I guess I'm the odd one out, but I think this actually happens sometimes on FB marketplace. I did it and it was not a scam. I was buying a piece of furniture (about $500) and the person was going to deliver it to me (about 1 hour drive) a few days later. He asked for 10 or 20% deposit. I was hesitant but spent some time looking up his profile and he seemed legit. If it was real, I understood him not wanting to pass up other offers in the next few days and/or driving with it just to have me change my mind or something. Yes, it might be a scam. But it might not. I would research the person's profile and decide how much risk you're willing to take. If it's the first item they are selling... maybe not. If they have a strong selling record...maybe it's not a scam.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, it's unusual that they don't want it gone ASAP. The story is, they just sold in Georgetown and have a bunch of newish/ lightly used furniture and appliances they are getting rid of. They moved out of town and will be back in 2 weeks to empty the house.

It's true, it could be a scam. Rather elaborate but possible, that's why I'm being cautious.

It's not that elaborate, and it earns them about $100. Plus they can try the same thing multiple times. I would bail, unless it's stuff you REALLY think you can't live without and are willing to lose the $100 when it turns out it was, indeed, a scam.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, it's unusual that they don't want it gone ASAP. The story is, they just sold in Georgetown and have a bunch of newish/ lightly used furniture and appliances they are getting rid of. They moved out of town and will be back in 2 weeks to empty the house.

It's true, it could be a scam. Rather elaborate but possible, that's why I'm being cautious.

Huh? Scams ARE elaborate. How else do you think they work so often?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, it's unusual that they don't want it gone ASAP. The story is, they just sold in Georgetown and have a bunch of newish/ lightly used furniture and appliances they are getting rid of. They moved out of town and will be back in 2 weeks to empty the house.

It's true, it could be a scam. Rather elaborate but possible, that's why I'm being cautious.

Get there name and address pull the listing and tax records, verify and decide

The scammer has the same ability to pull that info from tax records.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, it's unusual that they don't want it gone ASAP. The story is, they just sold in Georgetown and have a bunch of newish/ lightly used furniture and appliances they are getting rid of. They moved out of town and will be back in 2 weeks to empty the house.

It's true, it could be a scam. Rather elaborate but possible, that's why I'm being cautious.

Get there name and address pull the listing and tax records, verify and decide

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone buy things from FB or Craigslist? I am interested in purchasing something for about $1k. The owner has asked for 10% deposit in good faith until I can come pick it up in 2 weeks (because they are out of town).

I'm not a newbie and know there are many online scammers, so I'm not comfortable just venmo'ing $100, but with the growth of online transactions, I'm wondering if there is some sort of legitimate "mini" escrow holding service that I just don't know about? Any other ideas?

You interested in beach-front property I have for sale in Kansas?

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone buy things from FB or Craigslist? I am interested in purchasing something for about $1k. The owner has asked for 10% deposit in good faith until I can come pick it up in 2 weeks (because they are out of town).

I'm not a newbie and know there are many online scammers, so I'm not comfortable just venmo'ing $100, but with the growth of online transactions, I'm wondering if there is some sort of legitimate "mini" escrow holding service that I just don't know about? Any other ideas?

Don't be a rube - it's obviously a scam. Public place, cash and carry, buyer beware, seller be careful!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes, it's unusual that they don't want it gone ASAP. The story is, they just sold in Georgetown and have a bunch of newish/ lightly used furniture and appliances they are getting rid of. They moved out of town and will be back in 2 weeks to empty the house.

It's true, it could be a scam. Rather elaborate but possible, that's why I'm being cautious.

Super nice pictures and items with a random assortment- its a scam!!!

Anonymous wrote:If you can't pick it up because THEY are out of town and then THEY are asking for a deposit, that has red flags all over it.

this. i once accepted a deposit for an item i was selling that the buyer really wanted me to hold for them-- but i didn't *offer* a deposit for holding, and was prepared to just sell it to the first person who showed up.

Nope. Why are they listing things when they're out of town? Classic scam.

If you can't pick it up because THEY are out of town and then THEY are asking for a deposit, that has red flags all over it.