How to Get Paid Safely When Using Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is a great way to sell unwanted items. With no transaction fees like other e-commerce platforms, it’s straightforward and displays your for-sale items to thousands of users. However, Marketplace doesn’t have a built-in payment feature. It’s up to the buyer and seller to agree on an acceptable form of payment.

Naturally, sellers are wary of not getting paid. With so many online scams, they have to be careful when it comes to payment methods. In this article, we’ll discuss the best ways to get paid when a listing sells on Facebook Marketplace.

Safest Ways to Get Paid When Using Facebook Marketplace

Once you’ve got a confirmed buyer, the next step is for them to pay you. This is the most important part of the transaction, so you want to ensure that you’ll get paid in the safest way possible. Never ship an item before receiving payment. Although most Marketplace buyers are honest, scammers are in the mix. To prevent any issues, here are the most reliable payment methods to use.

Arrange for a Local Pickup

Facebook Marketplace is designed for local sales. The listings default is set to a 40-mile local radius. Although users can broaden the search range, its maximum search radius is 100 miles.

If you’re meeting the buyer in person, you can ask to be paid in cash. This will eliminate any type of online payment scam. You can also use your preferred person-to-person online method of payment. Apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Google Pay are popular. However, some may charge a transaction fee. Arrange for the buyer to send payment via the app, and once you receive confirmation, you can give them the item.

Always meet the buyer in a public place. A local coffee shop or retail store, places where there’ll be other people around are good choices. Some police stations allow people to meet in their parking lots to ensure everyone’s safety. If you’re feeling uncomfortable meeting a stranger, you always have the option of bringing a friend with you.

Online Payment Methods

When meeting a buyer in person or for items you have to ship, an online payment app is a safe and secure way to receive payment. Google Pay, Apple Pay, Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are all good options. They’re reliable and don’t directly reveal your banking information to the buyer.

Since the buyer will contact you via Facebook Messenger, it makes sense for them to pay you through the app. Although not directly linked to your Marketplace account, buyers can pay using this method. Messenger will allow you to send and receive money using PayPal or a Mastercard or Visa debit card.

If you don’t already have this option set up on Messenger, here’s how to do it using an Android or an iPhone:

1. Launch the “Facebook” app.
   
2. Tap the three horizontal line.
   
3. Scroll down and find “Settings & privacy” then select “Settings.”
   
4. Tap “Payments.”
   
5. Locate and click “Facebook Pay.”
   
6. Choose “Add Payment Method.”
   
7. Press either “Credit or Debit Card” or “PayPal.”
   
8. Enter the required information and hit “Done” when completed.
   

You can now accept payments directly from the Messenger app, and the funds will go directly to the account you’ve set up in Facebook Pay. Here you can request payment from the buyer. If you’re uncertain how to do this, follow these steps:

1. Launch the Messenger app and open the chat with the buyer.
   
2. Tap on the “+” icon located just under the chat window on the left side of the screen.
3. Select the “Dollar Sign” icon.
   
4. Click the “Edit Amount” button and enter the payment amount.
   
5. Hit “Pay.”
   

The buyer will receive a payment request and can easily pay you for the Marketplace item they want to purchase.

Things to Consider When Accepting a Marketplace Payment

To ensure that you’re getting paid for a Marketplace sale safely, there are a few things that you should be aware of. As stated above, receiving payment in cash or using a person-to-person online app are the safest ways to get paid. However, some Marketplace buyers may want to pay you via other means. To safeguard your payment, here are some things to consider when accepting other methods.

• Payments via the mail

Some buyers may not want to use online apps for payment and would rather send you a check. If you agree to this form of payment, don’t mail the item until after you’ve received the check and it’s been cleared by your bank. Unscrupulous buyers could cancel payment on the check before it’s cashed.

Another thing to consider when accepting payments by mail is that you’ll need to give the buyer an address to mail the payment to. This will reveal your home address, which is something you may not want to do. If you’re uncomfortable with accepting payments through the mail to your home, consider purchasing a post office box from your local post office.

• Ensure payment means are legitimate

If a buyer prefers to make payment with a cashiers or certified check, this could be a red flag. These types of payments may be counterfeit. With a variety of trusted apps and online banking services, payments by check are outdated. Be wary of a buyer wanting to pay by these means.

Don’t accept gift cards as a form of payment, as these can also be counterfeit and unusable. Gift cards are meant to be used as gifts, not as a payment form. Buyers insisting on paying with a gift card are most likely trying to scam you.

• End contact with a buyer you’re uncomfortable with

Thankfully, you have no legal contract with a prospective Marketplace buyer. If you’ve agreed to sell your listing to a buyer, under no circumstances do you have to provide the item before they’ve made payment. Buyers who harass or insist on a form of payment you’re uncomfortable with have no legal right to force you to accept their terms.

If this happens to you, end the conversation and don’t engage with them any further. If your contact with them has been on Facebook Messenger, you can block them. This will prevent them from trying to continue the conversation.

To block someone on Messenger, follow these steps:

1. Open the chat with the person you want to block.
   
2. On the top of the screen, tap on their “Profile Photo.”
   
3. Scroll down and select “Block.”
   
4. If you feel they’ve been abusive, you can also click on “Report” and provide Facebook with information about the incident.
   

Marketplace Safe Payment Methods Revealed

Ensuring you get paid safely for a Marketplace listing is of utmost importance. Although most people have a good experience selling items via the platform, sellers should be aware of possible scammers. Only accept trusted online payment apps such as Google Pay or Venmo. Cash is a safe payment method if you meet the buyer in person for a local sale. However, always meet in a well-lit and busy public location.

Have you ever experienced problems selling via Facebook Marketplace? How did you resolve the issue? Let us know in the comments section below.