We are selling old washing machine on FB for $130. A buyer offered $100 cash and transfer for the rest. We don't worry if he is legit but doesn't transfer. Can this be a scam and anything go wrong?
FB Buyer Offered Partial Transfer. What Can Go Wrong?
picant on 17/01/2025 - 15:02
Last edited 17/01/2025 - 15:03
Last edited 17/01/2025 - 15:03
Comments
Would you take $100
Because that's what you'll get
either that or a last minute subtle implication for swaps for a half hearted no eye contact handy j.
Selling my washing machine for $200. Hmu
No eye contact means no deal.
Old washing machine not even worth $50
What can go wrong????
Buyer changed mind
Didnt do transfer
Realised $130 was a Rip-off!
"Sure, do the transfer now, I'll let you know when it goes in and you can bring the cash over and pick up once the payment has cleared…"
Now that makes cents. Cheers
This is the way
my brother has some frankly wild stories of his interactions with buyers on marketplace/scumtree …I used to think they were all made up / slightly embellished - but actually after reading more on ozbargain I fully believe them all now. why cant people just be normal ffs.
You're dealing with the dredges of society.
IMO $130 list prices is basically a bat signal for these people to offer $100. Just price that in.
^^^ This
Once had a buyer tell me off and curse me as I refused their offer on an item. They told me that I had to accept a lesser price as no one will ever pay the asking unless I specifically write 'no offers' or similar.
They're just playing mind games, they have no shame so they'll say anything to manipulate you.
Hold strong if you've priced it right. I once listed a couch for $150 after about 10 or so time wasters eventually someone came around.
I tell them I would prefer to donate to charity or e-waste it. In a few cases, it's resulted in angry messages and a block.
I don't mind the low offers - I don't like what follows when they're not accepted.
One of the worst cases was a message from someone who asked for an item for free with some cheap excuse.
@ihfree: Selling a monitor and was offered a low price as he said he was a student, I said I was a pensioner could he give me more than I asked.
One of the worst cases was a message from someone who asked for an item for free with some cheap excuse.
I had listed a pram for $150. Here's an interaction I had.
Them: I have 3 babies and it's a shame I cannot have this pram for my youngest because it's out of my budget.
Me: What would you like to offer?
Them: $50 is all I could afford.
Me: OK, I'll take it. When would you be able to come around?
Them: I cannot come to collect it due to my personal circumstances. Could you please deliver it at (cites a suburb ~40KMs away)? That way my baby can have a pram.
Me: block
Once had a buyer tell me off and curse me as I refused their offer on an item. They told me that I had to accept a lesser price as no one will ever pay the asking unless I specifically write 'no offers' or similar.
I've had that. I take great delight in telling them I'd rather throw the item away than sell it to a low-baller. Then I block them.
dregs
"why cant people just be normal ffs."
They are the new normal…..
.
You couldn't make this stuff up.
This still makes sense the way I initially it. It made me think WTF does your brother do:
How I read it:
my brother has some frankly wild stories of his interactions with buyers on marketplace/cumtree
Most people on marketplace are just bored tbh. Just window shoppers. Full-time enquirers I like to call them. Actually you will find a lot of lowballers back out when you accept their lowball. Some are even so keen or surprised that you've accepted the lowball offer that they try their luck by offering even less!
It's all a laugh in the end though. Can't take marketplaces too seriously. If they wanted to buy it, they'd pay reasonably and make effort to pick it up.
What's the reason for a partial transfer? Is this to hold the item?
If there's a PayID transfer involved, i'm very clear in saying I won't release the item until the money has landed in my account. I wouldn't rely on screenshots, emailed/SMSed receipts, etc.
He said he got $100 cash but forgot his card. And he wants to pick the item today.
That's potentially a legit thing.
The number of people who carry cash nowadays are dwindling, and they may have part of it with cash.
The way to tell if it's a scam is to tell him he'll have to payid while you're there and have it clear.
The number of people who carry cash nowadays are dwindling, and they may have part of it with cash.
They've developed these new things they call ATMs to overcome this issue…
@jv: I actually forgot cash/card on one occasion for a item and asked if PayID was possible. The need to access cash or physical cards is rare now.
I generally leave home without my wallet unless there is a specific need.
That's potentially a legit thing.
It's also potentially "not a thing".
You'll often get them saying something similar to test the water. If you're going to accept $30 by transfer, they think you'll accept it all on transfer. Then they turn up and don't have any cash, or their "brother" has turned up instead and they don't have the money. They show you the receipt and hope you're dumb enough to accept a screenshot.
Having cash but not card? Potentially maybe, but it would be the opposite for me. I wouldn't be taking that chance.
I've had people payid to me in person, they later called and disputed with their bank. Bank reversed it.
For new payids, there's always a ~24h period and it won't go through instantly.
For new payids, there's always a ~24h period and it won't go through instantly.
Wrong.
Only certain banks. The only time I've had this happen is when someone was sending from Westpac. Every other bank I've had people use is instant.
I've had people payid to me in person, they later called and disputed with their bank. Bank reversed it.
yeahhhh I don't believe that at all.
I can't find anything that supports that this is doable, and certainly not easy or without the recipient agreeing.
You're implying that you've had this happen "multiple times" when payid is used by a lot of people every day for this exact scenario, so I don't buy it.
Edit: further googling says that a bank can only reverse it if the recipient bank agrees to it, so I'd be asking why your bank agreed to it (which they probably didn't, without your consent).
@coffeeinmyveins: I've had the "24h hold" happen many times with people sending me money, or me sending them money for the first time. Has happened to me when sending from my Bankwest and Ubank accounts. And also Happened to others sending to my partners CBA account.
It's usually never 24h, typically 3ish hours.
It only happens for the first transaction. But this is very common.
Happened to me when buying a car and I needed to send $10k. Send $5k from one bankand $5k from my brother's account. Both took a few hours to send. Seller was hesitant to give us the keys to the car after we both waited 15mins or so. But fortunately he agreed. But I appreciate the risk.
Which is then what happened when I sold a car. And the buyers didn't like how the car drove (drove the same as their test drive). But they complained to their bank after we didn't give them their money back.
After the bank gave them their money back, they came back and gave us the car and they keys.
So be careful with payid
Yeah nah. Did he forget his phone as well (because he should be able to do a near-instant Osko transfer for $30)?
I don't know about the phone. He offered a transfer but we did not discuss which one.
@picant: If he gives you the $100, give him the washer. Holding on to top-dollar for something that it's going to benefit you to get rid of is crazy. Unless your time is absolutely worthless, it'll cost you more in lost time to chase that extra $30 than it's worth.
Maybe he was offering to do that: instant transfer of $30 and hand over $100.
If it was more money I'd expect a fake banking app and excuses why it didn't go straight through, and refuse to leave without the washing machine since he claims tfr has happened. But surely at least it would be $30 cash and $100 scam??
Loved that show. So much better than Breaking Bad.
After seeing that actor in What we do in the shadows, he'll always be Colin Robinson in any show he's in.
I'd say it's likely legit if paying on the spot/in advance. Half the transactions I do now involve PayID. I'd make a judgement call based of their profile/communications.
Hell, I've even got lazy with low value items(<$10) and occasionally just let people pick them up and leave cash in the letter box - so far no issues.
Are you seriously that gullible? Tell him to pick up once he has the other $30 cash.
Not everyone is a scammer. It's quite possible that he only had $100 cash on him.
Do you really want to deal with someone that makes a purchase yet doesn't bring enough money to pay and forgets their card? He may well not be a scammer, but he has all the hallmarks of one.
any update from the seller how this went?
Coming to pick up an item for 130
Not enough cas on hand?
No wallet?
No phone app?
He is not going to pay rest of the money.
Is this still available?
What Can Go Wrong?
Lots of things.
It's old washing machine. You're lucky to even get $100 and have someone take it away.
$100 for an old washing machine seems fine anyway.
Sure need the $30 cleared in my account (+$100 cash) before they take the item. Otherwise they can turn right around and f off home. Make this clear to them before they come.
Ask them to leave some DNA
I get people to PayID all the time. I won't take a transfer as it can take a few days sometimes.
If they have $100 cash surely they can find another $30?
PayID is just a way to safely get the BSB and account. Separate from Osko.
It does not mean the transfer is any faster. Some banks will delay the first transfer to a new account.
PayID has always been instant for the 50-60 transactions I've done whether it being them paying me or me paying them as a first time payment.
OTOH the $2000 bank transfer on the Skoda took 3 days as have several other transfers.If I'm wrong, I'm wrong but that's been my experience.
Different banks have different policies. $2000 will be over the limit for instant PayID at some banks, but not others.
It is complicated, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Payments_Platform
many banks (like CBA) have a 24 hour delay for first payment.
Not everyone has a spare $30.
Disable it by taking a part off to be provided when the rest of the cash in your hands
Or man up & sell it for $130 cash non negotiable.
I sold a macbook for $550, buyer turns up with $500, and was like… 'oh..i could go to the atm….' but she payid me in the end and once that $50 landed, good enough
Just reply with:
No, money down!
Ask for $30 via PayID when he shows up and you will transfer him back the other $30 (if) when it shows up.
How did it go, OP?
Hopefully better than the scam at the link up higher ^
With all the comments, now I'm afraid to sell a car for 15k on marketplace.
IK I'm hijacking the post, whats the best way for a transaction like this considering people have been scammed by online transfers and charge backs.
Chargebacks of bank deposits aren't really a thing, the scam is usually when they show you a fake banking app or receipt where they swear they paid and it will just come through tomorrow trust me bro let me take the car or I'll get really angry and threatening..
Either ask for a bank cheque and cash it at the bank, or ask for a cleared bank transfer (for a large amount, it will usually take exactly 24 hours, but possibly longer if the bank decides it's sus).
A mate of mine bought a car for $35k, did a transfer but it got held for a day, he came back.
You should be obviously getting each other's license details etc as you need to do the government transfer form anyway.
For a car? Meet the buyer at THEIR branch, get the teller to do the transfer to your account.
I was lucky for my car, it was Westpac to Westpac, but I imagine if it's teller initiated and legit, it should still be instantSelling a car is a bit different as I will not allow anyone to test drive my car without sighting and taking a photo of their ID. This is also needed to transfer the car to them.
Meet them in public place like a car park with surveillance cameras.There is nothing wrong with payid as long as YOU can verify that the funds are in your account. Make it clear to them if that's how they want to pay then you need to see the money in your account before you transfer the car. If they do not agree then they can find another way to pay you or just move on. With the funds in your account you can transfer it to another account of yours. Sold a 30k car this way. Did an online transfer of ownership straight after.
Get them to pay cash, or if a transfer then no car until it clears.
Could be legit. Have done it myself. Some people don't have all $130 in one payment method. I've had people offer this sort of thing to me too. It has to be payID though cus it's instant and no chargebacks. No PayPal or bank transfers.
My only suspicion would be if they rock up with a $100 bill.
If the $30 is important to you, tell him you'll happily wait until it has cleared.
If you have lots of other interested buyers, tell him first in best dressed and he might suddenly decide he can go to the local ATM.
well i was one of those buyer who only had $25 cash and did $175 payID on the spot. I legit didn't have enough cash and did payment right in front of seller. So may be it is not a scam. All depend on the situation. You can tell by the genuinity of the buyer.
A scammer would be more likely to be $30 cash and the rest by transfer
It's a lot of effort to scam someone for 30 bucks
Worst case you sold the item for $100. End of the case
Transfer the $30 first and then pay the $100 cash on collection.
I've had plenty of transfers (both from me and to me) on MP without issue - just need to make sure it's in your account and clear. That being said, I wouldn't go it for a large amount, but for $30? Why not
Off topic, but semi related I guess. I was selling a switch game, code in box. It was unopened, but someone asked me if he could payid and I just send him the code. He did ask me to please not scam him. He sent me the $$, I sent him the code. He was super grateful that I didn't scam him and sent me another $10 and thanked me a few more times. There are regular people out there buying and selling on Marketplace, no scams involved. That's been most of my experience. Big ticket items are usually where scammers come in.
In this case it sounds like an odd request, if you're happy with $100 for the washer, go for it. If you really want $130 either wait until the $ clear or tell them all cash.
If you allow the transfer, I'll look forward to your next "Got scammed off FB, what should i do" post
So how did it go?
I think the buyer's legit. Even if it were a scam, I'd prefer to get rid of the bulky whitegood for cheap.personally I would take the hit and send to recycling before I allowed someone to scam me, even for such a small amount. When I agree on a price for something with someone it is all or nothing.
What's the net benefit though?
I'd rather be scammed and get $100 than not be scammed and get nothing. It seems a bit irrational to go for nothing.The net benefit is knowing the person didn't get the cheap deal because they were a scumbag ahole. generally if I am selling something I usually sell cheap as I just want it gone, so will nearly always have someone else I can sell to and would not sell or trash it before I give some prick the satisfaction of screwing me over.
$100 for a working washing machine sounds fine. Unless it's a Miele or something you're unlikely to get a better offer.
Brand new washing machines start under $400, including delivery.
I've been in the buyers position here before.
I rarely use cash at all and don't carry a debit card. Everything I pay for daily is on paywave.
Occasionally I will be at work and see something I want to pickup on the way home, I might have a small amount of cash on me and it becomes more convenient to offer the seller part cash and part transfer, rather than having to go home and grab my debit card, then drive to an ATM, pay a withdrawal fee etc.I make it very clear to buyers , to evaluate the value proposition that I have put out there ie the Price that is set , before engaging with me. Anyone that lowballs or offers a price lower that what has been listed gets an immediate block. I only deal in Cash and I make that very clear to buyers, if you can't afford to drive 5 minutes and pay $3 for a cash withdrawal then I am not interested in doing business with you.
That being said I only use FBMP to get rid of stuff I dont need anymore and generally for stuff less than $300 , I am not out get get "Full market value", just to get rid of my stuff. I have no patience for scammers and time wasters.
I ask people if I can use Osko payments instead of cash because of the time it saves me. I'll send them $5 the day before and the rest when I pick up, to avoid the delay for new transfers
I bought a power saw from a guy one time, and asked if i could pay via Osko. Stupidly forgot that the payment would take a while to come through, so i ended up having to come back to pick the damn thing up on 2nd day (it wasn't exactly on my way home). Now I'm a bit more careful about having the cash with me
If they are genuine, they would have no hesitation in transferring money first. If they hesitate or offer some excuse, just decline the deal.
I should say, obviously assuming they has OSKO enabled accounts that will do instant transfers…
My wife sells a bunch of thinks on FB marketplace, usually like old baby stuff our kid has grown out of, I regularly have to deal with them if I am WFH or she is out for some other reason. It's not rocket science,.if you say cash I expect you to come with the agreed amount in cash.
I don't think it matters if you think they have a legit reason, you agreed to terms.
Had a young Asian lady rock up one day, she could barely speak English and for a $80 transaction, agreed cash she rocks up with like $10 and asks if could transfer the rest.via transfer, I said no and then the excuses start coming, she left her baby at home and she can't be gone long (I hope not unsupervised!), she doesn't know the area and doesn't know where any ATMs are etc. She lived like 10-15 mins away.
Showed her on Google maps the location of 3 different shopping strips like 5 mins drive away and she left so annoyed and came back with the correct cash.
Was she legit? No idea, but we agreed cash and you show up with insufficient cash, I already do not trust you now.
My method is to ask them if they need change. Hammers home it's a cash only deal.
Just don't sell it until the pay id transfer lands in your account. Pay id on the spot is reliable unless it is a first time transfer of over $200 (or $500?) in which case it may take a day to clear.
Nobody is going to come all the way to scam you for $30 over a washing machine.
Nobody is going to come all the way to scam you for $30 over a washing machine.
never underestimate peoples ability for petty scams to save a few bucks. A few years ago I had a guy meet me on my way out of town for a holiday to buy a computer part for $500, suprise suprise he was short $50 and had forgotten his phone and wallet so it was all he had. Said sorry I will take the part with me then as it was already below market value and I will keep as a spare part. Miraculously he found an extra $50 in his pocket before I left.
Trying to get a discount is not the same as fraud
claiming you don't have the money with you when you do IS fraud/scam. they are preying on peoples desire for the transaction to be over and done being more than ensuring they get what was agreed. They are pure scumbags and lowlifes.
A classic OzB forum post.
1. Post a topic that will get lots of replies.
2. Don't post update
3. Vanish forever😭 I need closure OP
Silence of The Scams
I've been selling on fb marketplace for 5 years now, sold hundreds of item. To me he's asking that because he only has $100 cash on himself. Just ask him to payid the $30 and it should get to you instantly. He's not trying to scam you.
I'm guessing they'll turn up, take it for $100 cash and "trust me bro" and never do the transfer.
If you asked them to do it via payid then and there they'll say they will do it tomorrow etc.