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Buy and Sell Safely on Online Marketplaces

Local marketplaces are great for deals, but come with risks. Safe habits matter.

Step by step

  1. Meet in a public place. A police station parking lot if available.
  2. Bring a friend. Especially for large items.
  3. Use cash for local deals. Avoid overpayment checks.
  4. Do not share codes. A verification code sent to you is a scam sign.
  5. Trust your gut. Walk away if uneasy.

What to expect

Expect friendly deals and the occasional scam attempt.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not share verification codes. Avoid paying before seeing items.

A good next step

Meet at a police station lobby if available.

Buying safely

  • Meet in public.
  • Inspect before paying.
  • Use secure payment.
  • Be wary of deals that are too good.

Selling safely, step by step

  1. Write an honest listing.
  2. Use the platform's messaging.
  3. Never accept checks that exceed the price.
  4. Meet in a public place.
  5. Confirm payment arrived before handing over goods.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

Write a short, polite message to a buyer arranging a public meeting to sell a lawn mower, with no personal information.

Good to know. Never send money to hold an item.

Want to try this with a friendly teacher?

Join a free live class on Zoom. Small group, no experience needed, no sign-up fee.

Reserve a free seat

Common questions

Is shipping safer?

It can be, with protected payment methods.

What about payment apps?

Only receive payments from people you know, and verify the payment arrived.

Which payment is safest?

Cash in person for small items, or the platform's protected payment.

What if I get scammed?

Report it to the platform and the FTC.

Can AI write my listing?

Yes. Keep it accurate.

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