Just over a month ago I ordered logs from a seller on FMP. Turns out I’d bought some off him a few years ago and had no issues. because of this I transferred cash, £150
He promised delivery the next day, didn’t show but messaged to ask if he could put it off 24 hours because he was busy on the hills ( local landowner) no show. Since that time there have been many promises but no actual logs. While excuses are somewhat enjoyable! Lost phone in B&Q, was shot ( yeah!)every vehicle he owns has broken etc, it’s now getting chilly and I’d like some logs. I asked for a refund two days ago, hasn’t been in touch since. From what I can figure there’s no way of redress through FMP
WWSTD?
WWSTD?
Ask him if he wants to get shot again.
Common con often reported on my local FB groups.
I believe the traditional answer is frozen sausages, urine and bombers?
FBM offers zero protection to either buyer or seller, it's no different from a small ad on a card in the supermarket. You've just given free money to a complete stranger.
WWSTWD? Pay cash on delivery next time. Is your payment method reversible?
Sounds like he's local and known to you?
A polite knock on the door "sorry mate, I know you've been busy but if I could just have the money back I'll go and get some elsewhere " Much harder to make an excuse in person.
Name and shame?
I do wonder what the point of Facebook marketplace is.
I've seen a few things I'd be interested in, but as soon as you suggest Paypal (I'll pay the fees; zero cost to you) silence descends.
Or arranging a pick up - suddenly the item is not with them 10 miles away, it's with their sister in South Wales.
Like most of the Social Mediums it's "free speech" as an absolute right, but when it becomes illegal no one wants to know.
you have all the normal channels you'd have for any purchase - if he's in the business of selling logs (rather than just some guy who has some logs to get rid of) then you have a local Trading Standards office to report too and resolution could come that way. He has a social media profile attached to the sale that means you have a name, which if you can add an address to it you can use the online Small Claims Court process.
Mention trading standards and small claims as a next step in any coms and see if that focus his mind a little if he really is just being as unreliable and unlucky as he claims rather than deliberately doing you over.
You've dealt with him before with success but its quite possible the account has been hacked and it hasn't been him you've been dealing with this time.
it’s no different from a small ad on a card in the supermarket
The difference being that back in the day an actual human 'sense checked' the adverts before they were put up and any deal was done in person.
I struggle with FB marketplace. On one hand I keep buying things I want from it, so it's useful.
But the useful ads in my area seem to be near 50:50 with scams for beds, cars and stolen bikes. And it is so blatant.
But 'the algorithm' checks anything I complain about and it doesn't get removed.
At what point is FB liable for assisting scammers?
My one and only foray into FB Marketplace and I fell for a scam. Thought I was buying an Exposure light from a fellow mountain biker, sent the money via bank transfer, ( idiot I know), he replied with an apology for the delay in posting, then nothing.
I went through all the reporting procedures on Marketplace but months later the same advert from the same, what I now realize was a cloned account, (idiot I know), was still popping up on Marketplace.
There's no security and no redress on Marketplace. I certainly wont touch it again.
C.
If you think you have been scammed, try getting a refund from your bank – my wife fell for a scam (nearly double-fell for it by requesting a refund via PayPal which would have charged her a second time but I caught it in time – as posted on here).
Anyway, she filled out a form online and got a full refund.
sent the money via bank transfer, ( idiot I know), he replied with an apology for the delay in posting, then nothing.
But this is the issue - FB is a 'global' thing, but I use marketplace as a local buying thing. Face to face, bank transfer or cash only....
but I use marketplace as a local buying thing
well... obviously? That's why the default is to search for stuff near to you. Seems mad to me that people would use it for anything other than face-to-face transactions!
Also, we've (hopefully?) all been trained to practise safe online purchasing over the last 20 years or so, using eBay/paypal and their respective buyer protections, also to use credit cards when purchasing from online sites for Section 75 protection, why has this all suddenly gone out the window and we're now happy just to bank transfer total randos?!
I've bought off FMP for items posted but I do a lot of due diligence and only pay by PayPal for goods.
OP, sounds like you'd have to go see them in person or you might be out of luck. You will sometimes get people who won't want the confrontation so will back down if you actually escalate.
You will sometimes get people who won’t want the confrontation so will back down if you actually escalate.
And sometimes you get nutcases who wouldn't bat an eyelid and happily escalate matters.