Aussie couple’s warning after Facebook Marketplace ‘bashing’ ordeal

An Aussie couple selling an item on Facebook Marketplace claim they ran into strife after one potential buyer threatened to "bash" them following a dispute over the agreed price.

Mariah and her partner Sam listed a PlayStation with some games for $150, but Mariah shared online, the buyer had shown up with $120 saying that he'd "been in a meeting" and hadn't seen the message that his reduced offer was not accepted.

Things quickly turned sour, with the buyer allegedly "screaming" at Sam and yelling that he should "go back to England" as the seller crossed the road to get away.

"We were worried he would hang around," Mariah told Yahoo News Australia because they had originally given their apartment's address to the male, even though Sam instead met him outside on the street. "We were lucky enough to have a very private secure apartment building [though]."

After contacting police in several states, all told Yahoo they recommend Aussies don't give out their home address and meet elsewhere when selling on online marketplaces. "[It] can be a convenient way to sell, however your safety is always the number one priority," Victoria Police said.

Buyer allegedly tried to negotiate a cheaper deal

Mariah said when the buyer arrived with $120 instead of $150, he started "screaming" saying that his time had been "wasted". "The guy was yelling out, 'Go back to f**king England' [and] 'come back here and I’ll f**king bash your head in'," Mariah said.

Following the ordeal, Mariah said they would give an address a little further up the street [next time] instead of giving anyone their actual apartment address.

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Police warn 'avoid meeting buyers at your home'

NSW Police said that although Facebook, Gumtree and other online marketplaces are popular places to buy, sell, and swap and often it is a positive experience, online marketplaces are also "popular among thieves and scammers".

Below are a few simple preventative measures to help keep you safe selling, or buying, online:

• Arrange to meet the buyer in a public place where there are CCTV cameras e.g. a shopping centre

• Take a friend or a family member with you when you go to meet the buyer

• Where possible, avoid meeting buyers at your home or allowing them entry to your home

• Coordinate the exchange via phone call rather than text message

• Remember if the advertised price looks too good to be true, it probably is

• If possible, make sure to thoroughly inspect or test the item before buying it

There are also behaviours from potential buyers that may be a red flag:

• Changing the agreed transaction time and location at short notice

• Presenting themselves as a female buyer over the phone but a male arrives to conduct the transaction

• Attending the exchange location with multiple people

• Requesting to handle the item before payment is made

If you need immediate police assistance always call Triple-0. Report any suspicious behaviour to your local police station or Crime Stoppers.

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