selling a car - accepting paypal?

TraceB

Hi

We're selling our car on auto trader and someone has offered to buy it (without seeing it first) and want to pay by paypal.

I'm very suspicious - why would anyone want to but without seeing it first? I know that you shouldn't accept paypal for eBay car purchases. Am I being paranoid?

Thanks

T

s_b

bargepole.......

shaun_from_Africa

Am I being paranoid?

paranoid no. sensible yes
As you rightly state, why would anyone agree to pay in full for a car without seeing it first.
There is no buyer protection on paypal, but this doesn't stop the account holder from trying a credit card chargeback.

pitkin2020

DO not accept paypal for collection only items. They will pay via paypal, they will collect it, as its a car they may strip it and dispose of what they can't sell, then after a week they will claim to have never received said item. As paypal only accepts an online trackable method as proof of postage, they don't even consider collection as an option you will have no way to prove the buyer has the car. Even if you take a photo, get a signed letter etc. As you can't prove postage paypal will be so kind as to refund the buyer their money, regardless if you have drawn it out of your paypal account or not.

flimsier

Do not sell. Cash only; offer them 5 percent off for cash.

d.ross_2

I must say that I have to agree with the two posters above. Paypal's security and seller protection is terrible.

It is obviously a scam.

TraceB

Thanks everyone - good to know I'm not paranoid!

pitkin2020

Its not about being paranoid its about protecting yourself, too many try too many different scams now. If the buyer is genuine they will change to cash without an issue, I don't expect this buyer will though as offering to buy without even seeing it would set alarm bells off straight away.

asbokid

He will be pulling the same stunt will lots of autotrader sellers. Ask the same question in the ebay forum and loads of posters will warn you not to do it...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=40

mikey72

It's autotrader, not ebay.
If the buyer gifts you the money, rather than you sending him an invoice, he has no comeback.

pitkin2020

mikey72 wrote: »

It's autotrader, not ebay.
If the buyer gifts you the money, rather than you sending him an invoice, he has no comeback.

Unlikely they will gift it as they incur the fees over a certain amount, but it is one option, still one I wouldn't accept as this is paypal dealing with it and you never really know what they are going to do.

They put my account on hold and wouldn't release any of my funds and told me the reasons were, I have had too many negative feedbacks & too many low DSLR's on ebay. When I proved to them I haven't had a single neutral or negative feedback and not a single low 1 or 2 star on my DSLR they still said they were in the right and I would have to wait until 40 days (IIRC) before they would release MY money, they just seem to do as they please.