If you're looking for holiday-gift bargains, or perhaps considering selling some of your old stuff to fund a shopping spree, the Facebook Marketplace is an appealing alternative to yard sales and flea markets. Show Like any other online exchange (and those in the real world as well), the Marketplace attracts its share of swindlers and scammers. So here are some guidelines for making Facebook's Marketplace a source of cheer, not cheats. What is Facebook Marketplace?Facebook introduced the Marketplace in October 2016, and by May 2017, more than 18 million items were listed for sale in the U.S. alone. The service has since expanded to other countries, and Facebook reports that search volume in the Marketplace tab has grown three times globally since the start of 2017, with more than 550 million people active in buy and sell groups on a monthly basis. The concept is fairly simple: Using information from your profile to determine your location, Facebook shows you an array of items for sale in your area—and lets you list your own goods for sale as well. When a buyer spots an item they want to purchase, they contact the seller via Facebook Messenger and arrange to close the deal. Use of Messenger means traders can do business without exchanging addresses or phone numbers, and Facebook charges no fees for the service. Using Marketplace is easy. Click the Marketplace button at the bottom of the Facebook smartphone app or in the left column of your Facebook homepage. You'll see an array of photos of items for sale, with prices attached. Browse away, or use the filters to narrow the search by item category, price, etc. If you have an item to sell, click the blue "Sell Something" button and fill in the form. Selling via the smartphone app can save you time by letting you snap a photo of your item and attach it to the listing without having to save and upload photos. Be Smart in the MarketplaceHere are five suggestions for ensuring your Facebook Marketplace experience is a good and secure one:
When something's not rightWhen you do business over Facebook Marketplace, you're no more (or less) likely to run into shady characters than you are in the real world, or when you buy and sell items over services such as eBay and Craigslist. Stay vigilant, and walk away if something doesn't feel right. Should you nevertheless find yourself the victim of a scam, you can and should take action:
Facebook Marketplace can be a fun, vibrant source of deals. If you're as vigilant for potential fraud as you are for bargains, you're likely to have a good Marketplace experience. Happy shopping! What is the safest way to get paid on Facebook Marketplace?Don't transfer money directly into a seller's bank account. Instead, offer to use a secure person-to-person payment site, such as PayPal or sending and receiving money in Messenger.
How do I accept payment on Facebook?To add a payment method:. Open your Messenger app.. Tap your profile picture in the top left.. Scroll down and tap Facebook Pay.. Tap Add new debit card or PayPal.. Tap Add Debit Card or Add PayPal.. Enter your payment method information, then tap Save.. How does payment work on Facebook Marketplace?You can use a credit card, debit card or PayPal account to buy items with checkout on Facebook or Marketplace.
Can I get paid through PayPal on Facebook Marketplace?Use your PayPal account to get paid for selling with shipping on Facebook Marketplace. To get paid for your orders sold with shipping, you'll need to link your PayPal or bank account. To get paid through your PayPal account, make sure your account: Is verified by PayPal.
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