Selling to someone outside of Ebay?

toon_mad

Apologies if this is in the wrong place.

Anyway, I listed a desktop PC on Ebay about 2 weeks for sale (£800), but no one actually bid although there was 19 watchers.

The listing ended the other day, but someone has got in contact with me and would like to buy it using BT (Bank Transfer). This would avoid all of Ebay and Paypals ridiculously high fees they charge.

What the person wants me to do is give him my bank details, he pays the money to my bank then I send him the PC using an online courier service (Interparcel)

How safe do you think this is? Ive never done BT before, is this risky or am I been to cautious?

Thanks

soolin

Bank transfer is extremely safe for a seller as once it is in your account overnight it cannot be recalled.

I would say yes before they change their mind, but just in case they are pulling the old 'funds pending' scam, check yourslef that the funds show in your account and then send the next working day. Do not rely on messages supposedly from your bank or from anyone saying the funds are pending.

Obviously you will still need to ensure that your courier is fully insured and that the monitor is included in that insurance as if it is faulty or damaged on arrival you would still need to sort this all out for the buyer.

toon_mad

Thanks soolin, I will go in my bank and as them if the money goes in at the next working day.

Will also check the insurance that it covers the items and to how much.

Cheers

starrystarry

Maybe I'm just over cautious, but I wouldn't give my bank details to some random stranger.

soolin

starrystarry wrote: »

Maybe I'm just over cautious, but I wouldn't give my bank details to some random stranger.

Oh dear I had hoped we would get to the 2nd page before this misunderstanding cropped up again.

No one can do anything with your bank details, they are on every cheque you write, along with your signature which makes it worse on a cheque. If someone uses your bank account to set up a DD then you have complete guarantee that it will be cancelled and you will be reimbused if you don't notice it for a while. A DD also requires the recipient to notify you in writing before they take the first payment.

Apart from that, um, that's about it really.

lets_get_it_right

if its a good offer i would do the deal.
but as others have warned make sure you have the cash before it leaves your house!
If i was you I would have him pay it one bank account then transfer it to your deposit account and then arrange courier

soolin

lets_get_it_right wrote: »

if its a good offer i would do the deal.
but as others have warned make sure you have the cash before it leaves your house!
If i was you I would have him pay it one bank account then transfer it to your deposit account and then arrange courier

I see no point at all in transferring out the money, it is not ringfenced. If it were possible to recall it, and it isn't, then it would be recalled regardless of funds in the account, you don't get the exact same money back that you pay in.

lets_get_it_right

Point Taken Soolin

good advice

starrystarry

soolin wrote: »

Oh dear I had hoped we would get to the 2nd page before this misunderstanding cropped up again.

No one can do anything with your bank details, they are on every cheque you write, along with your signature which makes it worse on a cheque. If someone uses your bank account to set up a DD then you have complete guarantee that it will be cancelled and you will be reimbused if you don't notice it for a while. A DD also requires the recipient to notify you in writing before they take the first payment.

Apart from that, um, that's about it really.

Oh dear, how patronising are you? I'm well aware that my bank account number & sort code alone are not much use to someone, but in combination with other information (such as a return name/address on the back of the parcel) they could be used for identity theft, they could be sold to other fraudsters, they could be used to target me with phishing scams etc. You give your personal details out if you wish, I'll reserve the right not to if you don't mind.

Re your comment about cheques...who writes cheques anymore anyway?

soolin

starrystarry wrote: »

Oh dear, how patronising are you? I'm well aware that my bank account number & sort code alone are not much use to someone, but in combination with other information (such as a return name/address on the back of the parcel) they could be used for identity theft, they could be sold to other fraudsters, they could be used to target me with phishing scams etc. You give your personal details out if you wish, I'll reserve the right not to if you don't mind.

Re your comment about cheques...who writes cheques anymore anyway?

What organisations will take a jotted down name and address and bank account number as proof of iD then? Identity theft needs documentation and that is why we are supposed to shred our documents as it is formal documents (utility bills etc) with names and addresses that are needed to cause mischief.

I agree that we must all take precautions with our info, but i do not consider that means we should panic un necessarily about it.

hermum

The only person taking a risk here is the buyer.