Paypal payment advice

twhite87

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Tim
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Hi Guys,

I'm after a bit of advice. I have someone who wants to buy something off me on gumtree, but isn't close enough to collect. They have said they are willing to pay via PayPal but do not want to use the PayPal friends and family way. I know I will incur charges, but what guarantee do I have if this is a dodgy buyer? Will PayPal honour the payment if they turn around and say they never received the goods. If I use a signed for delivery service, would this be sufficient enough to guarantee my end of the deal? I'm not converse enough in PayPal ways to know these questions.

How can I be sure that I will get my money from them?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
You'll get the money from them but they could reverse the charges, proof of posting / delivery won't be enough to stop it tbh. If someone wants to pay PPG is the way to go.
 
Do you just mean the PayPal fees, or the charge as a whole? (reverse the whole payment) They have said they would add the charges to their payment to ensure I get what I ask for it, they just want their protection incase I don't deliver. I'm just a bit sceptical about payments over internet etc.
 
I never use paypal gift to pay i always pay the charges, it covers me in the event of any problems.

With paypal gift you are in effect handing money over to a complete stranger, with no guarantee whatsoever.

There's an online calculator which tells you how much to pay so the seller would get the exact amount of money.
 
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My sister recently sold something on ebay, when the buyer received they said nothing was in the box (even though the postage receipt receipt shown there was weigh in the box). Problem is ebay side with the buyer. I'm sure it will be sorted out by ebay/PayPal but it still is a pain to go through. I'm not sure what applies with PayPal and gum tree, I expect very little buyer protection.

If you are worried about Gumtree and need PayPal as back up why sell on gumtree? My thoughts on gumtree are I would only sell something I could afford to lose everything on, if it's an expensive camera/lens sell it elsewhere.
 
I never use paypal gift to pay i always pay the charges, it covers me in the event of any problems.

There's an online calculator which tells you how much to pay so the seller would get the exact amount of money.
Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but what guarantee do I have if they say they never received the item?
 
Sorry i'm posting as a buyer not seller, it's the buyer who pays the fees to guarantee themselves, them paying the fees doesn't guarantee you anything though, i hardly ever sell because it's a complete nightmare, and if i do it's only on here.
 
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My sister recently sold something on ebay, when the buyer received they said nothing was in the box (even though the postage receipt receipt shown there was weigh in the box). Problem is ebay side with the buyer. I'm sure it will be sorted out by ebay/PayPal but it still is a pain to go through. I'm not sure what applies with PayPal and gum tree, I expect very little buyer protection.

If you are worried about Gumtree and need PayPal as back up why sell on gumtree? My thoughts on gumtree are I would only sell something I could afford to lose everything on, if it's an expensive camera/lens sell it elsewhere.
Normally I would just sell on gumtree to local people and do cash on collection, but this has been on for a while now and this person is the only interest shown. It's not that expensive, its around £150.
 
There are no guarantees that you won't get scammed ... anywhere, but:-

  1. If you accept Paypal + the fee you will at least get your money initially.
  2. Using Paypal this way at least gives you an arbitrator if things go wrong.
  3. Post by RMSD so 'Signed For'.
  4. Pack the parcel and go to the post-office it in the presence of someone else, preferably not a relative, who is prepared to give a statement of confirmation if required.
  5. If the parcel goes missing before it gets delivered you have insurance.
  6. If the buyer tries to scam you (empty box) then you have a witness to corroborate your integrity.
 
In theory. If you accept PayPal with the fee, and post to the "confirmed" delivery address using RM Special delivery or any other tracked delivery service (needs to be traceable online), then you should be okay.

You could even video the packaging and weight of the parcel. That weight will also be on you RM receipt.
 
Do you just mean the PayPal fees, or the charge as a whole? (reverse the whole payment) They have said they would add the charges to their payment to ensure I get what I ask for it, they just want their protection incase I don't deliver. I'm just a bit sceptical about payments over internet etc.
Reverse the whole payment.

AIUI if a buyer pays via the goods / services option the seller incurs the fees and the buyer has greater protection as they can file a PP claim. If they use the PPG option they aren't entitled to PP protection and they have to cover the fees if they use a credit card. They can still reverse the transaction through their cc company up to 120 days after the event however.

If i'm selling something privately then i want the buyer to use PPG because as the seller it offers me a hint more protection from being scammed (as PP claims are generally very one sided to the buyer) and the buyer covers the fees. If the buyer wants to use the goods option and cover the fees then fair enough to them and from their point of it makes sense.

With all of that said unless something wreaks of being dodgy the chances of it going bad are very slim, not impossible but very remote.
 
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'm after a bit of advice. I have someone who wants to buy something off me on gumtree, but isn't close enough to collect. They have said they are willing to pay via PayPal but do not want to use the PayPal friends and family way.


Be a bit wary of this. I had someone try and pay for something the same way, and received a load of emails looking like they came from paypal confirming payment when I had no funds transferred. Watch for scammers ( that was gumtree too)
 
I have sold lenses and cameras on Gumtree, I always say cash on collection. Some buyers ask would I take PayPal, even though I stated I do not accept it. I personally could not be bothered with the hassle if things go wrong. Items could get damaged in transit, item could get stolen anywhere from being in the post, or by a thieving buyer. Yes you can get insurance etc, but all the hassle of claiming, plus you may get a black mark against you for claiming insurance.
 
:thinking: please explain :)
I though claiming insurance on goods gone missing, may be entered onto an insurance claims database. Saw a TV programme, think it was called Claimed and Shamed. An insurance claims handler said even claiming insurance on goods gone missing in post, gets logged as an insurance claim against you.
 
I do a lot of transactions thru PayPal, and I've bought/sold a lot on Ebay almost always using PayPal. I have a PayPal business account... If you ship to a verified address and follow the requirements (value based) the seller protection is as good as anything. It doesn't mean you can't get scammed, but nothing other than cash in hand (and forgery checks) does.
 
Forgive me if I'm being stupid, but what guarantee do I have if they say they never received the item?

the same guarantee they have that you dont post a box with a brick in it and say you sent the item and con them..

in other words theres no 100% guarantee.. you have to try and suss it out.. the fact your here asking these questions i would say find another buyer as your too scared of this one :)
 
This is a common scam on websites like Gumtree which is why you should accept anything but Paypal gift if they want to pay that way. They will pay the full amount including fees then raise a case with paypal saying they never received goods and you will have no proff that they did. Paypal will refund them.
 
Try the guy out by saying that you will be passing by his home town on a certain date, and you will never get a reply from them again or they will tell you on that exact date they won't be around
 
Try the guy out by saying that you will be passing by his home town on a certain date, and you will never get a reply from them again or they will tell you on that exact date they won't be around
Funnily enough, I've just found out that the buyer lives near to where I'll be on Thursday so they are meeting for a cash collection. So all seems ok.
 
That is an unexpected turnaround I would say, I have personally been in this situation few times and it always goes towards the buyer not replying again after similar suggestion
 
That is an unexpected turnaround I would say, I have personally been in this situation few times and it always goes towards the buyer not replying again after similar suggestion
I know, but let's actually wait to see what happens. Could still turn around and say they can't make it........
 
I am with a work colleague anyway, and I'm meeting in the hotel lobby. But seeing as they say they're female and I'm a 6' 1", 17 stone burly gorilla-looking bloke I think it's them who might get a bit intimidated! :S
 
I am with a work colleague anyway, and I'm meeting in the hotel lobby. But seeing as they say they're female and I'm a 6' 1", 17 stone burly gorilla-looking bloke I think it's them who might get a bit intimidated! :S
You've obviously not seen some of the women round here;)
 
Yes, Sorry for the late reply. Only got back yesterday. Yes, the woman came to meet me and paid in full, cash. Got chatting quite a bit too and may have lined some work up for myself doing some events up in Birmingham. See how it goes.
 
I do a lot of transactions thru PayPal, and I've bought/sold a lot on Ebay almost always using PayPal. I have a PayPal business account... If you ship to a verified address and follow the requirements (value based) the seller protection is as good as anything. It doesn't mean you can't get scammed, but nothing other than cash in hand (and forgery checks) does.

You only get this protection through eBay though. Not if you sell on Gumtree for instance
 
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