Think scammers are everywhere? You’re not wrong. The moment you list something for sale—whether online or offline—suddenly everyone’s sliding into your inbox. Some promise the world, others try to talk you down to pennies, and quite a few simply waste your time. But genuine buyers? They’re not unicorns—they do exist, and if you know where to look and what signs to watch for, you can find them without getting burned.
What Separates Genuine Buyers from the Rest?
Not everyone reaching out to you has honest intentions, and some play their part so well it’s hard to spot the difference. Here’s the thing: real buyers leave subtle clues, if you’re paying attention. They ask smart questions about your product or service. They care about details like delivery times, condition, authenticity, or price justification. Time-wasters keep the conversation vague, ask for discounts before they even know what they’re buying, or try to rush you into a deal that clearly benefits them more than you.
It’s wild but true—Australia saw over 130,000 cases of online shopping scams reported in a recent year, costing individuals and businesses millions. And while this stat stings, it means loads of sellers are running into the same kind of trouble you’re worried about. So when someone reaches out and immediately wants to pay with a weird method, asks for your bank details, or sends an overcomplicated message, just stop. Real buyers don’t play games. They focus on your product, use common platforms, and have a social media or sales history you can actually check.
Here’s a trick: Search their phone number or email on Google. Genuine buyers are rarely ghosts. If nothing pops up—or if you see scam reports tied to their contact info—just move on. This little due diligence step saves you grief in the long run.
Where to Look for Authentic Buyers
Throwing your product into the wilds of the internet is a gamble, so stick to spots where buyers are vetted and conversations happen in public. Online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Australia’s Gumtree all have in-built messaging and dispute resolution tools. While none of these are perfect, they’re a far cry safer than some random classifieds site or chat app.
- eBay: Protects both buyers and sellers with reputation scores and secure payment options. Some categories even offer insurance against fraud.
- Facebook Marketplace: Lets you check out a buyer’s profile, shared friends, and even activity before finalizing anything. Red flag if someone refuses to chat via Facebook or tries to move the convo to WhatsApp instantly.
- Gumtree: Has a scam watch page and plenty of tips for recognizing dodgy buyers. Use the platform’s chat for negotiation—don’t hand out your phone number without reason.
Prefer something more traditional? Many local communities run buy-swap-sell groups, where you’ll deal with people nearby. Meeting face-to-face in a public place, like a café, cuts out a lot of the unknowns. Cash is safer than accepting fancy payment links or weird QR code requests—especially for bigger ticket items.
| Platform | Buyer Verification | Safe Payment Options | Dispute Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay | Reputation score, buyer history | PayPal, credit card | Yes |
| Facebook Marketplace | Profile visibility | Cash, PayID | Limited |
| Gumtree | No official check | Cash, bank transfer | No |
Pro tip: Always steer clear of offers that sound too good to be true. Someone offering to pay double? It’s usually a phishing attempt, not a genuine buyer. Stick to your price, stay on the platform, and never ship an item until the payment lands securely in your account.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Knowing what sets off alarm bells can save you more than just money—it saves time and stress. The biggest giveaways? Requests to use odd payment methods, stories about being overseas (especially military or medical), and lots of pressure to complete the transaction fast. Ever spotted a buyer who only messages outside normal business hours, or never picks up when you suggest a phone call? That’s suspect behavior.
Another big one: Personal checks. Unless you trust the buyer fully, avoid them. There’s a lag before the money clears, and cheques bounce all the time. Instead, choose PayID, cash, or even PayPal in ‘goods and services’ mode—but never accept a ‘friends and family’ payment, as those aren’t covered by buyer or seller protection. Did you know PayID scams alone hit Aussie sellers hard in 2024, with scammers sending fake bank screenshots and requests for sellers to ‘refund the overpayment’? The banking system never works this way. Tell them to move along.
If a buyer’s account is brand new or has no reviews or sales activity, be extra careful. This doesn’t always mean they’re dodgy, but it does mean you should be more thorough. Ask for a public social media profile or LinkedIn. Genuine buyers don’t get upset when you do your homework—they’d do the same if roles were reversed.
Don’t overlook language. Poor grammar, copy-paste responses, and generic questions about ‘your item’ rather than referring to your exact listing… classic scammer signs. If you feel uneasy during the conversation at any point, trust your gut. Every legit seller has had that shifty feeling once or twice—and usually, it means you’ve just avoided a scam.
Making the Sale Safe and Smooth
Once you’ve found a buyer you feel good about, it’s time to close the deal. But don’t drop your guard just yet. Always meet in a safe public place. Australia Post offices double as great meet-up spots for bigger sales; most banks let you count cash deposits on the spot if you’re selling something pricey. Avoid secluded areas or giving out your home address—unless you’re selling something enormous like a sofa, and even then, bring a mate along for backup.
If you’re shipping, document the transaction. Take photos of the item, the packaging, and the receipt with a tracking number. Send this info to the buyer—not only does this show you’re a real person, but it also reassures them. Buyers are wary of being ripped off, too. Using tracked shipping dramatically cuts down on disputes. In fact, sellers who use tracking with Australia Post reported way fewer chargebacks and item-not-received complaints last year.
- Always use registered post or tracked courier options
- Don’t send items until the money clears, even if the buyer is super friendly or pushy
- If a dispute comes up, keep all conversations written and within the sales platform’s system for easy reference
Protect yourself with a simple sale agreement if you’re dealing with valuable goods—this can be as easy as a text confirming both sides agree on the price, item condition, and pickup details. If you ever get a ‘buyer’ trying to change the terms at the last minute, walk away. A real buyer knows what they want and doesn’t play games. If you get caught in a scam and lose money, report it quickly to your bank and to Scamwatch. They can sometimes halt or recover funds before things get worse.
Building Trust as a Seller
If you want real buyers, give them reasons to trust you from the start. High-quality photos, detailed and honest descriptions, and quick responses go a long way. Add a short video run-through if you can—buyers love seeing an item in action. Sharing extra details—like why you’re selling—can boost your credibility. Avoid using too much sales talk, though. People can spot a hard sell from a mile off, and nothing makes folks more suspicious than a seller who oversells or dodges questions.
Your own reputation matters. If you’re using platforms with feedback—like eBay—make sure you collect positive reviews whenever you can. Offer buyers a chance to leave feedback or share their experience. Even offline, people buy from those whose names and faces they recognize. Join local groups or forums where you can build a name as a fair dealer. One popular Sydney trading group started a system where members vouch for each other, making it easier to check who’s who before buying or selling. That extra bit of transparency does wonders for both sides.
Got a business? Registering your ABN or putting up your business name helps big time. In one ACCC report, buyers were almost twice as likely to pay more for items sold by sellers with a proper business address or transparent brand than anonymous individuals. It’s not hard: a quick LinkedIn profile, a Facebook business page, or even just a consistent username across platforms makes your presence feel real, not fly-by-night. The more open you are, the more trustworthy you appear—and that brings in the genuine buyers looking to do solid business, not play games.
