Using PayPal for private sales

Fuzzy_2

Hi

I have used PayPal for many years for buying and selling via EBay. I am advertising something privately and one potential purchaser as asked if they can pay for the item via PayPal. Has anyone done this before? What, if any, are the pitfalls with this type of transaction? Bearing in mind that it is for a very large item so cannot be posted.

I am aware of some scams esp ones from abroad, I do find it bizarre that someone would buy something unseen. With this type of transaction I would need to see the item and would expect to pay cash on collection.

I would appreciate hearing peoples experience of using PayPal in this way, both the good, the bad and the down-right ugly!
Many thanks
F

soolin

AS you can't post it you can't protect yourself:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3146680

I suspect that whilst you might believe you know all the scams you have overlooked the most common one especially if the sale appears to be an unusual one.

Fuzzy_2

Thanks for the reply, I wouldn't profess to know all the scams, but your point about proof of receipt is a valid one.

I have had numerous replies saying they would like the item, without asking what it is like, and in poor English too. So those enquiries do ring alarm bells. I have now specified on the adverts, cash on collection, and that no other type of payment is acceptable.

floralaura

If it is to be collected then ask the buyer to pay via gift so then there is no comeback on you..I buy/sell a lot of things on facebook and use paypal to pay for most of these (Inc ones to be collected)..I always send by goods if the seller is to post it and gift if its to be collected and ask people buying off me to do the same..
The not asking the items condition/broken English would put me off to be honest though and I would ak for cash on collection in this case.

techspec

I sold an item that was cash on collection only last week, and the buyer ignored my instructions and used paypal - so i refunded it. I sought advice from ebay and they threatened me with a strike for refusing to sell.

I stuck to my guns and the buyer eventually paid cash on collection.

I would suspect ebays stance on the subject would be illegal if anyone could be bothered to look into it. Forcing people to use your own product is something the banks were stopped from doing ages ago. I know paypal are not based here, or a bank - but its still wrong.

Ebay / paypal insist on proof of postage - so if you can't post it - its cash only i'm afraid. And don't bother with getting them to sign bits of paper or taking a photo of them etc - if they won't pay cash theres something wrong.

techspec

floralaura wrote: »

If it is to be collected then ask the buyer to pay via gift so then there is no comeback on you..I buy/sell a lot of things on facebook and use paypal to pay for most of these (Inc ones to be collected)..I always send by goods if the seller is to post it and gift if its to be collected and ask people buying off me to do the same..
The not asking the items condition/broken English would put me off to be honest though and I would ak for cash on collection in this case.

Hi, i've heard of this before. So do you just give them your email address and ask them to send as a gift? If its sent as a gift - do paypal state that money cannot be claimed back? What about a credit card reversal?

I'm still gonna insist on COD - but just curious if its a fool proof way of ding it.

floralaura

techspec wrote: »

Hi, i've heard of this before. So do you just give them your email address and ask them to send as a gift? If its sent as a gift - do paypal state that money cannot be claimed back? What about a credit card reversal?

I'm still gonna insist on COD - but just curious if its a fool proof way of ding it.

Yep theres no way to do a claim for item not received if soeone ays by gift.I *think* you could possibly still do a bank charge back if paid from a card but I couldn't say for sure. You just tell them to do as a personal payment and the gift option is there..theres no fees for you either that way. It is a risky way for a buyer to pay for things (I had someone buy a pram off my on F/book for £200 and she sent as a gift and wanted it posting..you wouldn't catch e doing that lol)..but if someone wants to collect fROm me and pay via gift then thats fine. I have actually paid a couple of people by gift myself and had no problems but for small £5 or so amounts.
Selling/buying on facebook is less risky than gumtree etc though as you are less open to the wider public scamming.

Fuzzy_2

Thanks both I will look at the gift option, but all sounds a bit risky using PayPal privately ie outside of Ebay. As its not an Ebay auction I will insist on COC.

Some of these scammers spin some yarns, don't they? I had one from someone working on an oil rig, wanting to buy this for his Dad. I mean the item is more for young teenage kids anyway! They tell a tall tale, and then don't ask anything about the item for sale.

Only problem is people do fall for these stories and get stung.