Sell Online Safely
Pick the right platform. Follow nine rules. Never get scammed.
Six platforms compared
Facebook Marketplace
Best for: Local pickup of furniture, appliances, large items.
Pros
- +Free to list
- +Huge local audience
- +Buyers see your real Facebook profile (less anonymous)
- +No shipping needed for local pickup
Cons
- −No buyer protection
- −Spam buyers ("is this still available?")
- −Have to meet strangers
eBay
Best for: Anything specific or collectible — vintage, electronics, name brands.
Pros
- +Largest US audience
- +PayPal protection covers both sides
- +Auction format pushes prices up
Cons
- −Real fees: 13% final value + payment processing
- −Have to ship
- −Seller scams (chargebacks 60+ days later)
OfferUp
Best for: Local pickup, simpler than Facebook Marketplace.
Pros
- +No Facebook account needed
- +Built-in messaging
- +Lower fees than eBay
Cons
- −Smaller audience than Facebook
- −Same in-person scam risk
Nine rules for any platform
- 1
Take great photos
Natural light from a window. Solid background. Multiple angles. Photos sell — bad ones do not.
- 2
Write a clear, honest description
Brand, model, condition, age, any flaws. Buyers respect honesty; they refund-claim against hype.
- 3
Price competitively
Search the same item on the platform first. Price slightly below the median if you want a fast sale.
- 4
Use platform messaging only
Never move to private text or WhatsApp before payment — that is where scams happen.
- 5
Accept ONLY the platform's payment system
eBay payments through eBay. Marketplace through Facebook Pay or in-person cash. NEVER Zelle or PayPal Friends & Family.
- 6
For local pickup, meet at a Safe Exchange Zone
Most US police stations have parking spots specifically for this. Free, well-lit, cameras. Bring a friend.
- 7
For shipping, use platform's label
eBay, Mercari, Poshmark all generate shipping labels with built-in tracking. Never ship without tracking — buyer claims "did not arrive" otherwise.
- 8
Wait for funds to clear before shipping
Especially on Marketplace and OfferUp. PayPal can hold a payment for 21 days on a new seller. Wait until you see "available balance".
- 9
Save all messages and tracking
Take screenshots. If a dispute happens 30 days later, you need the receipts.
The most common online-selling scam, in one paragraph
A buyer offers to overpay you with a check. They ask you to refund the difference via Zelle. The check bounces a week later — and now you owe the bank both the bad check AND the cash you wired to the scammer. If anyone overpays, walks away. Real buyers pay the asking price.