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Paypal and Gumtree

Irn-Bru-Kid
Irn-Bru-Kid Posts: 614 Forumite
in Ebay, auctions, car boot sales, post & parcels
Hi Guys,

I'm selling something on gumtree and a guy has asked me to post, which I'm happy to do.

I'm assuming he wants to pay via paypal and I was wondering what the procedure is his end. Does he just send as a personal payment?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Many thanks
«1

Comments

  • lovinituk
    lovinituk Posts: 5,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would ask him to do a bank transfer instead. If he is happy to do so it is a lot safer for you.
  • Irn-Bru-Kid
    Irn-Bru-Kid Posts: 614 Forumite
    lovinituk wrote: »
    I would ask him to do a bank transfer instead. If he is happy to do so it is a lot safer for you.

    Thanks for that. Do I give them my bank details (account/sortcode) for a transfer?

    Sorry if that's a really stupid question, but I've never sold something this way before!
  • lovinituk
    lovinituk Posts: 5,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    They should just need your name, sort code and account number. Some people will say you shouldn't give that info out but it is no more info than you would give someone if you gave them a cheque.
  • Irn-Bru-Kid
    Irn-Bru-Kid Posts: 614 Forumite
    lovinituk wrote: »
    They should just need your name, sort code and account number. Some people will say you shouldn't give that info out but it is no more info than you would give someone if you gave them a cheque.

    Again, many thanks. I've no problem giving him my details. Its a relatively cheap item (£20.00) and not the type of thing a scammer would be after and he seems very genuine.

    Wish me luck!
  • JimmyTheWig
    JimmyTheWig Posts: 12,199 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Personally I wouldn't buy anything from a stranger by bank transfer. There's nothing to stop them just keeping the money and not sending you anything.
    And so while it's fine for you to ask him to do this, don't be surprised if he refuses.

    With PayPal you'll have to pay the fees and accept that the buyer then gets protection if, for example, the item isn't as described. But it may be the only method the buyer is happy with.
    If you go down the PayPal route then just send him an invoice through PayPal to his email address. He can then pay that and you can send the item.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 75,119 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Irn-Bru-Kid wrote: »
    Again, many thanks. I've no problem giving him my details. Its a relatively cheap item (£20.00) and not the type of thing a scammer would be after and he seems very genuine.

    Wish me luck!

    I had someone try the old 419 scam on me on Gumtree for a £7 glass pimms set. I have a cut and paste though fior Gumtree merely stating that the items are for cash on collection and will not be posted.
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 75,119 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    mrducga wrote: »
    If the item is worth £20 only then PayPal fee of 3.4% doesn't seem to high so I would recommend PayPal over bank transfer.

    Why do you prefer a payment method that is less safe for the seller?
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • JimmyTheWig
    JimmyTheWig Posts: 12,199 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    soolin wrote: »
    Why do you prefer a payment method that is less safe for the seller?
    I would prefer a payment method that my customer was happier with.
    I myself wouldn't buy anything from a stranger by bank transfer, so wouldn't expect a stranger to buy anything from me by bank transfer.

    If I bought something which was to be posted from an individual online and they refused to take PayPal I would walk away.
    Therefore as a seller I wouldn't want my potential buyer to walk away.
  • soolin
    soolin Posts: 75,119 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    JimmyTheWig wrote: »
    I would prefer a payment method that my customer was happier with.
    I myself wouldn't buy anything from a stranger by bank transfer, so wouldn't expect a stranger to buy anything from me by bank transfer.

    If I bought something which was to be posted from an individual online and they refused to take PayPal I would walk away.
    Therefore as a seller I wouldn't want my potential buyer to walk away.

    I am quite happy to take paypal- but not on Gumtree as it is not designed for that venue . I just wondered why the poster mentioned he preferred paypal rather than a bank transfer when I assume OP had listed it as a collection item anyway?
    I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
  • lovinituk
    lovinituk Posts: 5,711 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    JimmyTheWig wrote: »
    I would prefer a payment method that my customer was happier with.
    Sounds like the OP is selling a one off rather than a regular business seller so probably better to look after himself in this case.
    JimmyTheWig wrote: »
    I myself wouldn't buy anything from a stranger by bank transfer.
    Neither would I but I would always try and get the buyer to on something like Gumtree. No harm in asking and if they say no then revert to Paypal
This discussion has been closed.
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