comfort of their homes.
Where is this marketplace?
There’s no need for you to download a separate app as it’s already there on both Android and iOS devices.If you haven’t come across it before, there’s no need to panic; it’s not too late to jump on the wagon. Constant updates alter the icon’s exact location, but you can usually identify it by a small store logo somewhere on the screen.
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Clicking on it will reveal a list of the latest items close to you with accompanying images, which you can tap for further details.
What are the categories?
The options available for detailing your merchandise are concise and afford buyers the ease to perform detailed searches. Finding goods may be done categorically, or by searching for specific items. The following categories are followed:
- Classifieds
- Clothing & Accessories
- Deals
- Entertainment
- Family
- Hobbies
- Home & Garden
- Housing
- Vehicles.
It also shows that a lot of people think their old phones and laptops are worth a lot more than you should pay for outdated hardware. Maybe check eBay before you splash too much cash on old tech.
Now here we go:
How to Use Facebook Privacy Settings
Meet up the safe way
Never meet to exchange goods at someone’s house. Do you want to get robbed? Because that’s how you get robbed. Always meet in a public place and bring a friend or two along, just to be on the safe side.
Many police stations have “exchange spots” in their parking lots, so people can meet up safely. Even if your’s doesn’t have a designated exchange area, meeting in the parking lot of your police station, in clear view of security cameras, is the safest way to meet a stranger.
Always exchange at the same time
Never give someone an item and allow them to make payments. Exchanging the money and the item at the same time is always your best bet.
Pro tip: If they say they’ll pay you when they get their tax return, they’ll probably never pay you.
Try before you buy
I’m not talking about trying the item that’s for sale. I’m talking about the seller. Before posting that you want an item, click on the person’s profile and look for the telltale signs of a scammer.
Here’s what to look for:
- Does the person live in your area? If they are on a local sale page but don’t live near you, that’s a red flag.
- Do they have a lot of friends or just a few? Scammers tend to have either just a few friends, or a lot of friends with names that sound made-up.
- Do a quick reverse image search on their profile picture. If it comes up as someone else, you know you’re dealing with a scammer.
- No personal picture is a bad sign, too. If their profile picture is of a car, flower or some other inanimate object, be wary, especially if they exhibit other signs of a scammer.
- Spammy links– like links to porn sites or weight loss pill sites– in their public posts are another warning sign.
Research your item
Before you sell and before you buy, always do your research. See what the item is selling for new.
If you’re buying, ask how old the item is and if there are any defects. Then compare the offering price to the price you would pay at a store. If it just doesn’t seem like a good deal, then pass.
Sellers, you should list your price appropriately. If the item is brand new, still in the box, discount it a few dollars. The older it is and the more damage it has, the more you should discount the price. A good way to give the fairest price is by checking around the Marketplace. Take note of what other sellers are pricing similar items for and get as close as you can to those prices in your listing.
Pricing poorly can lead to angry comments at best and ruin your reputation as a seller at the worst. Some people actively hunt down posts by sellers they don’t like and try to sabotage sales. So, it’s best to stay on people’s good sides by being fair and honest.
Show proof
This tip is from a hardcore Marketplace buyer and seller: show potential customers proof. Don’t just snap a photo of the item. Go the extra mile. A picture of receipts, labels and appraisal letters will help you get top dollar for your item.
For example, if you’re selling a vintage Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, then you should include a photo of the dress’s label in your post. People need proof. Without it, buyers may think you’re sketchy and lowball your price.
Use common sense
Ultimately, perhaps the most important safety equipment you can bring to the Marketplace is your own common sense. Whether you are buying or selling, weigh the risk against the reward for each potential transaction. By bringing these sales into Facebook, you gain a measure of convenience but give up some of your privacy by putting out identifiable data
Currently, Facebook Marketplace is brand spanking new. I for one am excited to see its evolution. Emm notes that he sees some type of regulation on the part of Facebook in the Marketplace’s future: “If I buy through the Amazon Marketplace, I’m offered the same protections as when I buy through Amazon, or another store — buyers and sellers don’t see each other’s details; the buyer doesn’t pay the seller directly; and if anything goes wrong, Amazon acts as guarantor. In the end, I think Facebook will be obliged to regulate the marketplace to one degree or another.”