Last post, I talked all about Facebook groups – and how great they are for finding deals! While it’s easy to find deals online, it’s also pretty easy for things to go wrong with Facebook group transactions. Today’s post is going to highlight some of the ways that things go wrong and how
Worst case scenario: So you got scammed.
You bought something from a scammer. Uh oh. Maybe they didn’t send you anything at all. Maybe you bought a CWD bridle, but the one you received was anything but. There are lots of ways that people try and scam others online.
Always protect yourself when buying from people you don’t know. The best way to protect yourself is to always use Paypal. Always request an invoice from anyone you’re buying from. Don’t let someone convince you to just send them money using the friends and family option.
If you did not receive the item you thought you were supposed to, always try and message the seller first. Sometimes mistakes happen! Being willing to communicate is important. Always ask for clarification from the seller before resorting to other options. Paypal does offer protection for buyers.
No matter how mad you get, maintain composure. Don’t start swearing and yelling in a post on the group page. Most groups have a page or a post specifically to submit complaints about other group members. Use that, but be professional. Submit complaints to the appropriate moderators.
The item received was the wrong size!
This happened to me recently. I’ve been on the hunt for a 5.5″ rubber hunter dee ring bit. For some reason, this has been hard to find used! I posted several “in search of” posts in various groups, and I had someone comment saying they had one! I double checked that it was a 5.5″ and went ahead and purchased the bit. However, when I got it, it did not fit my horse. Sure enough, it was even labeled a 5″! Despite my best efforts, I had ended up with something in the wrong size.
In this situation, I had a couple of options. I could either contact the seller, request a refund, and ship the bit back or I could attempt to re-sell it myself. I decided to go ahead and send the seller a message first. She was a little bit frustrated, but she did go ahead and refund me. I shipped the bit back right away, tracking a provided, and all was well.
When buying sized items such as clothes, blankets, and bits, always request pictures of the size labels! That can prevent a lot of the mishaps with sizing issues. I had asked for a picture of the bit, but the way the bit designed made it look like a 5.5″ when it was really a 5″. Fortunately, everything worked out well for both parties.
If a seller does not want to take a refund, Paypal offers options for buyers who receive items that were not as described. Take advantage of these if you must, but always try and communicate with sellers first. Be kind and patient – most of the people selling on Facebook are not out to get you. They’re just horse people trying to buy and sell, just like you.
I sold something, but the buyer hasn’t paid yet!
Always make sure you receive payment for an item before shipping it out. Most people these days use Paypal, which makes it easy to keep track of orders and their shipping options. Use the invoice option, which gives you the opportunity to include descriptions of the items sold, shipping costs, and appropriate taxes.
Keep in contact with buyers. I use the Facebook Messenger app on my phone that makes communication easy. However, oftentimes messages get sent to the “other” folder when I’m not friends with buyers. The app does not offer the option to check this folder, so make sure you check it frequently from the website! I’ve missed several messages that way.
Remember that other people may be in different time zones from you. They may be at work. They may have to wait until they get home to access Paypal. Be patient!
These are only a few of the ways that Facebook sales can go awry! The most important things to remember are communication and patience. Always try and talk things out with other group members. Be polite when interacting with others.
Look for Part 2 of this series soon!
The Thrifty Equestrian 