Safe to Accept a $1000+ Payment via PayPal?

CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 10:18
Last edited 19/01/2019 - 09:01 by 1 other user

***EDIT #2 - Have reopened the sale. See my latest comment for updates*********

EDIT Have contacted the potential buyer and have pulled the sale, based on this advice. It was originally listed on a Facebook BSS site specific to my sporting gear (for those curious, because I never specified that in my post). Will sell to a local buyer only, and will only accept cash in hand. Thanks everyone :) ***********

Hi all, just some advice before I go ahead to make sure that this is all legit.

I'm selling some sporting equipment (I'm in VIC), and the person who wants to purchase from me is in TAS. Because of the size of the gear, it has to go by courier.

The buyer is willing to pay the courier fees (I have a quote for $135) and the amount I have listed the gear for ($1000). He's even willing to pay a little more than the total ($15 more).

He wants to pay by PayPal. This all sounds like a legit transaction, and he is in contact with me regularly, and nothing stupid suspicious like wanting to wire me money.

I've never sent anything by courier before, or accepted a payment that large via Paypal.

So… does this seem legit to you? Any cautions I should know about? Other advice? Thanks :)

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Comments

  • HighAndDry on 16/01/2019 - 10:20
    +22

    He's even willing to pay a little more than the total.

    IMMEDIATE red flag. When does this ever actually happen? Paypal is notoriously pro-buyer and anti-seller. I'd be… wary, if not outright concerned.

    • bargainhunter87 on 16/01/2019 - 11:00

      If he actually transfers the money, what is the risk here?

      • HighAndDry on 16/01/2019 - 11:05
        +4

        Makes a claim for product not as described, not received, doesn't sign for it, claims paypal account was hacked, is actually using a hacked paypal account, the options are… many and varied.

        • teacherer on 16/01/2019 - 11:46

          What happened to PayPal changing their terms to not cover gumtree at all?

          • HighAndDry on 16/01/2019 - 11:56

            @teacherer: There's a bit of a gap in how this works - Paypal policies in relation to buyers mean that buyers aren't guaranteed protection for gumtree purchases. At the same time, Paypal policies in relation to sellers (and indeed, basically every bank or financial institution's policies) mean that if there is evidence of fraud, transfers can be reversed.

            Effectively: Just because a buyer isn't protected, doesn't mean it's necessarily safe for a seller either.

            Also - I wasn't sure if OP was selling on Gumtree.

      • HeWhoKnows on 17/01/2019 - 17:10

        A straight money transfer has NO buyer protection.
        Safe as money in the bank.

    • CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 12:17
      +2

      I'm talking $15 extra here

      • HighAndDry on 16/01/2019 - 12:27

        Oh haha, that's far less of a red flag. I don't know then - what's your gut say?

        • CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 13:14
          +1

          Never mind. I contacted the guy and pulled the sale. It was on a Facebook BSS group specific to that particular sports gear. He seems a bit upset, but I wished him all the best and left it at that

  • Some Human on 16/01/2019 - 10:20
    +13

    He's even willing to pay a little more than the total.

    Scam.

  • mbck on 16/01/2019 - 10:38
    +2

    Run away. Don't pass go. Scammer 100pc.

    Rather than repeat what others have said.

    Here read this.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/393207

    As someone on there also mentioned, ask to use Western union. Then you'll be fine lol

  • dcep on 16/01/2019 - 10:45
    +2

    Go ahead.

    Receive money in Paypal. Hold sending off.

    Transfer money from Paypal to bank account. Wait 3-5 days.
    If he rush you to post. You don't give a shit.

    When money hits the bank. Go ATM and cash out.
    Rub it all over your body and smell it.

    Remove any CC/bank details in paypal. Leave your bank acct empty.
    Then only post it out.

    • elgrande on 16/01/2019 - 10:51
      +6

      Pretty sure paypal will still claw it from your eyes.

    • CyberMurning on 16/01/2019 - 11:10
      +3

      dont do that. you will have bad credit history… gee.. this is australia Dude you think you can do those kind of things? someone will knock your door asking for payment. paypal will give your details to debt collector… oh my god….

      • dcep on 16/01/2019 - 11:12

        funny, what things ?

      • dcep on 16/01/2019 - 11:57
        -4

        Oh my god, credit rating my ass.

        Only Australian certified financial company's that specifically giving you 'credit' , can file bad credit on you.

        And, guess what ? Paypal is none of those.

        Get your facts right Dude!

        • payton on 16/01/2019 - 13:04
          +1

          Guess what happens when you dont pay your bills?

        • mbck on 16/01/2019 - 23:38
          +1

          Hey man. Any business can sell your debt to a debt collector. And if you don't answer the call, it will end up in your history. It may not have much impact in the past, but with comprehensive credit reporting active since a couple of months ago, I think the rules have changed.

          Stay safe peeps

    • FireRunner on 16/01/2019 - 11:26

      Great, support a scammer and make PayPal cop the loss

      • dcep on 16/01/2019 - 11:35

        Those are self-safeguard steps for every normal sales transaction.

        But then i guess you already proven him as scammer.

    • teacherer on 16/01/2019 - 11:45

      Andddd never use PayPal again?

    • Zachary on 17/01/2019 - 09:08
      +2

      Rub it all over your body and smell it.

      I like this part.

  • Ryanek on 16/01/2019 - 10:54
    -1

    Let me guess… he wants to send it via PayPal under Friends and Family?

    • FireRunner on 16/01/2019 - 11:24
      +1

      Actually he would want it as a normal payment as this means he's paying for a product and can dispute it.
      F&F doesn't have buyer protection as you're supposedly sending it to a friend or family member.
      For a seller, you would want F&F payment.

    • teacherer on 16/01/2019 - 11:46
      +2

      That gives the advantage to the seller not the buyer lol

    • dust on 16/01/2019 - 12:53
      +1

      Probably not. It's better to receive as F&F because no fees (and no buyer protection)!

    • CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 13:16

      I never got that far into details. We had been in contact for almost a week (I've been on holidays). I pulled the sale after reading all these replies

  • tanguyen on 16/01/2019 - 11:06
    +4

    Was there a reason why they wanted to pay extra?

    I've personally bought and sold things for >$1000 and paid/asked for payment for courier +3% paypal fees.

    I've had an attempted scam before but it's been totally obvious, as in, "I am Nigerian and work on an oil rig as a naval engineer off the Turkish coast, so here is $1000 for the item and an extra $3000 for your troubles".

    Most of the stuff I sell are musical instruments, so I can gauge whether they're a muso or not. You can gauge specifics for sport/athletes.

    Online selling is always a risk and I've heard some shocking stories, not necessarily scams, but just arseholes. Always look after yourself, and hopefully you aren't in a rush for the money, as that can cloud your thinking!

  • vinni9284 on 16/01/2019 - 11:33
    +1

    I assume that this is from a Gumtree ad?

    If the potential buyer has PayPal and is willing to pay extra as they claim, then use eBay for the transaction.
    The extra charge that the generous buyer is willing to pay, can pay for eBay & PayPal charges re selling your item plus you can add $135 delivery cost.
    At least with eBay, there are so more rigorous protection for you.

    If the seller is flakey about this deal, then you know 100% it is scam.

    Cheers

  • stirlo on 16/01/2019 - 11:55
    +5

    If he's trustworthy and you're trustworthy then there's no reason not to use bank deposit. Wait until the money lands in your bank account (fake receipts are everywhere) and then post it.

    Stay away from Paypal it literally offers no advantages to him or you if you trust each other. The only benefit Paypal provides in these situations is allowing scams.

    • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 09:06

      Have reopened the sale because buyer is more than happy to use bank deposit, yay :)

      • payton on 19/01/2019 - 15:45
        +1

        ignore the buyer if they try to rush you in sending the goods out because they've emailed you 'an electronic proof of transfer' :)

        • stirlo on 19/01/2019 - 17:49

          Yep, important to wait until you see the funds in your account. Not trust a potentially fake receipt.

        • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 18:19

          Will definitely, 100% be waiting for the funds to appear in my account, and even withdraw that cash to put in another account before posting it!

  • wannagrababargain on 16/01/2019 - 12:00
    +2

    The fact that he's willing to pay your full asking price, plus an exhorbitant amount for shipping, plus a "bit extra" for some used sports equipment all adds up to something very fishy.

    You know what they say about when something seems too good to be true..

  • CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 12:21
    +1

    WOW, okay, seems I have a lot to learn. Thanks so much everyone, I don't think I'll go ahead with this after all :)

    • dazweeja on 16/01/2019 - 12:25
      +1

      It's a very common scam. Buyer pays via Paypal, goods are sent, buyer claims account was hacked or goods not received, PayPal takes the money back.

      • mbck on 16/01/2019 - 23:39

        But what if you have tracking, and it showed delivered? Plus you took a photo of it with the address.

  • ChillBro on 16/01/2019 - 12:23

    They'd probably just send one of those fake transaction emails to your paypal email.

  • Ocker on 16/01/2019 - 12:27
    +4

    Use your courier - not theirs
    Check address on Google Maps
    Keep documentary evidence item has been shipped to correct address.
    Request payment by Bank Transfer - not PayPal.
    Wit till funds hit your account
    PayPal is fraught with danger for the unwary.

    • CryssieJade on 16/01/2019 - 13:10

      I was using my own courier. I've contacted the buyer and explained that I'm pulling the post because I have been advised to stick to local buyers only. And I wished him all the best and left it at that. He seems a bit upset, but I don't owe any more messages. It was in a Facebook Buy Swap Sell page specific to my sports gear.

    • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 09:05

      Edit - have reopened the sale. He is very happy to bank deposit

  • SlickMick on 17/01/2019 - 10:22
    +1

    Did you offer to let him deposit funds in your account?

    He may not have wanted to even if he was legit, but at least it puts the risk back on him (of you taking his money and never sending goods).

    I was having trouble selling a car because I didn't want to use paypal but buyers didn't want to deposit.

    • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 09:04

      When I told him I didn't want to use PayPal, he said he was happy to bank deposit. Sounds good to me

  • [Deactivated] on 17/01/2019 - 11:56
    +1

    Western Union all the way, especially since they are willing to pay more.

    Use own courier to track and submit evidence against any claims. To be honest, it should be fine if you have this. Better would be a video of you packing it and then waiting for the courier to arrive.

    • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 09:03

      Definitely using own courier, and will make a video of packing it, thank you :)

  • the Unforgiven on 17/01/2019 - 19:24
    +2

    Give him your bank account details so he can put it directly into your account, bypass payPal

    • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 09:02

      Am going to do this, and he's absolutely fine with it

      • the Unforgiven on 19/01/2019 - 19:31

        problem solved, beers all around :)

  • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 08:59

    Okay kids, it would seem the plot has thickened… I reopened the sale. I honestly think he is legit. When I told him I didn't want to use PayPal, he said he was fine to bank deposit.

    And when I told him I would rather sell to a local buyer than to someone sight unseen (I put very detailed photos up and he said he was happy with the photos enough to know he wanted to buy it)… He then told me that he has a friend in Melbourne who will come and inspect it if that's what I prefer. Said friend is coming tonight to inspect gear…

    For the record, this is for Kitesurfing gear, which is stupid expensive at the best of times - hence the high price tag. It's not '$1000 on a bunch of used sporting gear' as someone said!

    • payton on 19/01/2019 - 18:16
      +1

      all the best, OP!

      • CryssieJade on 19/01/2019 - 18:21

        Fingers crossed, and thank you :)
        My gut tells me I have nothing to worry about. Just this thread made me anxious, but I'm glad I reached out regardless. Thanks to everyone for their advice :)

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