09/24/2025
I want to remind everyone who uses Marketplace to be extra careful. I use Marketplace and I love it. I find it easy, people are nice, and if I ask for something I want and happen to “win” the bid or am the first to ask, I respect that and go get it.
But yesterday I almost fell for something I usually warn others about.
Most of the time when I ask about an item, people check my profile. When I ask if they take cash or Venmo, they are usually open to it, either letting me send Venmo or telling me to leave cash somewhere. Why? Because I am a real person. I have a great rating, and they can see I write about my business and my family. I am a mom, I have kids, and I always connect with them as a human. I don’t just send “Is this available?” and then ghost them.
So yesterday I saw a great offer at a great price. Honestly, I have gotten amazing deals before on brand new or barely used stuff for pennies. People just want to get rid of it, and I need it. I do the same when I sell, often pricing low to get rid of things quickly or even giving them away for free.
This time, I messaged a woman who seemed super nice. I asked if she took cash or Venmo. She said she used some app I had never heard of. I told her I didn’t have that app but was happy to pay cash when I saw her. She agreed. A few minutes later, she asked me to download that app and send a portion of the money.
That is when I felt like I had been slapped because I realized I had not followed my own rules.
✔ Check their profile
✔ Watch who you are dealing with
✔ If you sense a red flag, the deal is off
When I checked her profile, here is what I noticed:
🚩Only one profile picture (red flag)
🚩Picture was a little too revealing (red flag)
🚩Facebook account created in 2025 (major red flag)
🚩Asked me to send partial payment (red flag)
🚩Asked me to download an unknown app (red flag)
🚩Tried to get me to come earlier than we agreed (red flag)
At that point, I ended the conversation, told her the deal was off, and reported the listing for suspicious activity.
Please be vigilant. Check profiles. Trust your instincts.
At the same time, don’t always assume people are bad. Many sellers are kind and simply prefer Venmo or cash, and they just want to meet on their own time. Know the difference.
But learn from my mistake, it could have cost me. Thankfully, I recognized the red flags quickly and acted before it was too late.
Good luck on Marketplace, friends!
