Facebook has become a popular site for businesses to start selling online. That isn’t really a big deal, the issue I have is with the number of ‘cowboy’ sellers on there.
And if you are scammed it may end up being difficult to do anything.
I have made 3 major purchases off ‘companies’ selling off Facebook. And only once have I been happy. I have decided to share these, to show how careful you have to be.
The first time I purchased some canvases as a present for my sister. The ‘artists’ worked looked stunning so I thought nothing could go wrong. How wrong was I.
The canvas’s used were cheap.
They looked tacky.
You could see glue blobs around the gems.
There was no way on earth I could give them as a present to my sister.
Thankfully they were accepted back, although I ended up paying postage to return them
I then found another page doing ‘luxury art’. And again the work looked stunning. I put off ordering but then contacted the seller, showed her the picture of the glue blobs and she assured me she took pride in her work and would never send something like that. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and was pleased with her work. I reviewed her work Luxury Art: Heaven’s Islamic Words on the blog.
However, the third seller has seriously put me buying off anyone on Facebook in future.
It was a footmuff for Bee, priced at £55. So not cheap.
The order was placed in November and I was advised that it would take 3-4 weeks to make as the material I had selected was to come from USA.
No problem I said.
Then a week or so later, she got ill and a hold was put on all orders. She offered refunds or we can wait. I decided to wait and see how long it took her to recover.
When there was no update for a while I messaged her asking for a refund as I wasn’t sure when I would get it. I was immediately messaged back saying it would be posted out the following Tuesday.
Was it heck?
She got ill again.
Fair enough, people do get ill. SO again I said no problem I can wait until after the new year.
New year comes and her page has vanished off Facebook.
So panic starts to set it.
As suddenly as the page vanishes, it reappeared. And I was eventually told after initially ignoring my messages, that she had accidentally made a car seat foot muff instead of a pushchair one. Even though she had the money for a pushchair footmuff.
Again no problem I said and asked for a refund.
It would take 7 days to clear……. 7 days?! For a paypal refund?!
No problem I will wait. As maybe she needed to transfer funds from somewhere else.
7 days come and go………no refund. Not responding to messages. UNTIL I threaten to take it further.
The reply? Oh it should have cleared by now…will look into it.
Cleared? What are you on about? Paypal is immediate.
By now my patience was wearing thin so gave her 48 hours to repay before I took action.
No payment made, as apparently she was at a funeral. I commented on her page…and the page vanished.
Now what? How do I trace her to get my money back? And I realised I cannot open a dispute with Paypal as I was over the 45 day time limit.
Luckily I had friends who knew her who told me her personal profile. I messaged her on that threatening to take her to trading standards. to contact Paypal, to contact the HMRC to find out if she was registered as self employed and all sorts.
I did not want to get nasty but I had no choice.
Once she realised I had her personal profile, her page reappeared and she immediately refunded me.
A happy ending for me, but what if I hadn’t learnt what her personal profile was? What if I couldn’t have messaged her threatening to expose her? There was a number on paypal but have a sneaking suspicion that may not have been a correct number. Even if I went to Trading Standards how could they have traced her? Maybe there is a way but even if there is, it would probably take along time to find her and get her to repay me.
How would you have dealt with it? Do you buy off Facebook pages? Have you protected yourself in any way from possible scammers?
I’ve not bought anything off Facebook – I must admit I prefer good old fashioned ebay – at least I can rant on their rating if it’s duff!
Will be sticking to Ebay after this!!
i do buy from facebook but it is all depend your luck. Some companies are really good but some are out there to scam people.
Eileen Teo recently posted…Simple Way to Teach Children Chinese Zodiac #CNY #15
I haven’t bought from facebook and tbh I don’t think I would, there is quite a bit of risk there and i think the type of attitude you have encountered may be quite comment. I rather go with a reputable company, or atleast ebay
Oh no, I’ve never bought anything off FB and don’t think I will now.
I have never bought fromFB and don’t think i will now.
natalie recently posted…Snuggle up in these coats
I have heard some awful stories when people have brought from Facebook – I personally haven’t had a bad time but then I haven’t brought much and what I have has been through Etsy – I’m so glad you managed to get your money back in the end. x
Sarah Bailey recently posted…Personalised M&Ms for Valentines: Review
Oh my not good!
But glad you finally got your refund.
I’m sorry for your bad experiences. I’ve never b ought anything off Facebook and actually wouldn’t consider doing this for some of the same reasons that put you off.
Astrid recently posted…Myths about Health Anxiety
I’ve not bought anything from Facebook but did have a problem buying a footmuff for a Bugaboo too off a website a couple of years ago. In the end I had to threaten to report them to Trading Standards too if they wouldn’t refund me! Seems like rogues lurk everywhere and it’s rubbish when you are an unlucky one!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Saving space with the Bugaboo Bee
I don’t buy off Facebook for these very reasons. I only purchase online from reputable major suppliers or from small local businesses. Glad you got your money back.
Kirsty recently posted…Only One You by Linda Kranz
That sounds stressful. I only ever buy from Etsy or Ebay but your story has put me off buying anything for a while.
Jenny recently posted…Our perfect day at Center Parcs
How bad really Foz!
I would not have known how to deal with this. That’s why I don’t like much to buy off facebook, thought many things look good (on photo!!!)
Take care. XOXO
I have never bought anything of Facebook. And after reading about your experience, I don’t think I will. Thanks for sharing this.
VaiChin recently posted…Fun with Soft Dough
Oh my goodness what a horrible thing to have to go through. Glad you got it sorted in the end. i think I will be steering clear of buying on Facebook.
Emma (My Little 3 and Me) recently posted…Easy Sensory Play Lights
Goodness me, it sounds like you’ve had an awful time! I have not bought anything from Facebook sellers but I have known people that have and that have had no troubles. I think they have bought from sellers that they’ve seen on markets,at craft fairs ,etc. before purchasing though. Glad to hear that you got your money back though. I have no idea what I’d have done in that situation!
Oh dear you have had a bad experience.I hope you got your money back.
I have purchased things from people on facebook many times – but had good and bad experiences because it’s not regulated. It’s defo a case of buyer beware with things like facebook and other classifieds I’m afraid – though I agree it is not right x
Vicky recently posted…Mummy son time: so precious!
I haven’t ever bought from Facebook and don’t think I would – it’s not really set up to deal with the problems as you mentioned them.
What a pig for you to have to keep chasing. I’m glad it was finally resolved.
Laura recently posted…Black bean chilli
I haven’t bought anything off Facebook, but you should always keep within your 45 days so you can open a dispute with PayPal, who are really good with refunding you.
I am glad your ordeal was resolved to the best.
Orli D recently posted…Losing the Hebrew
I am still old fashioned. My girls do it all the time, me..no way!
I hope you get your money back.
Hi no I’ve never bought off Facebook but tbh I’ve had a year of problems with PayPal because someone hacked into my ebay account. PayPal were horrendous to deal with, until the police stepped in. So it’s all about Amazon now.