Marketplace · 3 min read
Before you pay a marketplace seller
An attractive listing is only the start. The payment request deserves its own check.
An illustrative example
“Pay me directly now to hold it. Use Friends and Family so there’s no fee.”
A seller may use a low price or another interested buyer to rush you away from the marketplace’s checkout.
This example is fictional and shows a common tactic.
What to look for
- An insistence on a personal transfer for a purchase.
- An unexplained move away from the platform’s messaging or payment tools.
- Payment screenshots offered instead of independently verifiable records.
A more informed next step
Check the seller and the platform’s protection terms. Consider a payment method with eligible purchase protection and keep the listing and messages.
If you already acted
If an item never arrives, use the provider’s purchase-dispute route when applicable and keep your transaction evidence.
Find guidance for your situation →Sources & further reading
- FTC · Online shopping Government guidance
- PayPal · Learn about scams Provider guidance
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Provider terms and support routes can change.