How to get postage without being scammed

lisyloo

i have someone asking for an item I’m freecycling by post.
im happy to do that (would rather things don’t go to landfill and it stops someone buying new).
but obviously I don’t want to get scammed.
is PayPal friends and family option safe for this?
i.e. can it be reversed.

Otherwise what are my options?

the seller appears to be knowledgeable I.e. the spare parts fit his model and he’s quoted the model.
so no red flags just being safe.

GrubbyGirl_2

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

Spoonie_Turtle

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

I've read the complete opposite, that it can be reversed if the sender claims it was an unauthorised transaction and because there's no protection there's nothing you can do about it.  It's why we're always told to only use G&S because that has protection both sides.

soolin

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

As spoonie_turtle says it is possible for a proper scammer to get their money back so not guaranteed safe. Probably safe from a casual try your luck type scammer though.

I’d ask for a bank transfer , keep it simple. 

lisyloo

Spoonie_Turtle said:

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

I've read the complete opposite, that it can be reversed if the sender claims it was an unauthorised transaction and because there's no protection there's nothing you can do about it.  It's why we're always told to only use G&S because that has protection both sides.

Can you say where and when you read this?

i don’t believe this to be a scammer and it’s a relatively small amount but seems wide open if there is no recourse whatsoever to a defence.

soolin

lisyloo said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

I've read the complete opposite, that it can be reversed if the sender claims it was an unauthorised transaction and because there's no protection there's nothing you can do about it.  It's why we're always told to only use G&S because that has protection both sides.

Can you say where and when you read this?

i don’t believe this to be a scammer and it’s a relatively small amount but seems wide open if there is no recourse whatsoever to a defence.

It is a fairly well known problem but very rare to actually see in action as it means the ‘buyer’ faces the loss of their PayPal account and may face serious investigation by the bank.

Any payment online sent via PayPal has the capacity for a chargeback for fraudulent use  and the difference between a G and S and  a F and f payment is that seller can defend a claim with g and s but not with f and f. 

If a claim for fraud is raised on PayPal seller must prove postage to the address given by PayPal (note postage not delivery). If seller can show item was posted correctly within 7 days then PayPal will take the loss.  A f and f payment is not made for gifts, so doesn’t have an address associated nor can postage details be uploaded, so seller cannot defend the claim at all and money will be clawed back.

As I said though it is very rare , I think we’ve had 2 cases on here in as many years and about the same on other forums I read. 

Spoonie_Turtle

lisyloo said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

GrubbyGirl_2 said:

paypal friends and family will work as it definitely can't be reversed.  If they won't do it that way then refuse

I've read the complete opposite, that it can be reversed if the sender claims it was an unauthorised transaction and because there's no protection there's nothing you can do about it.  It's why we're always told to only use G&S because that has protection both sides.

Can you say where and when you read this?

i don’t believe this to be a scammer and it’s a relatively small amount but seems wide open if there is no recourse whatsoever to a defence.

Mostly on this forum, from knowledgeable members like soolin, within the last few years.

That said I have used F&F myself for buying and selling with people I either have reason to trust, or for items/amounts I would not be devastated to lose.  It's just not a 100% surefire way to be safe from a determined scammer. 

If your gut feeling about this one tells you it's okay, it may well be - and just rereading your post you've said it's freecycle, so presumably it's just the postage they're paying for which makes a big difference from it being payment for the item.

soolin

Realistically as well no one is going to attempt such a difficult scam for the cost of a bit of postage and I would risk it. 

soolin

Also if you want actual proof this is possible look to the PayPal T and cs. If a claim for fraudulent use is raised then the onus is on the seller to defend it, then read the ways that a seller can defend this claim, and you will see the issue. 

lisyloo

soolin said:

Realistically as well no one is going to attempt such a difficult scam for the cost of a bit of postage and I would risk it. 

This
I did pose a few questions to the seller e.g. "what model do you have?" as these spare parts are model specific.
In general scammers would not bother gaining the niche knowledge to scam a few £s in a difficult way.

I do have messages and tracking but don't know if that would meet a defence. It should IMO but then it might fall found of the terms of using f&f.

Thanks for the explanation.