Seems like almost all sellers only want to be paid in cash for items not transfer even though its instant so they can see the money in their account before handing the item over. It's quite frustrating because I don't carry cash so you have to go out of your way to find an ATM which can double the total trip time. This is even for $20 items, do they really think someone is going to go all that way to try and scam them out of $20?
Why Does Everyone on Gumtree/ Marketplace Insist on Being Paid in Cash?
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Last edited 05/03/2021 - 18:13
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@LFO: What doesn't sound right?
Why should the banks in Turkey, Venezuela or Iran stop people from receiving money from their family from overseas? Don't they have a free and democratic society over there?
Should only Westerners be allowed to enjoy a free monetary system where they can earn a living and spend it the way they want?
@whooah1979: If there's an electronic record, the government can track/use it
If I pay someone for something using folding notes, they can't
Take me through how this works. Democracy means I can vote. I don't have to pay to vote. Even if I did, it would make no difference if I paid with paper or plastic.
In 2007 around 75 per cent of transactions in Australia were cash. In 2019 it was below 25 per cent. Are you claiming we've lost two-thirds of our democracy? What does that even mean?
after they take away cash, next step is to replace electronic money with a social credit system
Exactly. Once cash is gone and replaced by electronic money (and whatever follows), government will have total control over your life
Bikies.
If you use paypal, you're just asking to be scammed on scumtree. If they start a dispute on the transaction you're basically screwed as paypal pretty much always sides with the buyer. It's even worse in gumtree's case because listings are removed permanently once deleted. There's no proof of anything and paypal will offer essentially zero seller protection.
And that's where you're partially wrong. Been using PayPal via Gumtree for about 3 years now. PayPal always sided with me. Why? I take photos of the item before sending it out and then counter claim with hard evidence to PayPal if Buyer attempts to scam.
I take photos of the item before sending it out and then counter claim with hard evidence to PayPal if Buyer attempts to scam.
Sounds like a lot of annoying extra work that cash only would have solved.
I thought there was no buyer protection for PayPal transactions on gumtree? So it wouldn't matter if they complained.
I ask for cash or crypto, that way I know they can't pull the funds.
In my last transaction, the bloke paid me cash and crypto. Very happy with the transaction.
To many scammers, too many people who then do chargeback and the seller is left with no item and no money.
It's quite frustrating because I don't carry cash so you have to go out of your way to find an ATM which can double the total trip time.
I'm Captain Picard doing a facepalm right now.
Generally speaking I use cash for all Gumtree transactions.
There have been instances where I've used PayID/Osko ($3K GPU), and had the funds have transferred near instantly to my account without issues.
transfer even though its instant
This is very incorrect.
Bank transfer may or may not be instant. Usually are NOT instant, at least for amounts over $100? $200?And what do you do if the transfer doesn't appear "instantly". Tell the buyer to wait? For how long? 10 minutes? 2 hours? Come back tomorrow?
How about if the transfer gets reversed as soon as the "buyer" grabs the items?
Too many risks for too little benefit.
Not a big deal to visit an ATM just before buying.
A big anoing deal if the buyer is a skilled crook.Sorry but Cash is King … or transfer today and pickup when my bank says all is good.
n00b
Gumtree is for face-to-face deals. Bank transfers are not a factor in things like that; cash or nothing.
Even though Gumtree offers face to face paypal transfers, and paypal does not protect anyone that trades in-person, I still want cash. Too many scammers out there and I have been scammed myself
Surely there is a ATM somewhere near you.
People are so whiny.Unless OP is out in the sticks not being able to find an ATM is the worst excuse ever. Sounds more like someone doesn't know how to plan or search a map if it takes them double the time to go to an ATM.
Quite suspicious, are you a scammer ?
I always accept transfer and haven't been scammed.
You must be new here.
Member Since 03/06/2014
Oh… don't go on the forums much?
Here - have a read on why Cash is King - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/search/node/gumtree%20cash%20ty…
Geez, surely it's not that hard to go to the ATM and get some cash out. Quit bitchin.
It's to avoid being scammed. I ask for cash all the time
Accepting bank transfer for a real life transaction is just asking to be scammed, really this is just OP being too lazy to go to an ATM.
Sorry, but this is the kind of stupid question a scammer that's getting frustrated would ask. That or you're just not trying to see it from the seller's point of view.
I once sold a headset for $1100 on Facebook via bank transfer. The guy contact me and asked for it, I asked him where he lived and turned out he lived in another city.
So I joking said you can transfer me $1100 + posting fee first. To my surprised he did, got my money immediately since it’s the same bank.
I end up didn’t send the headset. Joking I did, but also warned him that I could easily choose not to send it.
Would I ever do what he did? No way. But it does happen.
If he paid via PayPal, couldn't he seek a refund based on non-delivery?
It was a direct bank transfer. No way I'll accept Paypal :D
I've sold/selling items on both marketplace/gumtree, always cash.
Had a few buyers wanting to do transfers but I always say no and would suggest meeting at a place with ATM.
99% of buyers would understand and agree and the odd ones would go psycho on me.
I would tell them I'm not in a hurry to sell, and if you do not agree to MY terms, then I'm happy to wait.
Have learnt not to waste too much time, worst ones are - i'm on a budget, can you do <50% less>?
My response to them - Will you sell me your car for $100 cos that's my budget.Why Does Everyone on OzBargain Insist on Posting Questions and then Not Accepting Other People's Points of View?
" I caused a car accident, texting while driving is perfectly safe as I'm a good driver, I don't have insurance, here's a paint diagram, please internet tell me i'm in the right"
"why can't I return something to the store that broke after 13 years, the customer is always right"
"i didn't service my car for 6 years, mechanic trying to rip me off telling me i need an oil change and new rotors, i don't know anything about cars, but i know tyres should last 100,000km"
"i bought my mobile phone 6 months ago, now the store is selling it cheaper, why are they ripping me off?"
was thinking of setting up a "legends of ozbargain/whirlpool complaints" blog but seriously that would be a fulltime job in itself.
was thinking of setting up a "legends of ozbargain/whirlpool complaints" blog but seriously that would be a fulltime job in itself.
Just update the wiki page every now and again
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/epic_threads
Why Does Everyone on OzBargain Insist on Posting dumb Questions and then Not Accepting Other People's Points of View?
answer: to generate site traffic and play suckers
I'm more puzzled as to why so many people on Gumtree and FB Marketplace insist on pick up, as opposed to post. Buyers can pay via PayPal (G&S) and the majority of items I list can be posted for less than $7 via Sendle; yet 3/4 of prospective buyers want to waste at least 20 minutes of our respective time to travel to a common location and wait to transact (amounting to about $27 in time, based on $40 hourly pay=2x0.34x40).
To be fair (my view as a seller), packaging something, making a trip to the post office etc means unless the seller is bulk posting stuff, they're copping that $27 dollars themselves rather than pushing it onto the buyer.
I typically only offer pick up as a seller due to the additional effort on my behalf as I'm not set up as a mail order business
I use Sendle's pick up function so all I need to do is create a label online, place it on the parcel and leave it outside my house for pickup.Takes me 5 mins.
Where do you get your packing materials from? Normally I sell either boardgames or electronics, so people are pretty concerned with the condition they receive it in, including the box that it is in etc.
@Domingo: I buy the satchels bulk on eBay (works out to be about 10-50c each), cardboard/boxes for free from Bunnings (but I'm sure you could ask your Aldi if that's closer), newspapers from my nearest 7-Eleven's recycling bin.
@Shiny Mew: And how much time did you spend sourcing those materials? Did you calculate the cost based on your hourly pay calculations?
Sometimes buyers just wants to the item on hand straight away. As a seller I just tell them to go to places where I would be going anyway. E.g. when I make my grocery run. Unless you also count grocery runs as opportunity cost lost?
@raptormesh: As an OCD packer, I can spend 20 minutes boxing and packing an item.
Same goes for people not used to sending items, they don’t have the materials to package it, and are scared you are scamming them.
Have used trans direct, similar to sendle.
Cause most people aren't a store. And sales are final with cash.
Had dealings with people that treat the transaction like a commercial contract when paying with PayPal/etc. Returning items that arent fit for their purposes after using it for a while.. just got sick of it.
Minority of buyers that ruin it for the communityThe minority of buyers aren't the only one ruining it. - if you'd done much buying you'd know there's a minority of sellers too.
Cash at a neutral meeting place (eg McDonalds) is still the safest for both for Gumtree. That doesn't mean other ways are always ruled out, just that they're inherently riskier for either buyer or seller or both.
Yes true. I am going to say it depends on demographics and which area the seller is in.
I avoid certain areas to buy things after experiences that taught me to discriminate who I deal with.
this frustrates me too on facebook market place, most people say I don’t want transfer because I need the cash to buy something on there. It’s like a vicious cycle
I ignore anyone on gumtree/marketplace that wants to transfer/PayPal etc. It's always cash. However with PayID I'm trying to work out if they can request a reversal. So I'm yet to accept that. Can anyone confirm?
It is always cash. Items are second hand (usually) and it's buyer beware. Like buying something from a flea market.
I've had times where I used to accept PayPal. But got burnt. Lying buyers who just make up shit. And they get refund and I'm out of pocket. So for the time being it will ALWAYS be cash. Until something else pops up. It might be PayID. But I'm not certain yet with PayID.
Same incident myself, lying buyers. But don't eBay/paypal require buyer to send the item back?
The main lie the buyers use is that they never got the goods. So Paypal can't ask them to send it back.
From what I am hearing, insisting on cash is the smartest thing to do. They have no excuses not to pay in cash.
Cash is my prefer choice as a seller.
Had the unfortunate incident with an eBay buyer. Sold an iPhone on eBay. The buyer change his mind but because I tick no return, he falsely claim it have faulty screen and scratch mark which force eBay to initiate a return and refund.
Was concern the buyer swap some parts but luckily he did not.
Had not use eBay for several years and now I am just going to close my eBay account. It brings me no value.
Was initially selling at Gumtree. But my sells for some unknown reason was blocked with no explanation. I google and someone mention the IP I used (dynamic) was used in a fraudulent case hence I was block.
OP reminds me of friends who "never carry cash" and conveniently have no cash to pay when it comes to buying food and drinks especially at places where they accept cash only. And they always say i'll transfer you the money or pay you next time. But they never!
No differnet from the friend who always has to leave the pub when its his turn to shout. I've always thought such experiences good value - you've paid a very small amount of money to learn enough about that friend that you'll never give them a loan of anything.
Bank transfer is not always instant, esp between different banks. For this reason I'd always prefer cash. not worth the risk and hassles dealing with bank transfer.
Because in most cases then id have to go to the atm and cash it out
You answered your own question haha
Cash is best but I have been paid with pay ID..
Transfer to new payees are not always instant.
It's quite frustrating because I don't carry cash so you have to go out of your way to find an ATM
If you want to buy stuff, then carry cash.
This is even for $20 items, do they really think someone is going to go all that way to try and scam them out of $20?
Yes. I do that as well even for items with lesser value. For me it’s not worth chasing after them if they do anything dodgy and keep saying “will appear on your bank account in 1-2 days” (even with npp systems on place it can happen).
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One time this happened (although bit unrelated to context). Listed a brand new item, guy shows up and said want to have a look first and then he proceeds to open it up and said all good and will go to atm and bring cash. He never returned and i could no longer sell it as unopened item.
This is when you put your trust in scumbag strangers.
1) I have been scammed, though I must take some of the blame, rookie.
2) Part of picking up bargains if having cash on hand ready to go, bargains do not wait.
3) Bank systems crash, you should have some cash on hand for emergencies.
4) Is it that hard to have a little cash around?
Osko / PayID is not always instant. Example - https://www.commbank.com.au/digital-banking/pay-id.html
First time payments to a new payee may be held for up to 24 hours as a security measure.
As it's almost a given that you will be a new payee for that person, I may not be able to verify on the spot that someone has transfered me the money. Might be okay for something like $20. However if its over $100, I'd prefer cash. I'd be happy to wait up to 24 hours before giving you the item, but you probably wouldn't be. Therefore, easier to pay cash.
Not all bank transfers are instant, only those from an Osko registered bank. For example, I transfer from my ANZ account to my CBA account, instant! If I transfer from my CBA to ANZ, overnight, and only if I transfer before 5:00PM.
I hate it to when I buy something and have to take cash out. However when I sell I also sell with cash only 😂
Tax tax tax
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@whooah1979: Somehow it doesn't sound correct.
Governments will not intercept, BANKS will NOT process to avoid government.