Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove for second-hand electronics, furniture and collectibles. In the market for something a little … weirder? Scroll past the old bikes and baby clothes and you’ll be shocked at what’s hidden in plain sight.
Things that used to be sold only on the Dark Web and other shady corners of the internet are popping up on Facebook in droves. You can get your hands on everything from Ozempic and illegal drugs to used undies.
A one-stop shop for oddities
With over a billion active users and an easy payment system, Facebook Marketplace is a go-to spot for those who dwell (and sell) in the shadows. A search for “mushrooms” will turn up a bunch of listings, and not for the kind you cook with.
One psychedelic mushroom dealer on the platform runs ads showing various strains and what’s in stock.
You’ll find plenty of ads for worn lingerie, too. A woman who earns quite a bit from selling used underwear, nude photos and explicit videos explained how she gets away with it. She simply posts a photo of herself in the underwear listing and says her potential clients get the hint.
Pedaling drugs and nude photos aren’t allowed on Facebook. Parent company Meta claims it closely monitors things to identify and remove sketchy ads, and yet … all drug dealers and s*x workers have to do is get a little creative.
Meanwhile, on Craigslist
Facebook Marketplace isn’t the only place to buy and sell wacky goods and services. Craigslist has long been known for its off-color listings, and it’s still at it.
Breeze through the site’s best-of-craigslist postings and you’ll see that Facebook isn’t the only one. One ad requests help to recover a hidden obelisk, calling it a “serious job.” If you’re interested in helping, the obelisk hunter is willing to pay over $100, depending on how much you discover.
If you’re looking for an RV, how about a haunted 1988 Winnebago LeSharo? The previous owner “killed her husband and traveled in it before being caught and imprisoned.” Oh, and the husband Gerald “haunts the back table and likes to have morning coffee with whoever is around.”
Swap safely
Common sense advice: Don’t buy anything illegal online. Beyond that …
- Use a burner phone number to communicate with buyers and sellers. Never give out your real one.
- Google Voice scams are common, so be on the lookout. If someone gets a hold of your phone number and then asks you to send a code, they want to take over.
- Never disclose your personal information to an online buyer or seller. Avoid pickups and dropoffs at your address and opt for a public place instead.
- Be wary of fake profiles. Signs of a scammer account include a missing profile photo and accounts created very recently.
You can find some pretty dang good deals online. My favorite price is free. Check out this guide to getting free stuff around your neighborhood.
