Is “is this still available” a scam on Facebook Marketplace?

Does Facebook send “is this still available” for you?

Sellers on Reddit complain about the line. In a September 2024 thread, one commenter said it is Facebook’s suggested first message, sent by a button that people can edit and often do not.

Facebook’s own Lite help describes a different sentence. It says a Send control can message the seller with “Is this available?”. The same page says the feature may be unavailable in Japan and in countries in Europe. That page does not prove the button is in the UK app today. A comment on Reddit is not Facebook’s rule either.

Facebook’s Lite help says you can tap Send to message a seller with the words “Is this available?”. The same page says this feature may be unavailable in Japan and in countries in Europe. That preset is not the sentence “Is this still available”, and the Europe note means the page does not prove the button is offered in the UK app. Source

On a September 2024 Reddit thread, one commenter said “Is this still available” is Facebook’s suggested first message, sent by a button that people can edit and often do not. The same comment described later messages from far away, an offer to pay extra, and a request to return an overpayment. That is one person’s account, not Facebook’s help page. Source

When should I worry about the next message?

Reply with one useful question: when they can collect, and how they will pay in a way you can check in your own app. A normal buyer can answer that.

Be careful if the next message says they cannot meet, a courier will collect, you should post the item against an overpayment, or you should read out a text code. Those are different problems. Use the guides below. The opening line alone does not prove any of them.

Facebook’s Marketplace safety help says local pickup items paid person to person are not covered by Purchase Protection, and that Facebook does not offer refunds for person-to-person transactions. It says to avoid payment links and to log in through the payment service’s own website. It also says not to share financial information, such as a PayPal login or bank details, and to reject an overpayment that the buyer then asks you to send back. Source

Should I give my address just to show it is available?

No. “Yes, it is available” does not need your house number. Facebook’s help says to meet in a public, well-lit place if you are meeting, and to tell a friend the plan. Agree a time before you share a precise address.

If they only wanted to know the item was listed, they now have the answer. If they go quiet, you have lost a message, not the item.

Facebook’s Marketplace safety help recommends meeting in a public, well-lit place, and sharing the meeting plan with a trusted friend or family member. It says that if something seems suspicious you should cancel, stop the conversation and report the listing or person. Source

Where should I read next?

Read a courier who will collect and pay cash, a buyer who wants a text code, fake payment emails, “Hi I'm interested” on Gumtree and SilentSale® vs Facebook Marketplace.