Bad Ending to a Facebook Marketplace Transaction (Physical Assault)

Free Fall on 03/08/2024 - 00:46
Last edited 03/08/2024 - 10:02 by 1 other user

Having sold countless items on Facebook/Gumtree/Ebay in person, tonight must have been the worst ever end to a transaction for me.

For context I was selling a tool and had agreed a price with the buyer (so far so good, polite and cordial). As usual proceeded to text him my address and he said he would arrive at said time. After time had passed I get this angry message saying "I tried to call, ???, I'm in the area, where are you". My immediate response was I didn't get any messages from him nor a call (didn't give him my mobile # and FB messenger doesn't have a call function anyway).

So I then walked out to my driveway and I started hearing random yelling. Soon I saw this guy in high vis with tatts from neck up to his face and he started to curse and swear at me - clearly intoxicated. At this point my neighbour came out to see what was happening and before long the buyer spat at him. This all then descended into a short tussle with pushing and shoving before a vehicle arrived to pick the buyer up.

While no one was hurt this has been an extremely unpleasant experience and I am hoping that by sharing this experience people will be more vigilant. Going forwards I will definitely be much more thorough in reviewing buyer profiles (his profile certainly has red flags). Are there any actions I can take to minimise such incidents in future?

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Comments

  • randomusername2017 on 03/08/2024 - 11:35

    No happy endings from randoms on fbm 🤔

    Bring back cracker 🎇

    • Ciderfizz44 on 03/08/2024 - 19:03
      +1

      Usually you pay double for that kind of action, Cotton

  • eccaz on 03/08/2024 - 12:13

    This is quite an odd story. Did you write down the license plate of the getaway car? Who got the better of the tussle, your neighbour or the “bikie”?

    • smartazz104 on 04/08/2024 - 09:51
      -1

      License plate? Should he have called 911 as well?

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 04/08/2024 - 11:22
        +2

        911???

      • eccaz on 04/08/2024 - 14:47

        I thought it was a she.

      • cashews on 05/08/2024 - 06:23

        Depends how many miles away the sheriff is.

  • ihfree on 03/08/2024 - 12:36
    +5

    I always do pick up at home for any easy to sell items without issue. Anything more difficult goes straight to eBay with postage only. I've had a few oddballs show up but no issues. Generally, I'll check profiles and come up with an excuse not to still to anyone with red flags.

    I've had people refuse to come to the door which I find strange. In one case, I had a buyer message and say no one was there however I was next to the front door at the time.

    Most of my pickups from other people are from their homes. My favourite pick up was for a computer case in a funky dimly lit car park at about 9pm at night.

  • Ughhh on 03/08/2024 - 13:25
    +10

    I've had a buyer who bought an item from me (item worth around $240 brand new), after inspecting it in person, he later wanted a refund because it didn't have a feature from a higher end model. Model number and specs were all stated in the ad, and the price is in line with the lower end model. Nutjob asked for my address and threatened me if I didn't accept his return, and kept spamming my disposable number.

    Because we didn't meet at my house and I didnt use my regular phone number, I didn't need to entertain his request or pay any attention to him.

  • plmko on 03/08/2024 - 13:49
    -4

    So like did you end up selling the shit? Because who cares what someone does as long as you've sold. Retail workers face this type of shit everyday.

    Also you should've just walked away as soon as someone moves on you, bad move no matter right/wrong to retaliate as you were at your home address.

  • cheesecactus on 03/08/2024 - 13:51
    +10

    "FB messenger doesn't have a call function anyway"

    It definitely does.

  • outlander on 03/08/2024 - 16:49
    +2

    It sucks that that happened to you OP. Really shakes you up

    You didn't do anything wrong. People will tell you 'do this or that' but there's no way to perfectly screen out nutjobs. If you can keep them to >1% I feel like you're doing well

    Some lessons I've learned
    - don't bother with cheap items (<$10). You attract cheapskates that are just the worst. They will steal things and beg for freebies. From experience these are mostly well off women driving nice cars who aspire to be rich. Dudes do it too but they tend to jerk you around in the messages, so you screen them out pretty easy. Just OP shop it or give it away
    -don't do things at night. Limit of 6pm for collections. People can't see and they're scared (but refuse to admit it to themselves), so they'll grab items and run. Then later they see some defect and try and claim you scammed them
    -Give out your mobile so you can keep in contact? Nothing irritates me more than someone who sells something, but then is coy about the address. The (profanity) are you, a spy? Feels like you're simultaneously implying I'm a criminal, and also that you're planning to ambush me
    Use a second sim if you want to keep you're main number a secret

    • Free Fall on 04/08/2024 - 12:59

      Thanks - like you say nothing is perfect and I'll take further steps (just got a 2nd SIM) to minimise such incidents. Looking back this guy was 1.5 hrs late so by that time light had gone. Also upon hearing the yelling, I should have texted or even asked for number to chat. I definitely lost advantage by walking out to the cul de sac (due to my complacency). Never again!

  • el Australiano on 03/08/2024 - 18:20

    I always meet in front of a business I know has cameras. Just in case. If they have a problem with that, then bye.

    • McFly on 05/08/2024 - 17:06
      +2

      Ted's?

  • H3R34TH4C0MM3NTS on 03/08/2024 - 18:23

    Don't Sell anything of significantly "High Value" on the FB marketplace , its should be a treated as a flea market. how high is high you may ask. I'd say less than $200

  • Dabbler68 on 03/08/2024 - 18:25
    +7

    For those who advocate not giving your address, have you actually sold somethin on Gumtree/Facebook? How many times have you been jerked around by someone who agrees a time but does not turn up, or is an hour later?

    I have sold a few things and find no shows are common as are those being late. I now ask them to "Message me as you are leaving so I can confirm I am home. I will give you my address then." That helps a bit.

    I agree that giving your address does have an element of risk but I have had no problems so far. I remember one potential buyer sent a few messages including a couple that did not make sense. Gave me a bad vibe so I said it had been sold. The response told me I made the right decision. Another one made several really lowball offers and kept trying. I finally said "There has been a lot of interest so I decided the asking price was too cheap. I have increased the price". And I did so on the listing. That worked. Electronics, phones, cameras probably have more risk than homewares, etc.

    As others have said, don't bother with cheap stuff because that seems to bring out the bogans. NEVER offer stuff for free.

    • Windows98 on 03/08/2024 - 19:07
      +7

      Imagine driving to the local police station every time you think you've sold something then wait there with your dick in your hand for 30 minutes for the 60% of people who never turn up

      • McFly on 05/08/2024 - 17:08

        I think that might draw some attention from the police.

    • gromit on 03/08/2024 - 20:15

      Sold a few items, never had a problem as most of the scammers and time wasters are easy to filter out, always cash only no exceptions. I usually use the police station or maccas which is just a couple of mins down the road, give them my alternate phone number which I have just for extra 10% woolies discount and tell them to text or ring me when they are close, if I had to burn the number it is no issue.

      only Items I have provided my address for is a fridge and a large piece of furniture.

    • Ughhh on 04/08/2024 - 10:43

      I usually meet up at my local shopping centre, or another centre where I needed to do some shopping anyway. That way the trip is not a complete waste of time if they're a no show. Haven't had many no shows though.

      The one time I didn't and agreed to meet buyer at a place more convenient for her and less for me, due to her kids/not having a car, she stood me up. No more goodwill from me.

  • drprox on 03/08/2024 - 21:50
    -1

    Don't deal with tools I guess

  • V2L on 04/08/2024 - 11:05

    I've stopped selling things on marketplace, I'll take my chance with fleecebay, the effort and risk isn't worth the $20 or whatever you get for it. Heard someone died recently after a hit and run selling a phone

  • churningNburning on 04/08/2024 - 15:36

    May we see his profile? :D

  • Dack Smith on 04/08/2024 - 18:34
    -8

    Well you must have angered the buyer in some way, I doubt he would just randomly attack you.

    The customer is always right.

  • Steamed Hams on 04/08/2024 - 18:37
    +2

    Sorry this has happened to you and hope you are doing alright all things considered, some people are absolute scum.

    Having been buying and selling for decades online - Its a game within itself finding a legit. buyer and sifting through the human filth and time wasters to do so.

    Most people are fine but imo its best to not meet at ones house, you never know what maniac could have your address and what intentions one may have even after the transaction is done. Yes this is pessimistic and for most run of the mill selling odd and ends it'd be fine but if you're selling lots of inventory and/or expensive items and someone knows your address they might case the joint and have bad intentions. Anyway…

    Meeting at the front of your street if possible works best. (Eg. this is the street, meet you at the front I'm wearing a red t shirt,etc)

    No night time sales for safety, once transaction is done block the number/person as the deal is done. And if go with your gut instincts, if something feels dodgy, the profile looks off, the mannerisms are strange pull the plug and wait for a proper buyer.

    One thing I do and has been successful is to make the buyer chase you a little - if they are keen they will make an effort to close the deal. So for example once pick up time and price is agreed over messages you give them your phone number and tell them to message you the next morning to confirm address and details for a pick up in the mid morning. If they engage and respond then that's half the battle won.

  • Cusack on 04/08/2024 - 21:56

    If I see a really trashy bogan like profile, I pass and say it’s no longer available. I also don’t buy from them …Yes I judge based on profile pics :)

  • zorodluffy on 05/08/2024 - 08:11
    -1

    2 sides 2 every storey bruda.

    I was the 'tatted up bikie'.

    you didnt respond u mof@!@!

    you ghost me.

    you lucky i didnt bring my boiz from the hoodz

  • Raj09 on 05/08/2024 - 08:25

    Sold lots of stuff and didn't have anything dodgy. I ask to meet at the train station or in front of my block. You can figure out dodgy people from their texts. They cannot hold proper grammar. But you are right. Better be careful

    • McFly on 05/08/2024 - 17:10
      +1

      You can figure out dodgy people from their texts. They cannot hold proper grammar.

      🤔

  • Mumbles on 05/08/2024 - 21:08
    +1

    Fortunately I've been lucky and not had any bad experiences.

    I have encountered a shy/fearful seller on Gumtree before. My sister who lives interstate saw a used baby pram on Gumtree and asked me to purchase it from the seller in my area. I was given their mobile number. 5 minutes before I arrived the seller SMS'd me to change plans and requested I leave the cash under the door mat and I could take away the pram left on the verandah.

    Me as a first time seller I was more fearful of buyers snatching and running off without payment of my tech gadgets. You can make your own safe zone by standing under a security camera, using GoPros, using voice recorder apps, having the local Police number ready to be dialed.

    Luckily I've only had positive experiences. Most citizens are law abiding and non-violent. In fact its an opportunity to connect with occassional strangers who share your same hobbies, needs, enthusiasm.

  • RocketSwitch on 05/08/2024 - 21:39
    +2

    The whole point of selling items is for them to come to you. If I had to drive to a place every single time, I might as well keep the item.

    I have sold 95 items on both Gumtree and Marketplace. Some opted to pay for postage but most have been in front of my home. Zero issues.

    I have had 2 no shows, but they all messaged in advanced they won't be coming.

    So far, so good.

    Sorry OP you had to deal with animals like that, I guess that's the reality, it can happen. But you're dealing with the 1% I reckon.

  • darkmoss on 06/08/2024 - 18:26

    without reading it , it sounds pretty funny

  • gfjh567gh3 on 07/08/2024 - 17:42

    You have to do the only thing you can do… discriminate heavily. It's how literally everyone has survived up until now.

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