this post was submitted on 12 Apr 2026
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I was keen on a Marketplace item. It wasn’t much, $20, despite its value being far more than that. Was scheduled to meet up to collect, but as it got closer to time, the seller took an hour to confirm their address (they kept saying they had bad phone signal…but I’m not sure what that has to do with en able to confirm your own address), and then switched it up from them being there, to needing to collect from someone else, who’s number I was given to call when I arrived.
As soon as I expressed concern, they got very defensive and angry. For me, that’s red flags all over so I noped out and blocked em.
Did I overreact? What would you folks do?
You did the right thing. The MIL was trying to sell something once and someone tried to pull the classic PayID scam saying their husband worked in the area and would be the one to come pick it up, this was on a Sunday in a suburb with nothing nearby.
Then they said they had trouble transferring money online and if the MIL PayID'd them $1000 this person would send back the money plus the difference.
I'm out at the slightest hint of dodgy. I'd rather over react and miss out on a few items that might have been legit than walk into a bad situation.
Sellers being reluctant to hand over an address in advance is one of my major red flags - I want to be able to check where I am going and let someone else know too. I've had sellers do this whole run around where they won't give you the street number until you say you are in the street. I've no idea how they think that's going to protect them from dodgy buyers, but I'm not following breadcrumbs to walk into a stranger's house. If people are not upfront I just don't deal with them.
People who are very pushy about wanting you to move off the sales platform and phone/text are also a red flag for me. Your phone number is important personal data that it's better to avoid giving out unnecesarily. Especially if you have Pay id linked to it, because then you are also giving out your real name.
Thank you. Yeah, I agree and this is really reassuring.
Marketplace is sketchy, trust your gut.
🖤
Red Flags. Did not over react. If I had already paid I would be trying to get money back.
regarding the shady behaviour, $20 is not much money . 🤔
Yeah nah, I never pay up front. Only cash in person.