Selling the desk you don't use or picking up a cheap record player from someone nearby is one of the best things about local marketplaces. It's cheaper, it's greener, and most people are honest. Most isn't all, though. Here's a practical checklist so that a good deal stays a good deal.
If you're selling
Write a listing that does the work
- Use real, recent photos in daylight, from several angles, including any damage. Honest photos mean fewer wasted trips and fewer arguments.
- Describe the condition precisely. "Works perfectly, small scratch on the left side" is more useful than "good condition".
- Check what similar items actually sell for, not just what they're listed for, and price a little above your minimum so there's room to haggle.
Know the classic seller scams
- The "pay to receive" link. A "buyer" sends you a link to a delivery or payment page so you can "receive the money". It asks for your card details. You never need to enter your card details to receive money. This is phishing, and it's the most common marketplace scam around.
- The fake confirmation. A screenshot or email that says the payment has been sent. Screenshots are easy to fake. Only trust what you can see in your own banking or payment app.
- The overpayment. The buyer "accidentally" pays too much and asks you to send back the difference. The original payment later disappears, and your refund doesn't.
- The courier who can't meet you. Someone far away who is very keen, never wants to see the item and wants to arrange their own shipping. Be very cautious.
If you're buying
- A price far below market is a question, not a gift. It could be stolen, broken or not real.
- See it before you pay. Test electronics: switch them on, check the screen and buttons, and make sure phones aren't locked to someone else's account.
- Be wary of pressure. "Lots of people want it, send a deposit now to reserve it" is a classic way to rush you past your own judgement.
- Don't pay deposits to strangers for items you haven't seen, especially by bank transfer, which is hard to reverse.
Meeting up
- Meet in daylight in a busy public place. Some police stations and shopping centres are good spots.
- Tell someone where you're going and who you're meeting.
- For large items that have to be picked up from home, have someone else there, and keep the item near the door if you can.
- Trust your gut. Cancelling is always allowed, even at the last minute.
Getting paid
- Mobile payments (in Denmark, usually MobilePay): wait until the payment shows up in your own app before you hand the item over. Don't go by the buyer's screen.
- Cash: count it in front of the buyer, and check larger notes.
- Bank transfer: wait until it has actually arrived in your account, not just "been sent".
Keep the conversation where it started
Scammers often try to move you to another app, email or text message straight away. That makes it harder to report them and easier to send you fake links. Keep chatting on the platform until the deal is done, and keep your address, bank details and ID to yourself unless they're genuinely needed.
If something goes wrong
If you've entered card details into a suspicious link, call your bank straight away. They can block the card. Report fraud to the police, and report the profile to the marketplace you used. On LatePals, write to us using the address on our contact page and we'll look into it.
