How to Avoid Scams on Online Marketplaces
Red flags to spot before you buy, which platforms have the best buyer protection, and which payment methods are safe for online purchases.
Most second-hand transactions go fine. But cross-border buying adds risk: you can't inspect the item, shipping takes days, and returning something to another country can be expensive. A few habits make scams easy to spot before they cost you money.
Red flags that should stop you immediately
Stock photos in a used listing. If every photo is a glossy manufacturer shot (especially for electronics) the seller doesn't have the item. Legitimate sellers post actual photos, even if they're taken on a kitchen table with bad lighting.
The price is too good. A €500 item listed at €120 by a new account is not a deal. Scammers price low enough to bypass your skepticism but high enough to make it worth their time. To know the sold item's average second-hand value, we recommend checking eBay or other similar platforms.
The seller pushes you off-platform. "Message me on WhatsApp" or "pay directly, it's cheaper" means they want to take you somewhere with no buyer protection and no paper trail. Always stay on the platform on which the item is listed.
The account is hours or days old with zero reviews. Anyone can create an account and list a €900 item in under a minute. Check the seller's profile. If they joined this week and have no history, walk away.
Urgency pressure. "Three other people are interested" or "I need the money by Friday" is a script. Real sellers don't rush you. If you feel pressured, it's because they don't want you to think.
Vague condition description. "Used, works fine" with no details. Sellers trying to hide something use as few words as possible. Honest sellers describe faults proactively because they don't want returns either.
They refuse to send additional photos. Asking for a photo of a specific angle or the serial number is a fast test. A real seller won’t oppose sending additional pictures. A scammer makes excuses or disappears.
Payment methods: safest to riskiest
Safest: Platform-integrated payment (eBay checkout, Vinted payment, Leboncoin payment, Reverb checkout, ...). Your money is held by the platform until the item arrives. If there's a problem, you open a case and get refunded.
Acceptable: PayPal Goods & Services (not Friends & Family). PayPal offers buyer protection for physical goods. Costs the seller a small fee. If the seller insists on Friends & Family (see below), it's a red flag.
Risky: Bank transfer (SEPA). Once the money is sent, it's gone. Use only if you've bought from the seller before, or the platform has an escrow system backing it.
Do not use: PayPal Friends & Family, Western Union, crypto, gift cards. These payment methods offer zero protection and are the preferred payment method of scammers. Any seller asking for these is running a scam. It doesn't matter how good the listing looks.
Platform buyer protection: ranked
Not all platforms protect you equally. Here's how some of the most popular platforms compare for second-hand purchases:
eBay — The strongest. Covers non-delivery, not-as-described items, and counterfeits. eBay almost always sides with the buyer in disputes. Use the platform's payment system — never PayPal Friends & Family.
Vinted — Good. Buyer Protection covers non-delivery and significantly misdescribed items. The buyer pays a small protection fee built into the price. Items must be reported within 2 days of delivery.
Leboncoin — Good for domestic French purchases. Their integrated payment system holds funds until you confirm receipt. Cross-border protection is less clear.
Marktplaats / 2dehands — Moderate. The "Gelijk oversteken" (safe payment) feature holds funds in escrow, but is only an optional feature. Many sellers prefer direct bank transfer.
Kleinanzeigen — Offers no buyer protection nor payment system. Bargains exist because there's no safety net. This platform is one of the riskiest. Consider it pickup-only if you're having doubts about the seller.
What to do if you get scammed
Contact the platform's support immediately, as most disputes must be opened within a short window (eBay: 30 days, Vinted: 2 days after delivery). Provide screenshots of the listing, messages, and payment confirmation. Be factual, not emotional. For bank transfers, contact your bank.