I had bought a folding bench on Marktplaats, for 90 euros. When I wanted to make an appointment with the seller to pick up the bench, he replied that he could only ship it. ‘Because I have a difficult evening and night schedule next week’. He suggested to take care of the shipping costs. That was reasonable and it saved me some hassle. ‘Fine’, I said, ‘will you send me a payment request?’
“Okay,” the seller replied, “if you also send me where to send it, it’ll be all right,” followed by an emoji of two hands shaking. He sent a link that led to a payment website of the SNS Bank. I paid and gave my address. Satisfied, no triumphant, I leaned back. The bargain king had done it again.
Hmm, wait a minute, I thought a few minutes later. A very good deal: an excuse about not being at home and having to send it, free shipping, a link to a payment environment outside Marktplaats and an account without reviews that has only been active for a few months. Surely these were five fluttering Handmaid’s Tale-red flags. I typed the relevant account number into Google. And yes: one result after another of scams via Marktplaats. I had fallen for it. With wide-open eyes. Me, the bargain king. ‘Oh, wait’, I tried in one last attempt. “I can just come and pick it up tonight. What is your address? Then I’ll drive right by.’
“I’m working late,” the salesman replied. “I’ll send it tomorrow.” Of course you don’t, I thought. I lost 90 euros. Informing Marktplaats was pointless, they never do anything anyway. And the police have better things to do.
As expected, I heard nothing the next day. A day later, at the end of the afternoon, I still sent a message: ‘To be honest. You’re not going to send it, are you?’ The seller did not respond. Of my ninety euros, it was now filling up nicely or taking an extensive shower. I had learned my lesson and resolved not to be so trusting anymore. I soon found another bench, which I picked up on Monday. And actually this was a much better and tastier and nicer bench.
Tuesday, late in the afternoon, the bell rang. “Package!” the postman called out. The bench was neatly packed. It was still in mint condition. So now I’ve been wondering for days what exactly is the lesson of this. Except that a bench plus another bench is two benches.