Buying secondhand has gone from something people did quietly to something people actively take pride in. But the same platforms also have scams, sketchy meetups, and people who get taken advantage of because they didn’t know what to watch for.
Research before you buy — always
- Google the item’s typical retail and resale price before responding to an ad.
- Check the brand or model number for known issues, recalls, or things to inspect.
- For electronics, look up what questions to ask and what to test before you hand over money.
Know the scam patterns
- Overpayment scam: They ‘accidentally’ send too much and ask you to refund the difference before their payment bounces.
- Shipping scam: They insist on using a weird third-party payment system for a ‘secure’ transaction.
- Fake buyer: They can’t meet and want to pay via a link they send you — always a scam.
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Pro-tip
If someone insists on a payment method you’ve never heard of, or if the deal requires any workaround to the platform’s normal process, treat it as a scam until proven otherwise. Trust your gut.
Meet safely for in-person transactions
- Meet in a busy public place for small items — a coffee shop car park, a shopping centre.
- For big items: if you need to go to their home, bring a friend.
- Many police stations offer their car parks as designated exchange spots.
- Tell someone where you’re going and share the other person’s contact info.
For sellers: protect your information
- Don’t share your home address in initial messages — arrange meetups elsewhere.
- Don’t accept cheques or money orders. Cash or platform-native payments only.
If you’re flipping: know your platform fees
eBay takes 12–15%, Poshmark 20% on items over £15, Facebook Marketplace 5% for shipped items. Know the return policy for each platform — on some, buyers can return for any reason. Price and photo accordingly.