Posted 12 December 2019

Selling on FB marketplace - ask for cash or bank transfer?

I want to sell my Iphone X - it's in great condition and worth more via a private sale than the ripoff prices that CEX etc... will pay to buy it and eBay just seems a recipe for disaster with paypal and phones. I live in a small town so no issues with advertising on FB marketplace and having someone come round BUT...what's the safest way of being paid? Bank transfer via online bank whilst they are there or cash? If cash, is there a big risk of fake notes and how best to guard against this? I've not sold something worth hundreds of pounds before like that.
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  1. AndyRoyd's avatar
    Cash only, ideally handed over counter by buyer to teller at your bank with you standing alongside buyer = ultimate safety of the teller checking the cash for bent notes, and you're less likely to be mugged for phone / cash in a bank.
  2. 19DembaBa19's avatar
    I thought I'm paranoid but your on another level. If your not happy with taking risks then sell to CeX for less money and no risk. I used to sell on gumtree and always thought the seller might mug me on my doorstep and I used to refuse to sell to some people. I have so many stuff to sell but can't be bothered to take the risk.
  3. deleted89378's avatar
    Meet up at a Police station and then hand over the item in front of the bemused Police officers.
  4. deleted80858's avatar
    Cash on collection. I think fake notes are very rare. Just make sure you check them properly. Any legitimate buyer will be ok with you checking them.
  5. -Will-'s avatar
    Buy yourself one of those pens that detect fake notes and only ever do cash on collections
  6. -Will-'s avatar
    bluep12/12/2019 19:43

    Unfortunately they don't work on the new plastic notes...so fine if its …Unfortunately they don't work on the new plastic notes...so fine if its old £20sI guess i could say in the ad:- no £50 notes and other notes will be checked for fakeswhich might put anyone nefarious off from bothering?


    I would just wait until they pay and say something like “do you mind if I check these notes can’t be to careful” etc. Done it a few times before & people seem to understand. Just my paranoid mind I suppose lol
  7. nadhaw's avatar
    I think a lot of people shy away from bank transfers nowadays!
  8. andynicol's avatar
    Cash on collection always with FB, Gumtree etc
  9. Sherbat's avatar
    You could ask them to withdraw the money at the bank and you will take it directly from them afterwards but I suppose some most won't be comfortable with that.

    Come to think of it, I sold quite a few items ranging around £100-£300 and never really had a counterfeit note (at least that I know of).

    Wouldn't take bank or paypal personally, just because of the added chargeback risk.

    AndyRoyd12/12/2019 20:09

    Cash only, ideally handed over counter by buyer to teller at your bank …Cash only, ideally handed over counter by buyer to teller at your bank with you standing alongside buyer = ultimate safety of the teller checking the cash for bent notes, and you're less likely to be mugged for phone / cash in a bank.



    That's a good idea - as long as the buyer's willing to do it I guess. For a good price on an expensive item, I wouldn't mind doing that personally. (edited)
  10. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    Why not do bank transfer when he's stood in front of you. No chance of any fake notes then. Although it's a very slim chance anyway. Or he could PayPal you in front of you on collection (edited)
  11. Misslovely's avatar
    When you get the notes you can tell if they are fake or not.
    When someone tried to con me from gumtree he gave fake £20s and iv never seen them before but recognised them by the paper, had lines on and looked thicker
  12. parisp's avatar
    I was going to buy a phone off marketplace the other day. The lady told me cash only and no £50 notes. I wasn’t offended. I’ve also paid for things via bank transfer whilst at the property but asked for permission before I got there x
  13. deleted1452484's avatar
    I buy on facebook market place alot always cash on collection or bacs payment if seller posts to me.

    I bought item few days ago, seller posted it to me before i have even paid said pay when you receive it. Never even bought from them before. Shows how trusting some sellers can be.
  14. bluep's avatar
    Author
    Ok, thanks everyone. I’ll say cash on collection only and no £50 notes. I live in a small town and chance are it will be someone locally as it’s via FB.
  15. databar's avatar
    deleted8937812/12/2019 23:06

    Meet up at a Police station and then hand over the item in front of the …Meet up at a Police station and then hand over the item in front of the bemused Police officers.



    Travel over 40 miles , just to sell a phone........
    my "local" police station is 21 miles away.
    We had station 4 miles away 20 years ago
    hay hoo for progress.
  16. MegMarie's avatar
    I’d say cash only and no £50 just to try and be on the safe side. Hope you manage to sell it with no hassle
  17. Blurryface's avatar
    Working in a bookies its a daily occurrence trying to pass fakes off! £20's are the most easy to spot (paper feel, colour, bad printing etc) the new fake £10's and £5's are almost indistinguishable to most people nowadays they've gotten so good. You'll be fine, just make sure you check and are happy before you give anything over.
  18. bluep's avatar
    Author
    -Will-12/12/2019 19:41

    Buy yourself one of those pens that detect fake notes and only ever do …Buy yourself one of those pens that detect fake notes and only ever do cash on collections



    Unfortunately they don't work on the new plastic notes...so fine if its old £20s

    I guess i could say in the ad:
    - no £50 notes and other notes will be checked for fakes

    which might put anyone nefarious off from bothering?
  19. bluep's avatar
    Author
    MonkeyMan9012/12/2019 21:16

    Why not do bank transfer when he's stood in front of you. No chance of any …Why not do bank transfer when he's stood in front of you. No chance of any fake notes then. Although it's a very slim chance anyway. Or he could PayPal you in front of you on collection


    Definitely not PayPal. That’s a common scam. Buyer gets home and does a charge back via PayPal (saying phone is faulty or blocked or something). Inevitably the seller loses.

    Bank transfer is different - you can’t ask for it back..although I don’t know what the score is if it’s from an account fraudulently (edited)
  20. bluep's avatar
    Author
    Thanks guys. I’m not usually massively paranoid, just it’s like over £400 so just want to be smart about it
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