‘Marketplace Shaming’ is meant for people to share the weirdest, funniest, and most outrageous ads found in real life or browsing your fave online marketplaces.

The sole goal of the Facebook group is humor, so there’s absolutely no room there for any personal attacks, call-outs, or cancel culture. “Treat others as you would want to be treated,” the team running the page point out that rudeness isn’t welcome. Good vibes only, everyone’s here to have a laugh.

KristL, the founder of the group and one of the admins, told Bored Panda that there were multiple reasons why 'Marketplace Shaming' was created. "I offer credit to other shaming pages, such as: 'That's It, I'm Architecture Shaming.' It was the experience of discovering all manner of ads while browsing online platforms that left me wondering 'wtf?' Above all else, it was humor. Humor is always important," she told Bored Panda.

"Relative to the population of the planet, the page doesn't have a large following, but I think that it resonates with some people because other people see ads, wonder, 'wtf?' and are pulled to share the experience. Additionally, there is a playful intention behind the page. I don't truly think most of the ads deserve deep, infuriated shaming in the traditional sense. The shaming we do is lighthearted and speaks to the condition of being human. I am certain that any one of us has, or is capable of producing an ad that is worthy of some lighthearted shaming," KristL explained that playfulness and a lighthearted approach are important.

When it comes to avoiding scams when buying things online, a large part of that is trusting your gut instinct. However, that alone might not be enough. KristL shared some of her own insights on how to avoid getting scammed from her own considerable experience online shopping.

"When trading, buying, or selling items within Facebook interest groups, using apps such as PayPal for secured transactions is one way to protect the transactions. Also, requesting proof of prior successful trades and sales is prudent. If I am purchasing from sellers on Marketplace, I prefer sellers who have a large number of visible high ratings. I also may check profiles to see if the seller appears to be a legitimate person: Do they have at least a few hundred friends? Do they have a long-standing history on the app, or did they just join?" she shared what questions you should be asking yourself when trying to gauge a seller's trustworthiness.

KristL also told us about reversing payments and asking for refunds. "Most apps specifically designed for trading have buyer protection so those apps are generally secure for buying and selling. Failing this system of secured trading or if an online scam occurs and the transaction is done via your bank (as opposed to using cryptocurrency or MoneyGram type payments), there are ways to reverse the transaction. The first step I take is to contact the seller and attempt to resolve the situation directly by requesting a refund. This action will be required by a bank to proceed with reversing a transaction. If it is not resolved, I contact the disputes department of my bank and request to open a dispute. The disputes department will then open up a case and provide steps to take from there."

She continued: "Disputes must be filed within 90 days of the transaction for most banks and the first step is to attempt to resolve the dispute directly with the seller before proceeding. Do not provide a social security number, credit card information, or any other private information over the phone or by email. If any government, insurance provider, or legal institution wants to contact you regarding taxes, insurance, or legal matters, they will do so in writing by snail mail. Any phone call requesting this type of information is a scam," she warned to be incredibly careful with personal info.

"Do not send payment for housing remotely prior to having viewed the home and filled out a tenancy agreement: View the apartment in person. No one will contact you by email if you have a multi-million-dollar inheritance or lottery winning. I doubt that Nigerian princes are as common as our email inbox might suggest. Do not believe these emails. For your personal safety, meet in public places to buy and sell, bring someone with you, or notify someone of your whereabouts/schedule/details about the person or parties you are meeting if you are responding to online ads for housing, jobs, or dates."

According to the founder of the group, 'Marketplace Shaming' doesn't require a lot of moderation, given its relatively small size. "Moderation has been as simple as approving content that is relevant to the focus of the page and removing comments which have moved beyond constructive conversation or playful banter into the realm of upset, bullying, or name-calling," she said.