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A Paypal Offer - Is This Secure?

Hi All,

I am selling a CAT amplifier and have a paypal offer from a buyer who has very little feedback (only one transaction) and does not speak english well and communicates only small bits of information at a time. I am nervous about this. I spoke with paypal and they told me that as long as:

1) I am selling something of substance
2) I ship to the paypal address, no other address
3) I can document the shipping of the product

I am protected as a seller. If this is true, I should be able to accept his offer and make sure that I am shipping to the address listed in paypal, and I should be fine shipping pilot air insured (with tracking and all, including photos of packing, etc). What do you guys think? Is this too much of a risk, or not really a risk at all?
peter_s
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Peter_s, bank wire transfers are the safest method for the seller. It is by far my favorite way to deal Internationally, beeter than Paypal. There are some fees involved, so check with your bank so that you are aware what the fees are.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
My bank tells me that wire transfers are not reversible.
gpgr4blu
810 posts
 
Bank transfers are not reversible. But paypal has other info for every participant (checking acct/credit card) so that if you received $ by wire for a sale and then immediately withdrew the $, paypal can still charge back your checking acct or credit card.
That's why if you are a seller, a pure bank transfer or cash is best. If you are a buyer, you want paypal in order to have recourse in the event of a problem.
jea48
2,944 posts
 
That's why if you are a seller, a pure bank transfer or cash is best. If you are a buyer, you want paypal in order to have recourse in the event of a problem.
Gpgr4blu

LOL,
So if you are a seller, for safety, you should not use Paypal.
If you are a buyer, for safety, you should use Paypal.

Makes sense to me.... LOL.
polk432
1,116 posts
 
You must keep a small seperate account for paypal and never leave any money in it. Ship the item after the funds post to your account. You may lose a case with paypal but they can't take money out of an account that has nothing in it. Just be careful. I'd never pay for something with a check or money order unless it was sent C.O.D. If the seller doesn't ship, you may lose out. I have a good amount of transactions on ebay but I'll be the first to say that the buyers have way too much power when it comes to just changing their minds about a purchase. There needs to be an all sales are final (except D.O.A.) option and if it is not checked by the buyer, they are blocked from bidding or buying. In other words, if the unit works, no buyers remorse or excuses for finding an item that is being offered for less a few days later.
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