Find the hidden gems: The next time you search for deals on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or another site, type in the name of a brand you really like. Say I want an outdoor couch. I might type “Restoration Hardware outdoor” instead of scrolling endlessly through junky old stuff.
Attempted murder and other online-selling horror stories
I don’t mean to frighten you, but there seems to be a disturbing trend when people sell on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist. Sure, these platforms are a decent place to make cash, but scary stuff does happen.
Earlier this year, a Florida man was robbed at gunpoint when he met with a buyer for his old iPhone. The suspect was armed and demanded that the guy hand over the device.
He didn’t — and the suspect fired a shot into the ground and clocked him in the face with the gun. Yes, he got away with the phone. Just last week in Oklahaoma, a woman was badly injured in a Facebook Marketplace meet-up gone bad.
Meeting at night is a no-no
The woman agreed to swap a Nintendo Switch for a laptop. Things took a dark turn. When the man arrived in the dark parking lot, the woman noticed the laptop wasn’t what he showed her online. When she called him out, the man grabbed both items and hopped back in the truck.
She reached in to take her Switch back, and he shifted into reverse, dragging her quite a while before she hit the pavement. The man was charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Don’t give out your address
A Seattle man found a buyer for his used MacBook Pro through OfferUp. He gave the buyer his home address, and when he pulled up, the seller noticed the license plates were just dealership ad cards (a big red flag).
The buyer insisted on using CashApp and showing the laptop to his girlfriend, who was sitting in the car. When the seller refused, the buyer pulled an eight-inch knife on the man. Yeah, he got away with the laptop.
Practice safe selling
It might be your best bet to go entirely online and let a site like Amazon, Decluttr or Gazelle take your old tech gear. If you do want to sell to someone locally, do it the safe way:
- Meet in a public place for your exchange. Bring a friend. Libraries, police departments, and municipal buildings are all safe bets. Check out police department safe trading zones in your area.
- Stick to daylight hours. If it has to be at night, make sure your meeting place is well-lit and bring someone along.
- Ask for cash. Some people are fine with payment platforms like PayPal, Venmo or CashApp, but not me.
- Be aware of your surroundings. When the other party arrives, look at the vehicle and license plate number. Snap a pic if you can without arousing suspicion.
- Avoid giving your real phone number. If you’re using Facebook Marketplace, communicate through the app. You can also set up a free burner phone number.
Username mistakes you're making that put you at risk online
When it comes to online security, you’ll hear plenty of chatter about passwords. And for good reason. Strong, unique passwords are among the first lines of defense against hackers, spammers and scammers.
We’ve been trained to use good password practices for some time. Most websites request a mix of capital and lowercase letters, numbers, special characters and any combination. But there’s more to creating a secure password. Tap or click here for 10 tips to lock down your accounts with strong passwords.
The dangers of selling online
Selling on FB Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist? I’ll tell you the risks, in one minute.
How to bring in more income in the new year by selling your stuff
Are you new to the neighborhood or want to connect with your community? Try joining a buy nothing group. Neighbors pass around items for free, which is a great way to save money on things you need and establish rapport. Tap or click here for safe ways to get free stuff from next door.
3 simple ways to stay safe using buying apps like OfferUp and Craigslist
The internet is the ultimate marketplace for affordable, rare, or otherwise unattainable yet desirable goods. Tap or click here for five ways to get free shipping online.
Just like with any interaction with a stranger online, though, doing things without putting yourself in danger is a task all its own. The problem will only compound if seeing the other party in person is necessary.
Do this free check so you don't buy a STOLEN phone
Smartphones are expensive, and you don’t always have an extra $1,3000 to buy the latest and greatest device. That’s why some people turn to secondhand phones to save money. But how do you know that the used gadget isn’t stolen?
These 16 malware-infected apps have 20 million downloads
Apps hiding malware are becoming a common problem. Malicious apps like these have been around in third-party app stores for a while. But official app stores are supposed to protect us from bad actors getting to our devices.
Selling stuff? Apps and sites better than Craigslist
Back in the day, Craigslist was the go-to way to sell your old stuff online. We have all heard the stories of when things go wrong. It’s a reason why many local police departments let you conduct transactions in their facilities.
Selling something online? Reveal your real number and someone could hack your accounts
As long as the internet exists, there will be scams. This is an unfortunate reality. We can only hope to be as vigilant as possible, but even the most careful people out there can fall victim.
A little extra pocket money is always useful, especially during a pandemic. One way to supplement income is to sell your old stuff. This can become quite lucrative if you have the right item and buyer lined up. Tap or click here to see how easy it is to sell old trading cards on eBay.
Tips and tricks for buying a used Peloton bike
The pandemic has not only forced people to rethink their working routines but also where to exercise. Social distancing protocols and mask-wearing ruled out going to the gym for many.
Through these trying times, Peloton’s exercise equipment became all the rage. And where demand is greater than the supply, it can be rather tough to get your hands on a Peloton Bike right now. Tap or click for fitness gadgets you can pick up right now.
Forget eBay and Facebook Marketplace - Try this app to buy and sell
Have you ever heard of the popular online marketplace apps OfferUp and letgo? If you haven’t, they’re competitors of eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Recently, OfferUp purchased letgo and has integrated it into its platform.
10 best apps to sell your stuff and make money fast
Who doesn’t have a bit of clutter in their house? Whether it’s stored away in the corner of your basement, shoved in an extra closet or lined along shelves, you most likely have items just sitting around collecting dust.