This column previously recommended eBay, the world’s largest online marketplace, for buying and selling things. eBay is great for small items that can be easily shipped. But what about other types of trades?
Local online marketplaces are playing a larger and larger role in our lives these days. Furniture, real estate, romance, ride-sharing, pets, social groups and events, job vacancies and many other marketplace items are found here. Most online ads are free. Two popular marketplace web sites in the United States and Canada are craigslist.com.mx ( or .ca or .org), and kijiji.ca (or .com - also known as ebayclassifieds.com in the USA). In Mexico, popular web sites include olx.com.mx, www.mundoanuncio.com.mx, and adoos.com.mx.
Unlike eBay, these web sites are focused on local trades. Advertisements and notices are tied to a particular city. The web sites are designed to bring people together in person, rather than buying and selling online.
These online marketplaces have their pros and cons. They are a great way to connect large numbers of private buyers and sellers of goods and services with each other. You can search and evaluate specific options from the comfort of your own home before actually going out and meeting someone. But because the web site users are unknown private individuals, you need to be careful of some things.
First, don’t pay any money until you’ve actually seen, in person, the object or service you’re buying. If you pay money and then aren’t satisfied with the purchase, you have little practical recourse. “Buyer beware” is an important mantra.
When meeting someone for the first time, make sure it’s in a public place. Tell someone where you’re going or take a friend, and carry a cellphone.
Cash is king. Unless you really trust the person you’re dealing with, asking for cash-in-hand avoids trouble with scams. Never send money via Western Union, Moneygram or similar. Don’t accept cashier checks or money orders. Don’t use an escrow service you don’t know and trust. These are classic scam techniques. “Guarantees” given by scammers are anything but.
Don’t give out personal information that isn’t absolutely necessary for the transaction — especially your personal address and financial details. When posting ads, many online marketplaces offer the option of disguising your e-mail address, to keep you safe from spam. Do this.
If you follow these precautions and use your common sense, online marketplaces are amazing sources of goods, services, and community that can save you money and time. They are easy to use, fun, and well worth exploring.
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