How Do I Not Get Scammed on PayPal Sales

knobbs on 20/04/2021 - 18:06

I have a rather expensive item I want to sell on gumtree and a few interstate buyers are wanting me to ship it and seem kinda legit. Yes I know this can be an old scam and goes back for ages. Normally all classified deals I have done in the past on Ozb everyone is fine with F&F transfer, albeit max a few hundred, not over the $1k like this item. A guy has sent me a payment via PayPal but they have held payment and need me to put in tracking info before they release funds. Can they still just claim 'not working' when they receive it and PayPal comes after me for the money?

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Comments

  • Hybroid on 20/04/2021 - 18:09
    +8

    Gumtree = cash on collection.

    Not possible? Bank transfer then.

    Nothing else worth the risk for a $1k item.

  • apsilon on 20/04/2021 - 18:17

    Not sure if I'd do it for that amount but I have insisted for a couple of sales they pay via the friends and family feature of Paypal. It's much harder to dispute as it's not supposed to be used for selling stuff so the usual buyer protection guarantee isn't in place. It probably is a breach of T&C though if you were to read them so use at your own risk.

    • Quantumcat on 20/04/2021 - 19:09
      +1

      I believe you could still lose money with F&F if the buyer did a chargeback. They couldn't make a habit of it as they'd get their account banned but with a $1k item could be worth the risk to someone. Bank transfer a bit safer I think

  • holdenmg on 20/04/2021 - 18:38

    Nah, just sell to a local at Macca's…

  • 87percent on 20/04/2021 - 18:39

    Is that holding funds, a PayPal enforced thing? Or did the buyer put that caveat in?

    • knobbs on 20/04/2021 - 18:41

      Seems to be a paypal thing. PayPal are holding the funds (as well as taking a 'fee').

      • apsilon on 20/04/2021 - 18:50
        +1

        It is though I've also seen reports of scammers using it their advantage and sending a forged email stating the funds are on hold etc and will be released once tracking info is provided. In reality the email didn't come from Paypal. If you were to decide to go ahead, contact Paypal first and ensure it's legit.

        • knobbs on 20/04/2021 - 19:03

          Yeah I logged into PayPal to check and there is a section to enter tracking number and stuff in my PayPal acocunt.

          • Chris Topher on 21/04/2021 - 19:20

            @knobbs: Just a tiny little spelling error. Call me a pedant, but….

            • knobbs on 21/04/2021 - 19:40

              @Chris Topher: I read that 3x over before I saw haha. Well I can't change it now…

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 20/04/2021 - 18:50
    +1

    Yes they can. In my experience paypal tend to side on buyers side.

    Gumtree = cash only and ideally in a public place.

  • Quantumcat on 20/04/2021 - 19:06
    +3

    Don't do it. Give them a refund and let them know you've decided to sell it local cash in hand after all. If they choose to send it to you by bank transfer then great (but don't take a screenshot as proof!) otherwise just sell it locally. If you get a little less money then it is worth it as insurance against scammers.

  • l0nglive on 20/04/2021 - 19:13

    It goes both ways. I would never transfer money to seller via bank. IF they scam, I have no protection.
    Paypal at least have a formal protocol to deal with "not received" complaint

    Paypal is like a nice compromise.

  • thatonethere on 20/04/2021 - 19:18

    To be honest you could send them anything in the post or put in any tracking number….

    However this sounds more like a PayPal thing as you have not sold anything or much or have reached $1000 for the first time.

  • The Value on 20/04/2021 - 20:25
    +1

    PayPal on Gumtree is 100% scam. PayPal is only good to use with retailers and eBay. No reason to use PayPal otherwise.

    • 87percent on 21/04/2021 - 08:14
      -1

      Not necessarily. I’ve bought low value ($200 less) items off gumtree via PayPal

      Majority of transactions would be fine IMO

  • Transient on 20/04/2021 - 21:39
    +1

    Aust Post Cash on Delivery?
    https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2432277

    • The Value on 21/04/2021 - 09:49
      +1

      The one and only time I used COD was to buy a Goldfinger hack device for the PlayStation 1 online in the early 2000s. Might even be the late 90s.

      • Transient on 21/04/2021 - 23:26

        Nice! Good times back then…

    • Quantumcat on 21/04/2021 - 12:32

      They could refuse delivery and leave you with paying postage both ways

      • Transient on 21/04/2021 - 23:27
        +1

        Ask them for 10% prepayment to show they are bona fide and to cover such an event.

  • Kranbone on 20/04/2021 - 23:27

    I never use paypal for gumtree, ever. I've nearly always done bank transfer but when they've not had peace of mind, I've just suggested that if they have anyone local, can they collect the item and pay on their behalf.

  • Topdog on 21/04/2021 - 09:22
    +1

    I would not accept money via PayPal. PayID and send after confirming funds are available if you're not doing cash. (profanity) Paypal

  • peter05 on 21/04/2021 - 11:10
    +2

    yeah don't go with paypal, even with friends and family they can dispute with credit card chargeback, non authorised use of account and all that crap

  • Foxtail on 22/04/2021 - 14:14

    If sending spend $3.00 on Post signature required, if not OZ Post will leave it at the address then you have no recourse with Paypal.

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