7 Warning Signs of Scams When Buying Artisan Furniture on Folksy

1. Stolen Artisan Photography: Be wary if a seller's product photos look professionally shot but are inconsistent with their overall shop's aesthetic or other listings. Scammers may steal high-quality images of artisan furniture to make their listings appear more legitimate. Always check for multiple, clear photos from different angles and ask for more if needed.

2. Resell of Mass-Produced Goods: While not always a scam, sellers misrepresenting mass-produced items as unique artisan pieces can be misleading. Look for evidence of true craftsmanship, such as detailed descriptions of the making process, unique material sourcing, and seller-provided images of the furniture in progress. Folksy prides itself on handmade items, so report any suspicious listings.

3. Off-Platform PayPal Invoicing: A seller insisting on conducting the transaction entirely through PayPal invoicing, outside of the Folksy platform, is a major red flag. This bypasses Folksy's buyer protection. Genuine sellers will use the platform's integrated payment system for secure transactions. For valuable items like artisan furniture, this is especially critical.

4. Overpayment Check Fraud: Be highly suspicious of any buyer who offers to pay more than the asking price, especially if they suggest sending a check or using an unusual payment method that requires you to forward the excess funds. This is a classic fraud where the initial payment method is ultimately fraudulent, leaving you out of pocket.

5. Fake Handmade Certification: Be cautious of sellers who heavily promote 'fake handmade certifications' or offer an unusually high number of identical, mass-produced-looking items that are still labeled as 'artisan.' True artisan furniture is often unique or made in small batches. Research the seller and their claimed affiliations.

6. VAT/Customs Payment Phish: If a seller, particularly one shipping internationally, requests direct payment for VAT or customs fees outside of the established shipping costs or platform's payment system, it's likely a scam. These fees are typically handled through the shipping carrier or customs directly, not paid in advance to a seller via an unofficial channel.

7. The 'Influencer' Collab Trap: Be wary of unsolicited messages from individuals claiming to be influencers looking for collaborations, especially if they want to 'gift' you furniture in exchange for promotion, but then ask you to cover shipping or processing fees upfront. This can be a ploy to get you to pay for a non-existent or low-quality item.