A Melbourne couple selling a PlayStation and games bundle on Facebook Marketplace before moving overseas received a rude shock when a potential buyer unleashed on them.
After the man’s attempt to get $30 off the selling price turned nasty, the sellers were berated with violent threats.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Facebook Marketplace buyer unleashes on Melbourne couple over PlayStation.
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Mariah Smith and Sam Lane agreed to sell their secondhand goods to a potential buyer for $150 last week, but while the potential buyer agreed on a price and pickup time, he also put in a bid for $30 less than the going price.
The $120 offer was declined online, but when they met the man at the base of their apartment building at, that’s precisely how much cash he handed Lane.
A video of Smith recounting the ordeal was posted on TikTok shortly after they met with the man, who flew off the handle when he realised his bargain hunting tactics had been unsuccessful.
“Sam was like, ‘This is only $120.’ And (the buyer) was like, ‘Yeah, that’s what we agreed on’,” Smith said, recalling how Lane then pulled up the message exchange on his phone.
“Then he just started screaming at Sam, like, ‘You’ve f***ing wasted my time’. And Sam was like, ‘You’ve wasted my time as well’.
“Sam took the PlayStation back and crossed the road, and the guy was yelling out, ‘Go back to f***ing England. Come back here, and I’ll bash your f***ing head in’.
“Honestly, Marketplace is f***ing crazy, and I’m so glad we live in an apartment complex.”
The ordeal prompted Smith’s audience to share their own experiences with aggressive potential buyers on Facebook Marketplace, and advice on using the platform in the future.
“Selling tech on (Facebook Marketplace) is the worst — we’ve been told that we would be stalked before,” one person said.
“I’ve had people trying to steal a car I was selling on Marketplace,” another said.
A third wrote: “He knew but was hoping you’d still agree to the $120, (I’ve) been there heaps of times, it’s also why I meet at a shopping centre.”
“This is why I never give my address out until I suss the person out,” another added.
Facebook advises users to take measures when buying and selling on the platform to ensure their safety.
“If you’re meeting someone in person, we recommend arranging your meeting in a public, well-lit area. Create and share your meeting plan with a trusted friend or family member,” Facebook said.
“Once you and the buyer or seller have agreed on a meetup location, do not change this location. Bring your mobile phone with you, and make sure that the battery is charged. Avoid carrying excessively large amounts of cash with you.”
