Moving in, moving out or outgrowing a pram: sooner or later most people in the Netherlands buy or sell second-hand furniture, bikes or baby gear. For many, the first stop is Marktplaats, the Dutch classifieds site. It is also where a lot of payment scams happen, from fake "Tikkie" links to requests to send 1 cent.
This guide covers second-hand sales between private individuals: how a deal runs, how to choose between pickup and shipping, how the common scams work, what to do if you are hit, how your rights differ when you buy from a private person or a trader, and how to plan a clear-out before you leave. Bank-impersonation phone scams are covered in a separate article, and price display and the 14-day withdrawal right in this one.
Main sources (checked 31 October 2026): Marktplaats's pages on buyer protection, payment fraud and WhatsApp fraud; the Fraudehelpdesk site; the police's reporting guide; the EU's Your Europe consumer rights page; ACM's cooling-off guidance; Book 7 of the Dutch Civil Code; and Dutch news coverage used for background only.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Where should I do the deal? | Inside Berichten. Stop if you are led elsewhere (section 2) |
| Pickup or shipping? | Shipping has buyer protection, pickup relies on checking the item (section 4) |
| Which scams are common? | Fake payment links, 1-cent checks, fake couriers (sections 6-7) |
| What if I am scammed? | Bank, screenshots, Marktplaats, police, Fraudehelpdesk (section 8) |
| Private seller or trader? | 14-day withdrawal and legal guarantee are trader rules (section 9) |
| When do I start selling before leaving? | About four to six weeks before move-out (section 11) |
1. Why is second-hand selling so common here, and what does this guide cover?
Many rentals come unfurnished, people move often, and bikes are everywhere. Checking Marktplaats before buying new is routine for many residents.
This guide covers physical goods sold between private individuals, such as furniture, bikes, children's items and appliances. Cars, property, tickets, animals and services have their own risks and are not covered.
How is it different from a Japanese-style flea market app?
Many flea market apps handle payment and delivery inside the app. Marktplaats started as a classifieds board and added payment and shipping features later, so two kinds of deals sit side by side: deals completed inside the site, and deals where two people swap contact details and meet. Marktplaats says plainly that it cannot check what happens outside the platform.
This is a difference in set-up, not a ranking. Heavy items such as sofas and wardrobes make pickup sensible, and that puts more of the protection in your own hands.
2. How does a Marktplaats deal work from listing to hand-over?
A deal has five stages: listing, enquiry, agreement, payment and hand-over. Scammers target some stages far more than others.
| Stage | What you do | Where scams creep in |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Listing | Photos, condition, asking price, pickup or shipping | Putting your phone number in the ad |
| 2. Enquiry | Questions and haggling in Berichten | Being led to WhatsApp or email |
| 3. Agreement | Settle price and hand-over method | Pressure to pay first or ship fast |
| 4. Payment | Payment request in Berichten, or pay at pickup | Fake payment links, 1-cent checks |
| 5. Hand-over | Meet up or ship | Fake couriers, release of goods before payment |
Risk clusters in two moments: when you are led outside Berichten and when money is about to move.
What does Marktplaats say is the safe way to sell?
Marktplaats describes a flow where the seller proposes the agreed price and shipping method in Berichten and then sends a payment request. The buyer pays in their own banking environment, and both sides get a confirmation. For shipping, the label arrives in Berichten and tracking appears there too. Doing it this way leaves a record.
3. How do I find a fair price for a second-hand item?
Price affects both how fast an item sells and how scam-proof you are. An unrealistically cheap ad can be bait, and an overpriced one just sits.
What should I compare?
Search Marktplaats for the same model in the same condition and line the ads up. What you see is asking prices, not sold prices, and ads that stay up for a long time may be too expensive. That is our reading rather than a published statistic. For IKEA and other branded items, the new price on the maker's website shows how much you are discounting.
| Situation | Approach | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Leaving soon | Price a little low for a quick, certain pickup | Very low prices attract resellers |
| Plenty of time | Start near the top, then lower | Review anything unsold after a month |
| Item has flaws | State them in photos and text | Disclosed flaws are harder to dispute later |
| Large and awkward | Pickup only | Share your address after you agree |
How should I handle haggling?
Haggling is normal, but be wary of "I'll take everything" and "I'll pay first, so reserve it." Offering to pay in advance is a common way in for scammers. A discount is fine when you will inspect the item and pay on the spot.
4. Should I choose pickup or shipping on Marktplaats?
Marktplaats's buyer protection belongs to shipped orders. That makes the choice a protection decision, too.
Which one has buyer protection?
According to Marktplaats, buyer protection applies by default when the buyer chooses PostNL, DHL or Brenger, and the buyer bears the cost. The seller does not pay. The service is run by Online Payment Platform (OPP), which holds the money in a separate account. Items collected in person are explicitly excluded.
What are the deadlines and what is covered?
| Item | What Marktplaats says |
|---|---|
| Money flow | The buyer pays, OPP holds it, the seller is told to ship |
| Checking period | 48 hours after receipt; confirm, or the seller is paid automatically after 48 hours |
| Item not as agreed | Report within 48 hours of receipt |
| Parcel not received | Report within 14 days of payment |
| Covered examples | Not shipped, lost or damaged in delivery, empty parcel, wrong or incomplete item, counterfeit |
| Not covered | Pickup, flaws stated in the ad, change of mind, tickets, animals, services |
The deadlines are short. Buyers should open and test a parcel at once, and sellers should photograph the item before packing.
What does it cost?
The buyer pays, but Marktplaats's page gives no exact rate, only a "small percentage." Some news articles quote figures, but I could not confirm them on an official page, so I do not repeat them. Check the amount shown at checkout.
How do I stay safe with pickup?
Meet in a public place, or bring a friend if someone is coming to your home for a big item. Buyers inspect before they pay and sellers confirm the money before they hand over. For a bank transfer, pay from your own banking app or check the incoming payment in your own banking app. Do not accept "I'll pay later" or "check your account later."
5. What happened to Gelijk Oversteken?
Older articles mention "Gelijk Oversteken" (roughly, "crossing together"). It is a former feature name and is no longer offered. Reports say Marktplaats replaced it with buyer protection because it was not watertight enough.
Old pages still describe its fees and steps. If someone asks you to "use Gelijk Oversteken," treat that as a warning sign. Fake messages that use a familiar-sounding name to look official have been reported.
| Old term | Current equivalent |
|---|---|
| Gelijk Oversteken | Kopersbescherming (buyer protection) |
| Money held with a third party | OPP holds it in a separate account |
| Higher fees | Paid by the buyer; check the current rate on Marktplaats |
For the background, see AVROTROS Radar's report. Features change, so rely on Marktplaats's own pages.
6. Is it safe to pay with Tikkie on Marktplaats?
A genuine Tikkie is fine; a Tikkie-style link from a stranger in a chat is not. Fake payment links are the scam Marktplaats warns about most, and sellers are targeted often, by someone pretending to be a buyer.
How does the fake payment link scam work?
According to Marktplaats, the "buyer" leads you to WhatsApp or email and sends a payment request that looks like Marktplaats, iDEAL or Tikkie. Or they ask for a small "check" payment. The link leads to a convincing fake site. Marktplaats says plainly that such a link goes to neither Marktplaats, iDEAL nor Tikkie. Enter your banking details there and the criminal can log in and move your money.
Why would anyone ask for 1 cent?
The cent is not the aim. The aim is to get you into a payment flow where your login details can be harvested. The Fraudehelpdesk lists "I receive a payment request for 1 cent" among its cases.
Can I tell a real Tikkie from a fake one?
Dutch coverage says a genuine Tikkie link starts with tikkie.me, and look-alike spellings are fake. Looks can mislead, though, so the safer rule is not to open links that a deal partner sends you.
| Scam | What you hear | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fake payment link | "I paid by Tikkie or iDEAL, collect it here" | Do not open. Look only at the request inside Berichten |
| 1-cent check | "Send 1 cent to verify" | Do not send. Block the person |
| Fake email | A Marktplaats look-alike with a "receive payment" button | Do not click. Check the sender domain |
| Fake IBAN check | "We must verify your account" | Do not enter banking details |
| Fake customer service | "Support here, share your bank details" | Real support never replies to ads or calls for them |
Marktplaats says genuine links start with www.marktplaats.nl, www.help.marktplaats.nl or www.marktplaatszakelijk.nl, and genuine emails end in @marktplaats.nl, @email.marktplaats.nl or @mail.marktplaats.nl. You can also test suspicious links at checkjelinkje.nl.
Does a misspelling always give the scam away?
Fake sites often alter a letter, for example "markplaats" without the t. A correct spelling does not prove safety, so the surest approach is to avoid opening links at all.
7. What are fake couriers and other seller scams?
What is a fake courier scam?
The Fraudehelpdesk lists "Nep-koerier na verkoop op handelsplaats" (a fake courier after a sale on a marketplace) as a case. The typical story: a "courier" will collect the item, or a fee must be paid for delivery. In a 2023 police case reported in the news, the criminals approached victims on Marktplaats and sent a link to a non-existent parcel service. A link in the name of a courier that asks you to pay or enter details means: stop the deal.
What about "receive your payment here" messages?
A message that tells you to confirm payment or shipping through a link is another variation. Marktplaats warns that fake sites copy its look, sometimes with a fake helpdesk or chatbot. A genuine payment confirmation appears inside Berichten.
| Shared pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Leading you outside | WhatsApp, email, another app |
| Rushing you | "Today only," "others are interested" |
| Starting small | 1 cent, postage, a fee |
| Borrowing a name | Marktplaats, iDEAL, Tikkie, a courier |
If two or more of these appear together, pause the deal and talk to someone else, such as a friend, a colleague or the Fraudehelpdesk.
Are buyers targeted too?
Yes. Very cheap ads, far-away sellers and "pay first and I will hold it" are typical. Buyers are protected by inspecting before paying, or by using shipping with buyer protection. Marktplaats lists ad badges such as "Bankrekening gecontroleerd" (bank account verified) and "ID gecontroleerd" (ID verified), and also suggests looking at how long a seller has been registered and their ratings.
8. What should I do if I have been scammed on Marktplaats?
If you opened a link and typed banking details, or sent money, time matters.
In what order should I act?
Marktplaats advises saving a screenshot of the conversation at once and reporting to the police. If you entered banking details, call your bank's emergency line first to block your accounts and cards. Banks may ask for a police report when assessing compensation.
Who does what?
| Contact | Role | How |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank | Block accounts and cards, try to stop payments | Number on your card or official site |
| Marktplaats | Report the ad or user | The "Zo maak je een melding" help page |
| Police | Take your report (aangifte) | Online with DigiD, or 0900-8844 |
| Fraudehelpdesk | Advice and reports (no investigative powers) | 088-786 73 72, report form |
How do I file a police report if I do not read Dutch?
The police's English page says you can report internet fraud online if you have DigiD with SMS verification, which you can get with a BSN. The online forms are in Dutch only, and if you cannot read Dutch and have no help, the police advise going to a station. To book an appointment, call 0900-8844 (+31 34 357 8844 from abroad) and bring ID. In an emergency call 112.
Will I get my money back?
Honestly, there is no guarantee. If you sent the money yourself, a bank is generally not obliged to refund it. Compensation when criminals took money from your account is covered in our bank scam article. A report still matters, because records feed investigations, and Dutch coverage describes a large fall in payment-request fraud after the police and Marktplaats worked together.
9. What are my rights when I buy from a private person vs a trader?
The 14-day withdrawal right and the legal guarantee are known as EU consumer rights, but they are trader rules.
What does the EU say?
The EU's Your Europe page says second-hand goods bought from a private individual are not covered by EU consumer law. If a seller on an auction site is in fact acting as a business, EU rules apply. It also lists goods bought from a private individual as an exception to the 14-day withdrawal right, and says online marketplaces must say whether a seller is a trader or a private person.
| Point | Buying from a private person | Buying from a trader |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer-law protection | Not covered | Covered |
| 14-day withdrawal (distance sales) | Not available (listed exception) | Generally yes, with exceptions |
| Legal guarantee | Do not expect it | Applies when you buy from a trader. There is no fixed number of years: it depends on how long you can reasonably expect the item to last (redelijke levensduur), as ACM ConsuWijzer explains |
| Proving a fault | Heavier on the buyer | Buyers get more favourable treatment (check details with ACM ConsuWijzer) |
| Where to ask | ACM ConsuWijzer for your case | ACM ConsuWijzer, complaint routes |
What does the Civil Code say?
Article 7:5 of Book 7 defines a consumer sale as a sale where the seller acts in the course of a business and the buyer acts outside one. A sale between two private individuals therefore sits outside the consumer-sale rules.
That does not necessarily mean you have no claim at all, since the general sales provisions may matter between private parties. I could not verify how far, and the answer depends on the facts. If something differs from what was agreed, ask ACM ConsuWijzer or a lawyer about your own case.
What if a seller pretends to be private?
Sometimes a seller who looks private is in fact selling as a business. The EU guidance says the rules can then apply. Look for trader labels and for many similar items. If unsure, ACM ConsuWijzer takes questions.
How should I protect myself as a buyer or seller?
As a buyer, assume there is no withdrawal and no guarantee. Test the item in front of you, get descriptions in writing in Berichten, and ask for a receipt or serial number for expensive items. As a seller, describe condition honestly and photograph flaws. "Sold as seen" does not safely cover a defect you know about, which is a legal question, so take advice for large sums.
10. How does this compare with flea market apps in Japan?
| Point | Typical flea market app in Japan | Marktplaats |
|---|---|---|
| Completing a deal | Payment and delivery inside the app | Began as a classifieds board; pickup and outside payment are common |
| How protection applies | Often built into every deal | Shipping with buyer protection; pickup excluded |
| Pickup | Rare | Common for furniture and bikes |
| Payment | In-app | iDEAL, banking app, cash, site payment requests |
| Scam entry point | Outside contacts, fake payment pages | Leading you outside, fake links, 1-cent checks |
Neither is better. Big, heavy items suit pickup, so more of the protection is yours to provide. If you are used to the platform protecting you, remember that on Marktplaats what is protected depends on how you do the deal.
11. How do I plan a clear-out before leaving the Netherlands?
The schedule below is our own planning guide, built from the points above, not an official standard.
| When | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 4-6 weeks before move-out | List what to sell, take photos, list the large items | Leaves time to arrange pickups |
| 3-4 weeks before | Lower prices on slow items, ship small items with protection | Reaches distant buyers safely |
| 2 weeks before | Give up on unsold items; offer them free | Disposal beats cash now |
| 1 week before | Fix final pickup times; keep what you still use | Meets the move-out date |
| Day before | Confirm where leftovers go | Nothing left behind |
How do I sell things I still need?
You can tell a buyer "pick it up on the day I leave" and keep it reserved. Still check the money in your own banking app before handing the item over. Someone who says "I'll pay now, hold it" should pay against the item, not in advance.
Should I accept a bulk offer for everything?
Be careful. "I'll take it all" can be a scam wrapper, with a fake payment link or a move to an outside chat. The bigger the buyer, the more important it is to stay inside Berichten and be paid when you hand over the goods.
What do I do with unsold items?
Options are giving them away or using council bulky-waste collection. Methods and costs depend on your municipality (gemeente), so check its official website. Small, light items can be shipped with buyer protection. Large furniture means pickup.
12. What should I never do?
| Never | Why |
|---|---|
| Open a link sent by the other party | A fake site can capture your banking details |
| Send 1 cent to "verify" | The aim is to harvest login data |
| Move the deal to WhatsApp or email | You leave the site's protection and record |
| Hand over goods and trust "I'll pay later" | You may never be paid and cannot get the item back |
| Hand over goods without checking the money | A fake payment screen can fool you |
| Share a PIN or banking code | No sale needs it |
| Delete chats and screenshots | You lose your evidence |
| Stay silent out of embarrassment | Without a record, nothing can follow |
13. What is a quick checklist?
Before selling
- I described condition, flaws and function honestly and took photos
- I compared similar ads to find a price range
- My phone number and address are not in the ad
During the deal
- The conversation stays in Berichten
- I pay from my own banking app, or take cash against the item
- I opened no links and sent no 1-cent payment
- For shipping, I know the 48-hour and 14-day deadlines
If something goes wrong
- I called my bank
- I saved the screenshots
- I reported to Marktplaats
- I filed a police report
14. Summary
- Keep negotiation, payment and shipping inside Marktplaats Berichten.
- Shipping with buyer protection is covered by default; pickup is not, so inspect first and pay from your own app.
- Fake payment links, 1-cent checks and fake couriers all lead you outside, rush you and start small.
- If you are caught out: bank, screenshots, Marktplaats, police, then the Fraudehelpdesk.
- Second-hand goods bought from a private person fall outside EU consumer law, so no 14-day withdrawal or legal guarantee; both can apply with a trader (the guarantee period depends on the item).
- When leaving, start four to six weeks before move-out and prioritise finding takers over cash.
- Features and fees change. Everything here was checked on 31 October 2026; verify on the official pages before you trade.
Sources
Marktplaats
- Kopersbescherming - Marktplaats: who pays, 48-hour and 14-day deadlines, what is covered
- Voorkom betaalfraude - Marktplaats: fake payment links, 1-cent checks, official domains, how to report
- Voorkom WhatsApp-fraude - Marktplaats: fake confirmation pages, being led outside
Police and Fraudehelpdesk
- Fraudehelpdesk: phone 088-786 73 72, entry point for reports
- Online shopping cases - Fraudehelpdesk: the 1-cent request, fake couriers
- Fraudehelpdesk report page: online reporting
- Reporting a crime (English) - Police: DigiD, 0900-8844, 112, ID
- Payment-request fraud via trading sites - police leaflet (PDF): warnings on payment-request fraud
Consumer rights
- Your rights as a buyer - Your Europe: private second-hand goods outside EU law, 14-day withdrawal, guarantee when buying from a trader
- Bedenktijd - ACM: cooling-off for distance sales and exceptions
- ACM ConsuWijzer: consumer advice
- Civil Code Book 7 - wetten.overheid.nl: definition of a consumer sale in article 7:5
News coverage (background only)
- Functie Gelijk Oversteken op Marktplaats niet meer beschikbaar - AVROTROS Radar
- Fors minder betaalverzoekfraude op Marktplaats na samenwerking met politie - AVROTROS Radar
- Zo voorkom je Tikkie-fraude - KPN
- Veel minder fraude met betaalverzoeken via Marktplaats na maatregelen - NOS
- Marktplaats introduceert kopersbescherming - id.nl
All checked on 31 October 2026. Fees, deadlines and features change. For answers that depend on your own situation, such as compensation or legal liability, ask ACM ConsuWijzer, the police, your bank or a lawyer.
Related: How to spot bank helpdesk scams / Price display and the 14-day withdrawal right
FAQ
- Is it safe to pay with Tikkie on Marktplaats?
- A real Tikkie is fine between people you trust, but a Tikkie-style link sent by a stranger in a chat is a classic phishing trick. Do not open it. Pay only through the payment request inside Marktplaats Berichten (messages), using your own banking app, or hand over cash for goods you have checked.
- Why does a Marktplaats buyer ask me to send 1 cent?
- It is a scam. The 'verification' payment is a way to get you onto a fake payment page that captures your online banking details. The Fraudehelpdesk lists the 1-cent payment request as a known case. Do not send it, do not open the link, and block the person.
- Does Marktplaats buyer protection cover items I collect in person?
- No. Marktplaats says buyer protection applies by default when the buyer chooses PostNL, DHL or Brenger shipping, and it excludes items collected in person. With pickup, your protection is checking the item first and paying through your own banking app.
- Can I return something I bought from a private seller within 14 days?
- Generally not. The EU's Your Europe guidance says second-hand goods bought from a private individual are outside EU consumer law and lists them as an exception to the 14-day withdrawal right. Buying from a trader is different. For your own case, ask ACM ConsuWijzer.
- Where do I report a Marktplaats scam in the Netherlands?
- Call your bank first if you entered banking details, save screenshots, report the ad to Marktplaats, and file a police report (aangifte). Internet fraud can be reported online with DigiD, or by calling 0900-8844 for a station appointment. The Fraudehelpdesk takes advice calls on 088-786 73 72.
- How early should I start selling furniture before leaving the Netherlands?
- As a rule of thumb, start four to six weeks before your move-out date. This is our own planning guideline, not an official one. Large items need time for pickup appointments, and unsold items need time for a free giveaway or council collection.
