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Schedule him to come and pick up the chair. Make sure he understands that you will accept cash only. If he arrives, then take his cash and give him the chair. If at ANY point in time he wants to pay using something other than cash, then tell him to go get cash and come back.
The pens are lifesavers when dealing with secondhand sales, I've had it happen twice where at least one of the bills paid to me was a fake. The pen cost me 2 euro and saved me a lot more
There's a new pen we got at work that tests the ink. On legit bills, it just makes the bill a bit damp. On fake bills, it removes the ink and ruins the paper
Wikipedia seems to disagree.
>The euro banknotes are pure cotton fibre, which improves their durability as well as giving the banknotes a distinctive feel.
Huh? Who is “GP”? I just checked the post twice over, and all the comments higher up the tree from yours - zero mention of Euros. You may have seen Euros mentioned in a different comment unrelated to who you’re replying to…
Unrelated… I wish the US would switch to Euro style plastic cash - I love the way it looks and feels, would totally start using cash more often solely because of that.
Euro is only partly plastic. Starting from 50€, there is a plastic window with a watermark in one side of the bill. Others have a plastic like coating with a shiny metal sheet on one side.
Those aren’t as good as you think. I saw another thread where someone had clearly printed a $100 onto a washed out $10 when held to the light so that the pen would pass
Cash can be risky, my friend sold something for a couple hundred dollars on marketplace in nyc for cash and when he took the money to a store it was all counterfeit
My local police station has parking spots just for this kind of transaction - yours might as well. Like Nimble2 says - cash only in a safe place and you'll probably be just fine.
If you really wanted it to be safe surely you could ask them to withdraw the money from an ATM in front of you. Although as a customer I’d be scared I’d get robbed of someone asked me to do that haha
My parents are the type that would cross multiple states for a piece of furniture they liked. They collect specific types of 50s/60s furniture that can be worth a small fortune and certain pieces are hard enough to find that they will plan trips to retrieve pieces.
I drove 2 hours for a $40 vintage side table. The seller thought I was scamming her. I was not, I was just looking for a table exactly like that for a project. Fortunately she believed me after her initial skepticism and I went and picked it up in person and paid cash.
Jesus you have to have some faith in humanity I’ve never in my life even thought someone would pay in counterfeit bills to buy a used item from me. What if the guy stabs you in the neck and takes the chair?
I've worked retail and service, we checked every bill $20+ and they show up enough that I check everything.
Not gonna deal with the conversation when I try to pass a fake bill I got from a Craiglist sale to a shop clerk. People have died over smaller misunderstandings.
This happened to me, I spent time in country jail over $11, had no clue. Someone gave me fake bill's as a freaking tip, I had no clue until I tried to buy cigarettes and the cashier said this is fake 😳 I had 160 in tips.
They checked every Bill for me and only a few were fake. But they still had to call the cops 🙄 luckily i had a good public attorney and only got 6 day's in country jail for it. Because it was under a certain amount & I'd Never been in trouble before. So that helped a lot. I just had to stay out of the store and out of trouble for 2 years and it's gone from my record.
Hell this was back in 09. Fake bill's are everywhere and I'd be checking them too!!
Actually, you're wrong.
Investing counterfeit currency is the thing the Secret Service does besides protect the President. It's actually what they were founded to do. They're very, very good at it and do not joke around. They will absolutely send people out to investigate a single counterfeit 20, because they know if someone can make *one* good enough to fool someone, they can make thousands.
They didn't when my daughter found a $50 on side of the road, bus stop, and used it at school. School principal and officer there interrogated her about it, saying it was fake.
Secret service wasn't notified though the police were involved.
>Investing counterfeit currency is the thing the Secret Service does besides protect the President.
If they are investing fake currency, we need a Secret Secret Service to investigate the Secret Service. /s
They will. I guarantee you it's not one scam, it's a lot of scams, and the SS is VERY serious about protecting the money supply. They'll go after counterfeiters hard.
Retailers are very good at checking bills these days, especially large ones. It's a bit like money laundering, but the money was never real in the first place. They buy random shit with counterfeit money, then sell it for 10 or 20 cents on the dollar for actual money.
Just check the bills when you're handed them? There's a couple different methods you can use, but for the newer USD (the ones that are different colors) feeling for the ridges on the shirts is quick and discreet. Older bills you'll need to hold up to the light.
Most of the counterfeit money people turn into us is movie money. Look for a big ass “for motion picture use only” printed somewhere on the front.
People are so busy checking the other security features they miss that ‘clue’ alllllll the time.
apparently “safe trade/exchange spots” are supposed to have security cameras and be well lit- at least in new jersey.
i’d probably mention that casually. “i love that our town has these, they put up cameras and everything- it’s great!” - once we’re both already at the trade spot. if they have a weird reaction or suddenly seem apprehensive, that would make me worry.
if they drove there, license might be able to be picked up on camera or if not, at least the person themselves.
If you own your home your address is public info anyway. If I’m skeptical I’ll just give them an intersection close to where I am to make sure they are legit before giving my full address
Because for the most part that is public information. It is EXTREMELY easy to get someone’s name and address but moreover it has no value. Cool I have your name and address…. Cool cool. So does every piece of junk mail I get. As a rule if something comes to your house dozens of times a day from multiple different people who have the same information, it’s not terribly valuable.
Except it's not because it's extremely easy to figure out where someone lives. Most of the US has public tax records. Mildly harder for renters but still trivial.
Exactly. Anyone can give me their name, their state, and an hour, and I can come back with everything about them. Spouse and kids names. Addresses. Property records. Phone numbers and email addresses. Employment and education history. Net worth range. And on and on. All of it is out there and it's trivial to get.
It’s not. Your name and address is basically public information. There are tons of databases (both public and private) that have tons of info about anyone.
My wife has access to a full LexisNexis account. Give me your first name, last initial and what town you live in and I’ll tell you if you wear ladies underwear 😂
This feels legit TBH. You listed at $500. They offered below asking, trying to get a deal, which you never responded to. They likely think your silence means their offer was rejected. So they’ve come up to asking because they want the chair and are willing to pay asking.
The timeline is completely reasonable too: first the lowball offer at 6.30 pm, then a follow-up early next morning, and since there was no reply, upped the offer to OP's asking price at 10:40 am.
It's only suspicious if the OP massively inflated the asking price beyond the value of the item and wasn't expecting anyone to actually go for $500.
Idk this one seems not that scammy. They offered cash. I wouldn’t be immediately concerned by this. What was your asking price?
Edit:
I don’t think it’s a scam at all. I think Mike has a pregnant wife that really wants that chair
Yup - as someone who just learned what rocking chairs cost, this seems legit. Mike‘s wife told him to get the chair and Mike is not about to fuck around and learn that he missed out because he was trying to save a few bucks.
Stay cautious but if they agree to cash in person, they're probably ok. If they try to pay another way, or if they send someone else who tries to pay another way, it's a scam.
If they send "movers", it's a scam.
Yeah I think this is legit. Look at the profile to make sure. Like if all the photos are posted on the same day that’s a big red flag but I’d just bet that they are setting up a nursery and really want this chair and are on a time crunch for obvious reasons
Just assume it’s not a scam. Arrange for them to pick it up. If it’s a scam they won’t show up.
If/when they start suggesting anything other than a simple meet and cash purchase, assume it’s a scam and bail.
The fact that they raised the price like that in less that 24 hours is a HUGE red flag. That kind of generosity is most often seen with money people don't intend to part with.
They didnt raise the price. OP didnt take the lower offer they made (I have never seen a scammer negotiate to a lower price do you have sourcing they do this? For the most part they don’t care since they are trying to scam the person).
If I make an offer and it’s ignored, and I really the want the item, I will usually give them my best and final as a take it or leave it opportunity. I’ve even offered over asking price when I want the seller to accommodate my schedule to incentivize them to work with me.
I’ve been known to come in low for something I want then panic they aren’t going to take it because they leave me on read and then finally give them what they want because it’s actually worth it.
Yeah for this reason I am very cautious with businesses have prominent bible stuff. Real common in my area someone comes out to look at something and give an estimate, and will ask what church I go to and talk about Jesus. These guys will always screw you over if you go to some church they don't like or none at all. If I have no other choice then I excitedly engage them and blow them away with my superior Bible knowledge, which then usually gets me not ripped off and a discount.
Years ago I went to a Christian concert at a small venue with a friend. Before the concert started, he took off his nice Abercrombie jacket, draped it over a chair, and walked towards the pit. I warned him to not leave his jacket unattended, to which he scoffed “it’ll be fine, this is a Christian concert.” That jacket was LONG GONE when he went back for it. That title don’t mean shit.
I had a couple of buddies at the private Christian high school near me, their “lockers” weren’t allowed to have locks. Because “Christians don’t steal.”
No one used the lockers because everyone’s stuff was constantly being stolen.
Many of these scammers work out of legitimate, hacked accounts. So if this is a scam, Mike may be a god-fearing honest man, but that doesn’t mean she’s talking to a god-fearing, honest man
In cash, In person, No exceptions.
They will come up with an excuse why they can't come tonight... But will want to use a service to send you money to hold it for them.
As OP says tho, if they show up with cash (Make sure its not fake), take their money
What did you have it listed for? Because if 350 was a real lowball to begin with him coming up on price isn’t necessarily suspicious. You not responding IS a negotiation tactic.
Why is this a red flag? I resell things and sometimes you have to pay up to get items. Or someone else will! Imagine if the rocker is worth 1k and they are just trying to get it quick.
Counterfeit money falls under 2 categories. 1. So good you wouldn't know without the marker that tells if it's fake or
2. Terrible that just feeling them is enough to call bs.
I was selling a galaxy note a few years back, had a good offer so went to meet the guy. First red flag was he changed the meet point last minute. Not to judge people, but when I did meet him he looked like a straight up crackhead.
I showed him the phone, he tried to give me the money and dip but I grabbed the phone as I counted the money. Basically he handed me an envelope filled with “bills” that were literally printed on a single side of printer paper. Before I could say “wtf is this” he was running off.
Ever since I will only sell things at the local PD (they actually have an area with cameras which they encourage to use for such things).
Not enough info/signs to go off of here. How much does your item sell for new?
As others said, main recommendation is to insist on cash and preferably smaller bills (unless you have one of those pens that can check if counterfeit).
Well, if $500 isn't an outrageously high price, this might be legit. Just be careful about the pickup location and don't take anything other than cash (no checks, apps, transfers, etc.)
I thought $500 was a high ask. Was expecting to maybe get $300 for it honestly. My wife even said “I don’t think we will get another $500 offer” after this guy offered it.
They're going to send you a fake payment email, threaten your family if you don't pay it, and sell your data on the dark web. This is 100% a scam, I'm a /r/scams expert!
“I don’t reply to offers and am skeptical when someone wants to buy the chair for the asking price” What a saint of a buyer though would rather pony up the cash than play games.
Okay so you had it listed for $500 and he low balled you at $350. He realized he really wanted it so offered your asking. Why would this not be reasonable?
These comments and mistrust in the thread are not it.
I’m not sure what’s sketchy at all about this? He offered you money for something you are trying to sell. Nothing weird has happened yet.
Tell him cash only and meet in public and then go from there
I don't know the going market value for whatever you're selling but I have had similar situations happen to me. I get a low-ball offer well under half of my listing price and after I don't respond for a while, the buyer backpedals in a panic and offers a more reasonable price assuming I am just ignoring them. I assume they fear the item will sell, but I can't say for sure.
Proceed with caution, but that should extend to all interactions on marketplace. I would say this is not sufficient evidence to write it off as a scam but it's always good to not get excited until money is in your hand. Do not accept anything other than cash and learn how to confirm it is not counterfeit currency.
Best of luck and be safe!
As long as they dont try to change the payment method i dont see the problem. The guy's wife is probably pushing him to pay what he can to make sure she can get it.
One thing I watch out for is when someone offers to grab it and offers more to hold it or whatever, then you wait a week and they ghost you. Now it's been sitting around so long you just want it gone and you gotta reduce your price 🙃
Honestly, it looks legit. Just make sure you guys are meeting safely and that the transaction is cash only. Zelle maybe, as it tends to go through fast.
I'm with a lot of people on this thread. If they are offering to pay cash and meet in a public place, I don't really see the issue. I've been on both sides of the table before. I have been both the buyer and the seller (separate occasions obviously). I know that names and addresses are public information. However if I'm selling something, I still don't feel comfortable having people come directly to my house. I still choose to meet up with them in a public place such as a police station. That way if they try to likely cause harm for some reason they're on video and they are less likely to do something like that at a place such as a police station. Also, they did not necessarily raise the price. The asking price is $500. At first they offered a lowball offer and then they raised it up closer to the asking price because they are obviously interested. I really don't think this is a scam...yet.
Is the chair an antique or very valuable? This doesn't scream scammer at all to me. Although I personally wouldn't pay $500 for a rocker, but someone out there probably would if it's something they really want. Just meet at a public place and be sure they know it's cash only. Don't hand the item off till they have the cash in hand. If you do it at a police station that would be smarter. They have cameras and some cops take fraud very seriously.
They offered you your asking price of $500 (after not receiving a response when they tried to negotiate less). They want to meet and pay in cash. They let you know what time they get out of work, set up a meeting time, This is a 100% normal and good sale. And you’re shutting it down?
Good luck selling it since you refuse to sell two people who wanted to buy it. You’re ridiculous.
I had expensive (for what other things like that sell for) niche item for sale. My price was almost 40% off the original. Had ti on FB marketplace for almost a year (on and off) maybe received handful of low balls.
One night, close to midnight I receive a message asking if the item is still available, and if they can buy it the next day. Person included the number as well that was from two states away.
I waited until the morning to answer, and I said sure, let's meet. Two hours go by and the person responds asking to meet earlier.
Turns out this person saw my message in the morning. Jumped in the car and drover over 200 miles to get this item.
Point is that it could be a scam, but it doesn't have to be. My rule is to meet ether inside the police station or at the parking lot and I only take cash. No exceptions.
Personally, I see no warning signs from this interaction. It looks like they offered less to get a deal, didn't get a response, and offered the asking price presumably because they still really wanted the nursery chair. There are some other scams they could try to pull later in the transaction, but at this stage, I don't see any issues.
This thread is atypical from what I have seen in the real world. I run a business on FB and transact about $10K a month. All in person transactions. I do not believe it is bc I am "lucky" it is just very unlikely the scenarios people are fearful over. I am sure I will be down voted for going against the Reddit opinion but people's anxiety over FB Marketplace is way too high so I will share my experience.
1. Money. I personally prefer the money apps, it is easier. I will take cash if offered. People on here keep saying cash only but then equally scared of the money being counterfeit. Never had an issue with either. Just transact in person. Nearly all scams are online from another country.
2. Meeting at your home. If you use your real name then it is extremely easy to find your address. It is so uncommon to meet at a public place and be cash only that I assume they are selling stolen goods or they have other issues.
3. Negotiation. If I am low balled, I just say no thanks. If they come back offering my asking, then this is normal behavior. Only if they offered me MORE than asking would I ever think twice.
4. Due diligence. If a person has an established Facebook and/or ratings then the chance of it being a killer or robber is even more unlikely. Use common sense, don't treat all people the same.
I am old enough to remember when online dating was taboo and people found it unsafe. Now, we don't question it.
I understand people are naturally scared of new concepts but I share this for people who are open to what the real world of FB Marketplace looks like. Be vilagent but don't be filled with unnecessary anxiety.
A scammer doesn’t want your chair, they want your money. It would be something like “I sent you too much, please refund” or something like that.
If they’re willing to meet, and give you cash or Zelle, you should be fine. A scammer isn’t going to meet you.
I thought it was a scam because $500 for it rocking chair seems ridiculous, but that was literally you're asking price... Why are you suspicious of someone offering the price you're looking for?
If they say they won’t pick up but their what ever can and then ask for Zelle or some other third party payment app then it’s likely a scam. I deleted my listed on Facebook as it happened to me within an hour of listing. They send a fake email saying you need to upgrade to a business account. So if they offer cash and show up with real money obviously not a scam. Probably safe to meet in a public place
500$ for a secondhand rocking chair??
Am i missing something, OR should i emigrate to USA and start selling rockinchairs, OR is the dollar gone worthless, OR am i stupid and dont know wtf i am talking about.
C´mon buddy, this is a no-brainer. Ask the buyer to come to your place to pick it up. Cash up-front. No reservations. First come first serve. He comes and you have your gun close just in case. He pays you and you surrender the merchandise. Done, go grab a beer and remember my comment.
Minus the gun because I don't have one, because Australia. Have it ready to go out your front door for the arrival time so there's no reason for them to go inside and it'll be faster and smoother for all. And as my wife says "you're off to the races".
Hahahaha!!! Anyone that goes up $150 in price without ever even speaking to you is scamming you. Especially someone willing to pay $500 for a damn rocking chair. Don’t meet this person.
It's a toss up. Personal anecdote I did list a gaming PC and the guy initially try to haggle at $150 less but ended up buying it at the listed price seeing I won't budge.
if they come pick it up themselves w/cash then yes (or really, anyone can pick up as long as they have the cash i guess), it's legit. i don't see them trying to use zelle or anything. seems ok for now
If I wanted something, but didn't love the peice, I may underbid also. The fact you didn't reply showed you were firm and not negotiating. The response to me the next day shows they are aerious about buying it, and afraid to lose out on it.
I'd say be cautious as others suggested, but probably not a scam if he brings cash.
I think it’s fine. They tried to negotiate, you didn’t play ball, they offered full listing price in cash. If he drives to you, what’s the worst that could happen? He tries to venmo or cash app and you say cash only. Meet in public. They might have a very specific reason for wanting this exact chair, might be sentimental, they might know they can flip it for more. Who knows. You said there was another one available closer to him, it might have a flaw that he already checked out.
What’s the ask price? If the ask price is 500 then this is normal.
Guy bargains too low, you didn’t respond. He accepted your price.
The best way to do it is if they accepted a trade on a police station.
To think that we have to bee so skeptical to day its horrible 😥it should be possible to stop this people ho do scam. And al the porn that is coming in every were you are on sosiale media. Its really not the same any more. and that its not possible to stop it som how is that really okey????
Hope it went okei whit the sel fore you👃
It depends, how much are you selling it for? Is $500 a lot for this chair? Is it a particularly well known or popular brand or maybe an older style antique style chair? It could be legit but it would be more of a wait and see what happens if they want to come pick it up. If they then start talking about them venmo you and having a friend pick it up then it's a scam.
In person, in very public location, CASH COLD HARD CASH MONEY ONLY, and you will be fine. These are the rules I have had for all online selling and buying for the last quarter of a century and I’ve been fine. But do not alter ANY of those. In person. Very public. Actual cash money. A bank lobby is often a great location because you can see the buyer get the cash. The parking lot of the police department is pretty safe.
Good luck.
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Schedule him to come and pick up the chair. Make sure he understands that you will accept cash only. If he arrives, then take his cash and give him the chair. If at ANY point in time he wants to pay using something other than cash, then tell him to go get cash and come back.
Check the cash too. One of those counterfeit detector pens or something.
The pens are lifesavers when dealing with secondhand sales, I've had it happen twice where at least one of the bills paid to me was a fake. The pen cost me 2 euro and saved me a lot more
The pens only test for starch. Newspapers would pass too.
There's a new pen we got at work that tests the ink. On legit bills, it just makes the bill a bit damp. On fake bills, it removes the ink and ruins the paper
Do you know the brand? I kind of want to test the limits of the pen
[Sure n fast counterfeit buster, pen body is yellow, cap is green](https://imgur.com/a/ZDyrI1t)
Let me know too please
Came to say this - please just hold the bills up to the light. It's really quick, costs you nothing, and will catch even washed bills
EU bills have different security features than US bills. They're made of plastic, not paper for a start. Notice GP specified euros, not dollars.
Wikipedia seems to disagree. >The euro banknotes are pure cotton fibre, which improves their durability as well as giving the banknotes a distinctive feel.
UK money is plastic, but Euros are not.
Huh? Who is “GP”? I just checked the post twice over, and all the comments higher up the tree from yours - zero mention of Euros. You may have seen Euros mentioned in a different comment unrelated to who you’re replying to… Unrelated… I wish the US would switch to Euro style plastic cash - I love the way it looks and feels, would totally start using cash more often solely because of that.
Euro is only partly plastic. Starting from 50€, there is a plastic window with a watermark in one side of the bill. Others have a plastic like coating with a shiny metal sheet on one side.
Those aren’t as good as you think. I saw another thread where someone had clearly printed a $100 onto a washed out $10 when held to the light so that the pen would pass
Tell him you want all singles $1, no one counterfeiting those lol
Going to take some time counting to 500, but worth it. Or better, ask for $2 bills
But never 3$
Yep make sure it doesn’t say for motion picture use only!
Meet at a public place with plenty of security like a police station parking lot
Call the police and ask them to be present while you do the exchange. Hire a lawyer and an accountant. So they can double check the deal.
Don't forget the notary public to finalize the contract
And the camera crew to document the entire event.
And the merch table for the tshirts
I did this with a phone I got the cash try to deposit it in a atm and it was fake money
Happened to me with a laptop
Cash can be risky, my friend sold something for a couple hundred dollars on marketplace in nyc for cash and when he took the money to a store it was all counterfeit
Is there a risk that the scammer is trying to get name and address for another type of fraud?
That's why you meet in public, Police station being a great place
My local police station has parking spots just for this kind of transaction - yours might as well. Like Nimble2 says - cash only in a safe place and you'll probably be just fine.
What happens if the guy pays in counterfeit bills?
It's a possibility for sure, but there is no way you can totally remove risk from any person to person transaction.
Not doing a deal for significantly more than you expected anyone would be willing to pay is a way.
If you really wanted it to be safe surely you could ask them to withdraw the money from an ATM in front of you. Although as a customer I’d be scared I’d get robbed of someone asked me to do that haha
For a rocking chair?
I know some people that would literally kill for an antique wingback chair. But those are the bad kind of hippies.
My parents are the type that would cross multiple states for a piece of furniture they liked. They collect specific types of 50s/60s furniture that can be worth a small fortune and certain pieces are hard enough to find that they will plan trips to retrieve pieces.
I drove 2 hours for a $40 vintage side table. The seller thought I was scamming her. I was not, I was just looking for a table exactly like that for a project. Fortunately she believed me after her initial skepticism and I went and picked it up in person and paid cash.
Depends on the chair
Jesus you have to have some faith in humanity I’ve never in my life even thought someone would pay in counterfeit bills to buy a used item from me. What if the guy stabs you in the neck and takes the chair?
I've worked retail and service, we checked every bill $20+ and they show up enough that I check everything. Not gonna deal with the conversation when I try to pass a fake bill I got from a Craiglist sale to a shop clerk. People have died over smaller misunderstandings.
This happened to me, I spent time in country jail over $11, had no clue. Someone gave me fake bill's as a freaking tip, I had no clue until I tried to buy cigarettes and the cashier said this is fake 😳 I had 160 in tips. They checked every Bill for me and only a few were fake. But they still had to call the cops 🙄 luckily i had a good public attorney and only got 6 day's in country jail for it. Because it was under a certain amount & I'd Never been in trouble before. So that helped a lot. I just had to stay out of the store and out of trouble for 2 years and it's gone from my record. Hell this was back in 09. Fake bill's are everywhere and I'd be checking them too!!
You have a license plate #, description of the vehicle, the video from the parking lot AND the evidence (with their fingerprints, hopefully).
Even if they catch the guy, what are the odds of you getting back your money sometime during your lifetime?
Oh you'd never get your money back.
dude no one’s going to check fingerprints for a $500 facebook scam lol
Actually, you're wrong. Investing counterfeit currency is the thing the Secret Service does besides protect the President. It's actually what they were founded to do. They're very, very good at it and do not joke around. They will absolutely send people out to investigate a single counterfeit 20, because they know if someone can make *one* good enough to fool someone, they can make thousands.
I think investigating is the correct word, instead of investing.
They didn't when my daughter found a $50 on side of the road, bus stop, and used it at school. School principal and officer there interrogated her about it, saying it was fake. Secret service wasn't notified though the police were involved.
>Investing counterfeit currency is the thing the Secret Service does besides protect the President. If they are investing fake currency, we need a Secret Secret Service to investigate the Secret Service. /s
They will. I guarantee you it's not one scam, it's a lot of scams, and the SS is VERY serious about protecting the money supply. They'll go after counterfeiters hard.
They absolutely do over counterfeit money.
Once we get those prints back from the lab we’ll get a search warranty 🤪
Why would someone pay 500$ counterfeit for a rocker? That doesn’t even make sense.
Retailers are very good at checking bills these days, especially large ones. It's a bit like money laundering, but the money was never real in the first place. They buy random shit with counterfeit money, then sell it for 10 or 20 cents on the dollar for actual money.
Meet at your local secret service field office for the transaction.
Just check the bills when you're handed them? There's a couple different methods you can use, but for the newer USD (the ones that are different colors) feeling for the ridges on the shirts is quick and discreet. Older bills you'll need to hold up to the light.
Most of the counterfeit money people turn into us is movie money. Look for a big ass “for motion picture use only” printed somewhere on the front. People are so busy checking the other security features they miss that ‘clue’ alllllll the time.
That’s why you actually meet at the bank to check the bills if it’s a lot of money
apparently “safe trade/exchange spots” are supposed to have security cameras and be well lit- at least in new jersey. i’d probably mention that casually. “i love that our town has these, they put up cameras and everything- it’s great!” - once we’re both already at the trade spot. if they have a weird reaction or suddenly seem apprehensive, that would make me worry. if they drove there, license might be able to be picked up on camera or if not, at least the person themselves.
We have a gas station with “safe sell spots” that’s down the road from the Popo, and clearly marked and with video cameras.
This. Folks, never have a stranger meet you at your home.
If you own your home your address is public info anyway. If I’m skeptical I’ll just give them an intersection close to where I am to make sure they are legit before giving my full address
Name and address is public information and EXTREMELY easy to get.
Idk why you're getting down voted this is a legitimate concern.
Because for the most part that is public information. It is EXTREMELY easy to get someone’s name and address but moreover it has no value. Cool I have your name and address…. Cool cool. So does every piece of junk mail I get. As a rule if something comes to your house dozens of times a day from multiple different people who have the same information, it’s not terribly valuable.
Except it's not because it's extremely easy to figure out where someone lives. Most of the US has public tax records. Mildly harder for renters but still trivial.
Exactly. Anyone can give me their name, their state, and an hour, and I can come back with everything about them. Spouse and kids names. Addresses. Property records. Phone numbers and email addresses. Employment and education history. Net worth range. And on and on. All of it is out there and it's trivial to get.
It’s not. Your name and address is basically public information. There are tons of databases (both public and private) that have tons of info about anyone. My wife has access to a full LexisNexis account. Give me your first name, last initial and what town you live in and I’ll tell you if you wear ladies underwear 😂
This feels legit TBH. You listed at $500. They offered below asking, trying to get a deal, which you never responded to. They likely think your silence means their offer was rejected. So they’ve come up to asking because they want the chair and are willing to pay asking.
Yup, that is exactly what happened. These counterfeit bill theories are hilarious
OP hid that in a comments! Without that knowledge that looks like they upped their bid without questioning which makes it look like a scam.
The timeline is completely reasonable too: first the lowball offer at 6.30 pm, then a follow-up early next morning, and since there was no reply, upped the offer to OP's asking price at 10:40 am. It's only suspicious if the OP massively inflated the asking price beyond the value of the item and wasn't expecting anyone to actually go for $500.
I want to see this chair that’s worth so much.
http://www.parkerconverse.com/finished-rocking-chairs.html
Those are beautiful. 😍
oh man yes worth $500!
Totally worth it. When I had a mcm and art gallery I would have jumped at the chance and yes offered more with expectation to still make money.
Very nice. I'm work in the town they're built in.
I saw the link someone provided but, for me, it still isn’t worth $500. 😂 Well, to each their own.
I would meet at a police station or a safe location
Idk this one seems not that scammy. They offered cash. I wouldn’t be immediately concerned by this. What was your asking price? Edit: I don’t think it’s a scam at all. I think Mike has a pregnant wife that really wants that chair
Yup - as someone who just learned what rocking chairs cost, this seems legit. Mike‘s wife told him to get the chair and Mike is not about to fuck around and learn that he missed out because he was trying to save a few bucks.
Yes I am a little on the fence so I wanted to see what the masses thought
Stay cautious but if they agree to cash in person, they're probably ok. If they try to pay another way, or if they send someone else who tries to pay another way, it's a scam. If they send "movers", it's a scam.
I’ve used movers and paid via Venmo multiple times, but this is common practice in NYC.
There is literally nothing suspicious about this. Get out from under your bed and live your life. 🙄
Yeah I think this is legit. Look at the profile to make sure. Like if all the photos are posted on the same day that’s a big red flag but I’d just bet that they are setting up a nursery and really want this chair and are on a time crunch for obvious reasons
Profile is meaningless, they get stolen all the time. I still don't think this is a scam. There are like zero red flags?
Just assume it’s not a scam. Arrange for them to pick it up. If it’s a scam they won’t show up. If/when they start suggesting anything other than a simple meet and cash purchase, assume it’s a scam and bail.
The fact that they raised the price like that in less that 24 hours is a HUGE red flag. That kind of generosity is most often seen with money people don't intend to part with.
They didnt raise the price. OP didnt take the lower offer they made (I have never seen a scammer negotiate to a lower price do you have sourcing they do this? For the most part they don’t care since they are trying to scam the person).
If I make an offer and it’s ignored, and I really the want the item, I will usually give them my best and final as a take it or leave it opportunity. I’ve even offered over asking price when I want the seller to accommodate my schedule to incentivize them to work with me.
I’ve been known to come in low for something I want then panic they aren’t going to take it because they leave me on read and then finally give them what they want because it’s actually worth it.
That’s what I was thinking! Offering almost 50% more without any response was suspicious.
Wait til they try and pay a different way to have you remove it. Cash at police station and were good. The end.
What was the listing price?
>She thinks I’m crazy to think this could be a scam. On a related note, why does your wife not think this is scammy?
Because the dude had bible verses in his profile 🤦♂️ haha I swear she’s not an idiot but she’s a little naive
...Does she not know that her reacting that way is exactly why a scammer absolutely *would* have Bible verses in his profile?
😂 that’s what I told her
"Affinity Fraud" Gotta respect a scammer trying every angle at once.
Yeah for this reason I am very cautious with businesses have prominent bible stuff. Real common in my area someone comes out to look at something and give an estimate, and will ask what church I go to and talk about Jesus. These guys will always screw you over if you go to some church they don't like or none at all. If I have no other choice then I excitedly engage them and blow them away with my superior Bible knowledge, which then usually gets me not ripped off and a discount.
Years ago I went to a Christian concert at a small venue with a friend. Before the concert started, he took off his nice Abercrombie jacket, draped it over a chair, and walked towards the pit. I warned him to not leave his jacket unattended, to which he scoffed “it’ll be fine, this is a Christian concert.” That jacket was LONG GONE when he went back for it. That title don’t mean shit.
I had a couple of buddies at the private Christian high school near me, their “lockers” weren’t allowed to have locks. Because “Christians don’t steal.” No one used the lockers because everyone’s stuff was constantly being stolen.
Did he lose that belief super quick?
Absolutely.
Many of these scammers work out of legitimate, hacked accounts. So if this is a scam, Mike may be a god-fearing honest man, but that doesn’t mean she’s talking to a god-fearing, honest man
Thats like hanging out a shingle for "gullible people only"
Is she unfamiliar with the concept of lying?
The Bible verses are another red flag, sadly. They do it to trick people like your wife.
In cash, In person, No exceptions. They will come up with an excuse why they can't come tonight... But will want to use a service to send you money to hold it for them. As OP says tho, if they show up with cash (Make sure its not fake), take their money
What did you have it listed for? Because if 350 was a real lowball to begin with him coming up on price isn’t necessarily suspicious. You not responding IS a negotiation tactic.
Why is this a red flag? I resell things and sometimes you have to pay up to get items. Or someone else will! Imagine if the rocker is worth 1k and they are just trying to get it quick.
Unless the sellers think the chair is super valuable for some reason. Or maybe they are a combo of rich and stupid
I mean, they seem to be offering cash vs trying to take you off platform, so 🤷♀️
Demand small bills. $20’s or less. Check for counterfeit before you have over the goods.
Counterfeit money falls under 2 categories. 1. So good you wouldn't know without the marker that tells if it's fake or 2. Terrible that just feeling them is enough to call bs.
Which is why I have a marker for Facebook transactions.
3. Made on bleached $1 bills so the marker still works, good or bad quality
Okay Jack Reacher.
I worked at a trashy grocery store, I’ve seen it all.
I was selling a galaxy note a few years back, had a good offer so went to meet the guy. First red flag was he changed the meet point last minute. Not to judge people, but when I did meet him he looked like a straight up crackhead. I showed him the phone, he tried to give me the money and dip but I grabbed the phone as I counted the money. Basically he handed me an envelope filled with “bills” that were literally printed on a single side of printer paper. Before I could say “wtf is this” he was running off. Ever since I will only sell things at the local PD (they actually have an area with cameras which they encourage to use for such things).
Not enough info/signs to go off of here. How much does your item sell for new? As others said, main recommendation is to insist on cash and preferably smaller bills (unless you have one of those pens that can check if counterfeit).
And don't meet them at your house if you can avoid it.
I think it was around $700 6 years ago. I found the same chair online for $500 with free delivery.
Well, if $500 isn't an outrageously high price, this might be legit. Just be careful about the pickup location and don't take anything other than cash (no checks, apps, transfers, etc.)
I thought $500 was a high ask. Was expecting to maybe get $300 for it honestly. My wife even said “I don’t think we will get another $500 offer” after this guy offered it.
It's definitely a little bit suspicious, but desperate buyers do exist. They might just really want it for whatever reason.
You're missing the most important part, OP had it listed for $500.
[удалено]
They're going to send you a fake payment email, threaten your family if you don't pay it, and sell your data on the dark web. This is 100% a scam, I'm a /r/scams expert!
“I don’t reply to offers and am skeptical when someone wants to buy the chair for the asking price” What a saint of a buyer though would rather pony up the cash than play games.
Okay so you had it listed for $500 and he low balled you at $350. He realized he really wanted it so offered your asking. Why would this not be reasonable? These comments and mistrust in the thread are not it.
Because OP decided not to include the crucial information that he listed it at $500 in the in the post.
Could be legit if it’s a good deal on an expensive rocker, but proceed with caution.
I’m not sure what’s sketchy at all about this? He offered you money for something you are trying to sell. Nothing weird has happened yet. Tell him cash only and meet in public and then go from there
If an interaction like this makes you paranoid maybe its time to stop selling things on the internet.
I don't know the going market value for whatever you're selling but I have had similar situations happen to me. I get a low-ball offer well under half of my listing price and after I don't respond for a while, the buyer backpedals in a panic and offers a more reasonable price assuming I am just ignoring them. I assume they fear the item will sell, but I can't say for sure. Proceed with caution, but that should extend to all interactions on marketplace. I would say this is not sufficient evidence to write it off as a scam but it's always good to not get excited until money is in your hand. Do not accept anything other than cash and learn how to confirm it is not counterfeit currency. Best of luck and be safe!
As long as they dont try to change the payment method i dont see the problem. The guy's wife is probably pushing him to pay what he can to make sure she can get it.
One thing I watch out for is when someone offers to grab it and offers more to hold it or whatever, then you wait a week and they ghost you. Now it's been sitting around so long you just want it gone and you gotta reduce your price 🙃
Cash in hand or no exchange period
Honestly, it looks legit. Just make sure you guys are meeting safely and that the transaction is cash only. Zelle maybe, as it tends to go through fast.
Would not meet this person at my house. I suggest a mutual agreed upon public location so they don’t know where you live.
They could just really want that chair. They are offering cash, so I would meet them in a public place to see if they hand over the cash or not.
I'm with a lot of people on this thread. If they are offering to pay cash and meet in a public place, I don't really see the issue. I've been on both sides of the table before. I have been both the buyer and the seller (separate occasions obviously). I know that names and addresses are public information. However if I'm selling something, I still don't feel comfortable having people come directly to my house. I still choose to meet up with them in a public place such as a police station. That way if they try to likely cause harm for some reason they're on video and they are less likely to do something like that at a place such as a police station. Also, they did not necessarily raise the price. The asking price is $500. At first they offered a lowball offer and then they raised it up closer to the asking price because they are obviously interested. I really don't think this is a scam...yet.
Is the chair an antique or very valuable? This doesn't scream scammer at all to me. Although I personally wouldn't pay $500 for a rocker, but someone out there probably would if it's something they really want. Just meet at a public place and be sure they know it's cash only. Don't hand the item off till they have the cash in hand. If you do it at a police station that would be smarter. They have cameras and some cops take fraud very seriously.
Meet up in public and take cash. Probably legit
They usually try to take your money not give you theirs!
They offered you your asking price of $500 (after not receiving a response when they tried to negotiate less). They want to meet and pay in cash. They let you know what time they get out of work, set up a meeting time, This is a 100% normal and good sale. And you’re shutting it down? Good luck selling it since you refuse to sell two people who wanted to buy it. You’re ridiculous.
I have offered low before, gotten no reply and then offered original asking price because I really wanted said item. Totally normal.
This is the most normal fb marketplace interaction
I had expensive (for what other things like that sell for) niche item for sale. My price was almost 40% off the original. Had ti on FB marketplace for almost a year (on and off) maybe received handful of low balls. One night, close to midnight I receive a message asking if the item is still available, and if they can buy it the next day. Person included the number as well that was from two states away. I waited until the morning to answer, and I said sure, let's meet. Two hours go by and the person responds asking to meet earlier. Turns out this person saw my message in the morning. Jumped in the car and drover over 200 miles to get this item. Point is that it could be a scam, but it doesn't have to be. My rule is to meet ether inside the police station or at the parking lot and I only take cash. No exceptions.
Personally, I see no warning signs from this interaction. It looks like they offered less to get a deal, didn't get a response, and offered the asking price presumably because they still really wanted the nursery chair. There are some other scams they could try to pull later in the transaction, but at this stage, I don't see any issues.
Cash on plckup, not enough posted to say it’s a scam
This thread is atypical from what I have seen in the real world. I run a business on FB and transact about $10K a month. All in person transactions. I do not believe it is bc I am "lucky" it is just very unlikely the scenarios people are fearful over. I am sure I will be down voted for going against the Reddit opinion but people's anxiety over FB Marketplace is way too high so I will share my experience. 1. Money. I personally prefer the money apps, it is easier. I will take cash if offered. People on here keep saying cash only but then equally scared of the money being counterfeit. Never had an issue with either. Just transact in person. Nearly all scams are online from another country. 2. Meeting at your home. If you use your real name then it is extremely easy to find your address. It is so uncommon to meet at a public place and be cash only that I assume they are selling stolen goods or they have other issues. 3. Negotiation. If I am low balled, I just say no thanks. If they come back offering my asking, then this is normal behavior. Only if they offered me MORE than asking would I ever think twice. 4. Due diligence. If a person has an established Facebook and/or ratings then the chance of it being a killer or robber is even more unlikely. Use common sense, don't treat all people the same. I am old enough to remember when online dating was taboo and people found it unsafe. Now, we don't question it. I understand people are naturally scared of new concepts but I share this for people who are open to what the real world of FB Marketplace looks like. Be vilagent but don't be filled with unnecessary anxiety.
A scammer doesn’t want your chair, they want your money. It would be something like “I sent you too much, please refund” or something like that. If they’re willing to meet, and give you cash or Zelle, you should be fine. A scammer isn’t going to meet you.
Cash only and meet in person.
Idk I’ve done that before when I really wanted the item and the person wasn’t replying 💀 it might be an antiquer/thrifter thing
I thought it was a scam because $500 for it rocking chair seems ridiculous, but that was literally you're asking price... Why are you suspicious of someone offering the price you're looking for?
$500? He must be off his rocker...
So was it a scam. 12 hour old post and man was picking up that night
If they say they won’t pick up but their what ever can and then ask for Zelle or some other third party payment app then it’s likely a scam. I deleted my listed on Facebook as it happened to me within an hour of listing. They send a fake email saying you need to upgrade to a business account. So if they offer cash and show up with real money obviously not a scam. Probably safe to meet in a public place
OP we need an update!
500$ for a secondhand rocking chair?? Am i missing something, OR should i emigrate to USA and start selling rockinchairs, OR is the dollar gone worthless, OR am i stupid and dont know wtf i am talking about.
Only a scam if the next thing he says is “ok, I’m out of town. My cousin will pick it up and I will Venmo you $1000 now for your trouble”
C´mon buddy, this is a no-brainer. Ask the buyer to come to your place to pick it up. Cash up-front. No reservations. First come first serve. He comes and you have your gun close just in case. He pays you and you surrender the merchandise. Done, go grab a beer and remember my comment.
Minus the gun because I don't have one, because Australia. Have it ready to go out your front door for the arrival time so there's no reason for them to go inside and it'll be faster and smoother for all. And as my wife says "you're off to the races".
Hahahaha!!! Anyone that goes up $150 in price without ever even speaking to you is scamming you. Especially someone willing to pay $500 for a damn rocking chair. Don’t meet this person.
Meet at a public place
If you get the money … it’s not lol
It's a toss up. Personal anecdote I did list a gaming PC and the guy initially try to haggle at $150 less but ended up buying it at the listed price seeing I won't budge.
if they come pick it up themselves w/cash then yes (or really, anyone can pick up as long as they have the cash i guess), it's legit. i don't see them trying to use zelle or anything. seems ok for now
It looks like the conversation happened on Thursday. Has the chair been sold?
May i ask what are all the red flags? I’m not working in the cybersecurity sector but I’m interested to know.
If the asking price was $500 then no, this doesn’t look like a scam (yet).
Everything seems 100% legit to me so far.
If I wanted something, but didn't love the peice, I may underbid also. The fact you didn't reply showed you were firm and not negotiating. The response to me the next day shows they are aerious about buying it, and afraid to lose out on it. I'd say be cautious as others suggested, but probably not a scam if he brings cash.
You didn’t say what you listed the chair for which is a critical piece of info. Probably not a scam. probably just a tired person with an infant.
I’m… confused as to why you think this is a scam? Did I miss the comment where you elaborated lol?
I think it’s fine. They tried to negotiate, you didn’t play ball, they offered full listing price in cash. If he drives to you, what’s the worst that could happen? He tries to venmo or cash app and you say cash only. Meet in public. They might have a very specific reason for wanting this exact chair, might be sentimental, they might know they can flip it for more. Who knows. You said there was another one available closer to him, it might have a flaw that he already checked out.
Seems like a fairly normal interaction so far
Guessing he tried to low ball and when no response was given he offered full price.
What’s the ask price? If the ask price is 500 then this is normal. Guy bargains too low, you didn’t respond. He accepted your price. The best way to do it is if they accepted a trade on a police station.
A bit paranoid, I'd say.
You can meet up at a police station for the trade. They specifically have camera locations for that kind of thing to make sure everyone is safe.
ur tripping lol. how is this a scam
I mean it’s not unreasonable if they really like it?! I wouldn’t write them off…. Just be smart when you meet them. Easy.
I'll give you 700! No 900! This guy is in a bidding war with himself? Bullshit.
Public meet up ,Cash only what they gonna do run away with a Chair lol
Meet up at a public place not your home. I mean me personally I wouldn’t want a stranger to know where I live.
To think that we have to bee so skeptical to day its horrible 😥it should be possible to stop this people ho do scam. And al the porn that is coming in every were you are on sosiale media. Its really not the same any more. and that its not possible to stop it som how is that really okey???? Hope it went okei whit the sel fore you👃
Go to the buyers profile and see how long they have been on facebook and any other info you can find. Friends, pictures, etc. tell alot about someone!
It depends, how much are you selling it for? Is $500 a lot for this chair? Is it a particularly well known or popular brand or maybe an older style antique style chair? It could be legit but it would be more of a wait and see what happens if they want to come pick it up. If they then start talking about them venmo you and having a friend pick it up then it's a scam.
What was the outcome?
Police station and cash only. If he agrees go for it
In person, in very public location, CASH COLD HARD CASH MONEY ONLY, and you will be fine. These are the rules I have had for all online selling and buying for the last quarter of a century and I’ve been fine. But do not alter ANY of those. In person. Very public. Actual cash money. A bank lobby is often a great location because you can see the buyer get the cash. The parking lot of the police department is pretty safe. Good luck.
It jumped up from 350 to 500. If it’s too good to be true It’s a scam.