How to use Facebook Marketplace and selling pages to exchange your junk for cash

FACEBOOK has just launched a brand new feature allowing users to buy and sell things to others in their local area - but how safe is it?

Facebook Marketplace is set to rival sites like eBay and Gumtree by selling anything from clothes, computers, crafts and cars.

But security experts are warning about the dangers of the new service which has no secure payment facility or star ratings system to protect its users.

The social network giant says that once a buyer has made an offer, it is between them and the seller to work out the details "in any way you choose".

They add: "Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items in Marketplace."

Instead it suggests an in-person meetup or for consumers to use PayPal.

But with that comes risks, says David Emm, a cyber security expert at Kaspersky Labs urged users to exercise caution while using it, saying: "Because this is offering itself as a platform for trading, but at the same time its not like Uber where there's registered people, it is up to users to see if someone is fake.

It is up to users to see if someone is fake.

David EmmCyber security expert

"It also presents the risk of face-to-face meetings in local areas, which has the potential to be taken advantage of by criminals or paedophiles.

"It's also easy to post a nice picture of something and charge money for something even if the real goods don't exist, or they are stolen or illegal."

Within hours of Facebook launching a new Marketplace feature users were trying to flog drugs, guns, animals and adult services.

The social media giant was forced to apologise after a technical issue allowed posts advertising illicit goods.

It turned out a technical issue stopped the company from identifying posts that breached its policies, when the feature was initially launched.

What are the pros and cons of Facebook Marketplace?

FACEBOOK has gone up against some big players in the selling business after launching its new feature, Marketplace.

But now it's up and running, how does it compare to the likes of eBay, Gumtree and Etsy?
1. SAFETY is paramount. This new feature gives users the freedom to research the buyer on their Facebook page to determine how reliable they believe them to be before buying or selling to them.
But because Facebook does not offer an in-built payment feature - it's down to the consumer to arrange to pay via PayPal or meet up in person.
The latter, of course, poses a risk as it's impossible to determine whether the seller is real or fake.
2. RELIABILITY is key. Some say that without a payment process, it might mean users are more likely to abandon items.

3. TRUSTWORTHINESS is the only way to ensure users come back for more. Facebook refuses to verify the products for sale - perhaps encouraging the global distribution of fraudulent and counterfeit goods.

4. SIMPLICITY and speed helps Facebook Marketplace stand out. Facebook users are now able to post pictures of their product online and advertise them for sale inside the app itself in real-time.

If successful, it could mean Facebook becomes the first port of call for buying and selling locally.

When Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg noticed that more than 450 million people use Facebook Groups to buy and sell, he decided to set up a one-stop-shop for his users.

Now, instead of visiting various garage sale-type groups, you can see everything for sale in your local area on Facebook Marketplace.

The average user already spends 50 minutes on Facebook a day. That’s up from 40 minutes in 2014.

Now, Facebook could be the new go-to for buying and selling household items.

And it means the platform’s wide network of 1.44 billion active monthly users will stay on the app for longer - and engage more with advertisement.

It's currently being rolled out through an update to the iOS and Android Facebook apps with plans for a desktop version available "in the coming months".

It is now available to everyone over 18 years old in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

No wonder Mark Zuckerberg is excited about his new creation.

How to use the new Facebook Marketplace feature?

According to Facebook selling an item on Marketplace is easy.

You simply:

1. TAKE a photo of your item or add it from your camera roll.

2. ENTER a product name, description and price.

3. CONFIRM your location and select a category.

4. POST.

If you are a buyer, you can search a number of items and filter results by location, category or price.

Marketplace also allows you to save items for later.

When you find something you want, you can send the seller a direct message via Marketplace to tell them you are interested and make an offer.

From that point on, you and the seller can work out the details in any way you choose.

Facebook does not facilitate the payment or delivery of items in Marketplace.

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