Aussie shopper confronts Facebook sellers over Kmart 'scams'
Sellers have been called out for passing off budget buys as high-end homewares.
An Aussie shopper has divided opinion after confronting Facebook Marketplace sellers for trying to offload Kmart brand items for as much as double the retailer's original price.
TikToker Bec Brewin shared screenshots of conversations in which she repeatedly asked sellers to verify the brand of their items for sale, before hitting them with links to the items on Kmart's website, which clearly shows the original, cheaper price.
Most of the sellers denied Ms Brewin's claims or blocked her in response. "It's fine to sell Kmart products, it's fine to buy them on Facebook Marketplace, just say what it is, say where it's from," she demanded.
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"People go to Facebook Marketplace for a bargain, especially in this current economic climate. To lie that an inexpensive Kmart item is from West Elm or Early Settler is dishonest and taking advantage of people," Ms Brewin said of her motivation to start messaging sellers. "It's not in the spirit of Marketplace, so I call them out."
Aussies divided over Facebook Marketplace gripe
Ms Brewin's two-part video series has divided users, with many commenting they've had similar experiences. "I did the same during lockdown – someone tried to sell a framed painting as an original that was a paint by numbers!" one viewer stated.
"I see this all the time with the black round Kmart coffee tables! Up for the double the price," another TikTok user claimed.
However, some viewers sympathised with the sellers. "I feel for these people. They're just trying to make a dollar. Things are tough now. Don't buy it if you don't want to pay that amount," one user commented.
"It's a free market economy and everyone has a choice to buy or not," someone else added.
bed admitted the response to her videos has been "interesting". "For the most part people are supportive... but there have been people telling me it's none of my business, to get a life and that they see no problem with ripping people off."
Common problem
It's not the first time Facebook Marketplace sellers have come under fire for trying to pass off budget brand products as high-end items, and dramatically inflating prices.
Earlier this year, a Reddit user posted a warning to would-be buyers about what to look for in Facebook ads, stating: "If the brand isn't listed on Marketplace, it's probably from Kmart or IKEA at a cheaper price."
In response, hundreds of fellow shoppers shared their own experiences with sellers jacking up prices up used goods. "The amount of f**king clowns I've seen on Marketplace selling their second-hand product for more than the new price is astounding," vented one.
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