Posted on 09/19/2011 7:30:45 AM PDT by Former MSM Viewer
If I sell online, can I get scammed if they pay me thru Paypal?
We almost fell for the motorcycle on craigslist- you know, the one that belonged to a soldier killed in Afghanistan and it just hurt too much to see it in the garage.
Seller wanted to ship it to us from Kansas. Say What??? You mean no one in Kansas wants a Harley and you have to send it to Georgie? And you want us to pay now and then we will get the bike when the money clears?!
Where is Charles Bronson when you need him?!
Yes, be very careful meeting anyone in person. There have been many cases where people have been murdered. Try to bring some kind of protection with you- mace, a small machete, a knife in the toe of your shoe or a big goon. Learn karate first if possible. Even worse, if you’re killed, Craigslist will delete your account and won’t let you sell anything more online.
They where lucky. I sold a completely functional vinyl cutter on feebay and accepted paypal for it in the amount of 10,000 dollars. Item was crated and shipped. All was good until 5.5 months later the guy claimed it was broken and did not work (5.5 months later? ya.. right)
Paypal does NOT fight charge backs. So they gave him the money back and told him to return the item.
That was 15 years ago. I’ve heard of the slow boat to china but even that would have arrived by now.
They sent a collection company after me who sued me. I won when I mentioned to the judge that my product was never returned and the collection company could not prove otherwise.
5 years of fighting with the collection company and dealing with the bad mark on my credit made me realize no ebay OR paypal for this guy.
I’ll use paypal to pay for something but NEVER to accept payment for something.
Are you selling a car? Some big ticket item?
IF you are selling a car (or buying); this is what I do.
Handle the financials at the tax office. Or better yet, a title transfer office.
It’s assurance for the buyer and seller. Do not hand over cash or a cashiers check until you get the white slip.
I bought a good used car last year from a fellow who had an open title. He owned the car, but he never registered the title. No problem - I said - I’ll still buy it as long as I get a white slip (guarantee to get the original title in 3 weeks).
Anyway, I got a clear title, but the poor fool had to pay a $100 penalty only because he failed to register the vehicle when he bought it 6 months ealier.
And one more thing. I always ask for a phone number when I am selling something. I specifically say that emails with no phone numbers will not be answered. You would be surprised how many generic questions or responses we get that are only a way to get our email address.
‘I am interested.’
‘How many do you have?’
No phone number, no name. Just looking for a response to get your email.
Cash only on Craigslist. I cannot imagine why anyone would insist on using paypal unless they have some kind of scam going.
Walk away.
“Yes and no... They can dispute the transaction, which causes Paypal to hold up the money until it’s resolved - and that can take weeks or months. If you sold what was advertised, you’ll eventually win but it can take a LONG time.
Don’t take Paypal - take cash.”
Incorrect, if the buyer disputes and if you don’t have an official delivery confirmation, you lose. And if you do use a delivery confirmation, they can always file a ‘item not as described claim’ and of course you will lose. Never sell anything of value via paypal!!! If the customer is a crook, you will lose! Sorry to be so dramatic, but paypal is the best pal a crook has ever had. Have been selling online since 2002, i sell lots of small value stuff, 5-10-15 dollar sales, and have been scammed many times, but the value is small enough that no one sale can break me, but it is very easy to scam on paypal. DO NOT SELL VIA PAYPAL. If it is valuable, Cash only and move on if they refuse. If the are a crook, and no there way around paypal, you will lose. There are websites that school crooks on how to scam sellers on paypal...beware!
Sounds to me like whoever is trying to purchase this is a crook by demanding paypal.
“’ll use paypal to pay for something but NEVER to accept payment for something.”
Abdo-lutely!
If you are selling cars, motorcycles or bicycles that will allow you to meet the buyer at a neutral location you are better off. Our sheriff recommends his parking lot where a safe CASH transaction can take place.
Things like appliances, jewelry, and furniture have led to home invasions, even murder!
I beg to differ with you. I had a buyer for a tractor, about $6K. He sent his ranch hand to come look at it and was satisfied with it. Through paypal I sent him an email invoice for that amount and in the remarks section of the invoice I entered all sales final, sold as is where is.It left him with no recourse. He paid with credit card and I was immediately credited to my bank account. Less 2.9 %
Thanks for all the good ideas. I have some things to sell too & tried Craigs list in spring with no results (my mom’s handicap items.. bed, wheelchair etc).
GOing to try again soon & have more things to add
good tips from you. I had felt cash was the ONLY way to go but your other ideas are helpful
bfl
We just recently bought a car on CL. The dealer seemed so low key (just a few cars) that we checked them out. He was what he claimed, and things worked out well, and we saved a ton of money.
The rule:
If you are buying a car from a private seller, you go to the DMV and do it there. The seller comes in with you. Now you might want to escape taxes somehow, but it’s not worth it. I cannot tell you how many people I know bought a car (sometimes for thousands) and at the office found the car had liens or wasn’t even the seller’s to sell.
I know someone who spent thousands and found the car was a rental car with a counterfeit title. It had been reported as stolen.
If you tell the person to meet you at the DMV and the money will only be handed over when the title is confirmed, a crook will scuttle.
Cash only. In person meeting at a safe spot. Bring a friend if you’re going to their place. Have back up just in case if they are coming to your place.
only sell in person, locally.
See my post 24. I agree. Buying a car? Handle it at the DMV.
And anymore.. If you are SELLING a car. Go to the DMV as well.
Make sure the buyer registers it. So that you are released from liability as owner. In case the buyer runs over someone, crashes into something, runs up big toll bills and so on.
Paypal can - and will - hold money if there is a dispute. If you’ve already pulled the cash to your bank you’re OK at that time, but as long as that dispute is still open, they will hold any other funds up to the disputed amount.
A simple form provided by the state of Texas when filled out by seller and buyer with the buyers info will relieve you of that resposibility if sold in private.
Can not be a dispute if sold as is where is all sales final on the invoice.
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