Buying from Facebook Marketplace and Not Receiving Item

MND on 05/12/2023 - 11:11
Last edited 05/12/2023 - 16:30 by 2 other users

Long story short; purchased a CPU from Facebook Marketplace.

Item comes from an actual business whom is visible on Google and operating in Australia. I have been waiting over a month for this item going back and forth (email and phone) with the business however they are just either busy or plain incompetent to send me this item.

I've got enough documentation to lodge some form of formal complaint however I don't know who to go to! ACCC don't help with getting money back, so I'm seeking advice as to how can I get my money back without forcefully going there and getting it back myself.

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Computing Computer Component CPU Facebook Marketplace

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Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/12/2023 - 11:14
    +17

    however they are just either busy

    what

    op: can you send my order
    business: nah we're too busy
    op: …

    and if they have an actual shop/business…why are you buying it through fb marketplace channel…

  • Presence on 05/12/2023 - 11:18
    +1

    Can you physically attend the store? They can't ignore you that way.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 05/12/2023 - 11:37
      +16

      If op has paid for ozbargain platinum membership he can have the ozbargain bikies come as support team.

  • Mikefr on 05/12/2023 - 11:24
    +2

    Can you dispute payment as goods NOT RECEIVED?

  • djkelly69 on 05/12/2023 - 11:31
    +9

    Are you sure it is the actual business on FBM, and not a scammer pretending to be them?

    How did you pay them for whatever the item is?

    • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 11:45

      How did you pay them for whatever the item is?

      Hopefully not PayID.

  • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 11:46
    +1

    Item comes from an actual business whom is visible on Google and operating in Australia

    Have you CALLED the number listed online and spoken to someone?

  • MND on 05/12/2023 - 11:46

    I have disputed my purchase with the business. They did respond when I sent them an email saying I will be taking further action if they don't respond to me by close of business (which was on a Monday last week).

    I would go there, however it is quite distant for me to do this so this was the reason for email correspondence.

    I was also bit sceptical as to why a business is selling stuff on Facebook market place however the type of business they are in would justify, in my opinion, the use of Facebook to sell used goods.

    I can lodge a complaint with ACCC however all they will do is educate them.

    lastly; Yes I should have dealt with them through PayPal or similar. However it is an Australian business currently operating, got a website, location etc… It provides a service many use (waste removal), I have got responses from an email that is a proper business name and not just an gmail account or similar.

    • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 11:48

      the use of Facebook to sell used goods.

      Whilst that is its intention, it unfortunately is becoming a place for people to scam others.

    • foxmulder on 05/12/2023 - 11:57
      +1

      If you disputed the transaction, why you still bother to go to the business? You may get your goods, but how about after, if it's faulty.

    • ifyareckon on 05/12/2023 - 13:06
      +2

      When you say they are to distant from you, are you talking different state distant, or can't be bothered distant?

  • USER DC on 05/12/2023 - 11:48
    +3

    FB marketplace is like 80% full of scammers, scums, and time wasters.
    I had been scammed in past too, paid like $400 in cash in withdrawl seller never sent goods, bank did dog shit, police is trash, ACCC dont exists to help individuals.
    Never got that money back but learnt the lesson hard way.

    NEVER EVER pay more for items (unless physically there and inspected goods then cash is okay), using any other means than a CREDIT/DEBIT MASTERCARD/VISA CARD issued by your bank. Its the VISA/Mastercard systems who truly helps out in such cases. all others are kinda just crap.

    • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 11:49

      Its also full of people like Deon

      • USER DC on 05/12/2023 - 11:54

        If it helps anyone dont mind exposing that scammer (it was around OCT 2020 tho posted on her already in like sydney marketplace groups)
        some jade mapp
        https://i.imgur.com/LJD2kST.png

        eitherway for your case OP if paid with VISA/MASTERCARD then you're in luck and just do a chargeback (best option) otherwise have little hopes of it

        • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 11:57
          +4

          eitherway for your case OP if paid with VISA/MASTERCARD then you're in luck and just do a chargeback (best option) otherwise have little hopes of it

          Who honestly pays via VISA or Mastercard for a Gumtree/FB Marketplace/Trading Post transaction?

          I've had 1 person pay via PayPal when I sold something on Gumtree, that was it, I was happy with that. But I don't think any seller honestly goes, "sure, let me get my Square out and you can tap here" or "I'll grab my terminal and we can just tap".

          • USER DC on 05/12/2023 - 11:58

            @geekcohen: paying with PAYPAL is technically paying with VISA/MASTERCARD possible. (aka the recommended route of payment IMO)

            • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 12:00

              @USER DC: Whilst that is true, PayPal can be any other payment and at least you are protected via PayPal with support etc for escalation.

              But in most cases, people don't use those sorts of methods.

              • aidenh37 on 05/12/2023 - 12:45

                @geekcohen: Only ever use cash or a bank transfer with private sellers or buyers - it can't be reversed very easily at all, which is a good thing. With PayPal and Visa/Mastercard, they can lodge a chargeback, side with the customer, and you're out of luck. Beem is also a good alternative that can't easily be reversed.

                • Presence on 05/12/2023 - 15:03
                  +1

                  @aidenh37:

                  Only ever use cash or a bank transfer with private sellers or buyers

                  Dont use bank transfer, it could be instant or it could randomly take a day or longer. What are you going to do if the buyer is at your house and transfers you money and its stuck in limbo? Let him stay the night? Or let him take the item before you have the money. You could watch him do the transfer on his phone but how do you know its not a fake app. Too risky imho. Maybe i'm just too risk averse.

                  • aidenh37 on 07/12/2023 - 11:44

                    @Presence: I put it in another reply:

                    PayID is fine as long as everyone checks for cleared payment in their own account, and understands bank timeframes.

                    Always a good idea to familiarise yourself with both banks' processing times. Otherwise, it is very normal to pay for a transaction and then come back a day later to pick up - the fact is, any transaction is built on trust, and if something seems off, its often best to avoid.

                    • Presence on 07/12/2023 - 13:42

                      @aidenh37: That's terrible advice. You have to visit the seller twice as well. You are basically asking to be scammed.

                      • aidenh37 on 09/12/2023 - 21:41

                        @Presence:

                        You are basically asking to be scammed.

                        By using Facebook Marketplace and interacting with private sellers/buyers, yes. Any transaction carries inherit risk, though. Any business could just turn around and scam you. But we rely on our decency to avoid that. So, if you don't accept the risk, don't start a transaction.

    • aidenh37 on 05/12/2023 - 12:43

      No private seller, even one with a card terminal and ABN, is going to allow Visa/Mastercard/PayPal because buyers just reverse the payment on them. PayID is fine as long as everyone checks for cleared payment in their own account, and understands bank timeframes.

      Facebook Marketplace sucks because people are dumb. That's it, really.

  • 7ekn00 on 05/12/2023 - 11:57
    +1

    I have disputed my purchase with the business

    Plenty of scammers on FB marketplace!

    Is it possible the business has zero record of this "transaction" and it's just jimmy in moms basement that has scammed you to make a payment?!?

  • MND on 05/12/2023 - 12:12
    +2

    If I find out it's a scam; I'll tell everyone the company name.

    • geekcohen on 05/12/2023 - 12:15
      +2

      Fantastic! Name and shame!

    • bobbified on 05/12/2023 - 13:51

      If I find out it's a scam

      Well, you paid for the product, haven't received the product, contacted them and still nothing. How else would you describe it?

      (I'm guessing it's probably Cash Convertors or something…)

  • CyberMurning on 05/12/2023 - 13:03

    then i was super lucky… bought few times from different state and they all arrived with some in much better condition from what i expected.
    of course everything were small value like $150 the maximum

  • bobbified on 05/12/2023 - 13:48
    +5

    It's been said once, said twice, and said multiple times.

    FB, Gumtree, etc.. cash only. Handover the cash with one hand and receive with the other.

    Why is it that people just don't learn?

    • Presence on 05/12/2023 - 15:04
      +2

      Because a sucker is born every minute and they are too keen to get a bargain and too lazy to use cash. I have less and less sympathy for victims of "scams" when the scams are so basic and easy to avoid.

    • BigBirdy on 06/12/2023 - 12:13

      Because buyer and seller are not always close enough to travel between, particularly for low value items. This is especially true for those living in regional areas where they might not have any local buyers/sellers of the desired product. It's a risk, and you do your best to mediate that risk. My brother sells a lot of low value stuff on Gumtree, mostly mailed to buyers, and only had a couple of minor problems. I've sold a few motorcycles, all to people from the nearest city a couple of hours drive away, but being pricey items they all came to view, one paid cash, the others paid by direct debit no problems.

      • bobbified on 06/12/2023 - 12:25
        +1

        It's a risk, and you do your best to mediate that risk.

        I agree it's a risk, so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone when that risk realises.

  • penguincat on 05/12/2023 - 21:15

    Item comes from an actual business whom is visible on Google and operating in Australia.

    That doesn't mean anything. Facebook marketplace has had plenty of scammers posting as other businesses. Megabuy for example https://www.megabuy.com.au/ has had a few scammers posting as them.
    An example the ad will be "near new lightly used current gen laptop aorus 17 only $800" which has not been on their website and as far as I know they don't sell used items in the first place.
    It will change from X laptop to Y laptop with delivery only from obscure location like Gatton QLD no in store pick up from either of their stores. No seller feedback.
    So I wouldn't be surprised if whoever you are dealing with has nothing to do with the company.

    If it's actually a store why pay by bank transfer? Paying a credit card fee or paypal payment with a surcharge benefits you if something goes wrong. Paying by bank deposit only saves the seller as you can't recall it.

    Being all gimme my CPU or whatever in person if it is a scam and a person is just impersonating them well your going to look silly. As they wont give you one if they had nothing to do with it.

  • TransportPosters on 06/12/2023 - 21:12
    +2

    Hang on a sec…you bought a computer CPU from a 'waste removal' service?

    That just seems a bit odd and may explain why they are not sending it.

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