Nervous transaction through eBay/Paypal.

Sipha · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:21

Hi guys/girls.

I'm just after a little bit of advice/reassurance to be honest, and hopefully some answers from experienced folks who have done the same thing.

I have recently sold my Mac through eBay, all well and good. But the transaction is of a very high value (over £1000) and I'm understandably nervous.

My problem is my Buyer has (0) feedback and joined eBay that same day. HOWEVER, I immediately asked the buyer to contact myself after winning the item, which they did promptly and we had a short conversation stating that he is using a new account of his girlfriends. And will pay as soon as he gets the funds through his paypal. We swapped telephone numbers and left it at that. They seemed like a genuine person ?!

a few days later i had a text stating that they are having to wait for paypal to setup a new PP account and the 2x deposit amounts to confirm through the their bank. This duely happened and the buyer was back in touch today to say they are sending the funds.

I recevied an eCheque from their paypal for the full amount today which apparently will take a week or so to clear. The buyer also text me stating that this was the case and if there are any problems to call. Sounds ok I think.

The buyers address in Paypal is confirmed. I will only send it to this once the payment has cleared and will use RMSD fully tracked and insured for the total amount to do so.

Am I being overly paranoid here or does anything sound untoward ? Also what steps can I take to make 110% I am fully covered/safe to send the Mac. It's a lot of money and I can't afford to lose out here.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated, sorry for the wall of text !

Thanks !

MrMoonX · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:24

its a scam, paypal will screw you dont send the mac!

echeque = scam!

touch · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:24

AFAIK paypal dont offer buyer protection on transactions over £500.
I dont know if that means he cant raise a dispute or just that it is handled differently or whatever.

Craterloads · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:25

Tracked signed for delivery to the address listed on PayPal, record serial numbers or photograph them. Make sure courier offers insurance on product.

You should be fine, 99% of people are genuine out there.

muon · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:34

Craterloads said:
Tracked signed for delivery to the address listed on PayPal, record serial numbers or photograph them. Make sure courier offers insurance on product.

You should be fine, 99% of people are genuine out there.

Not 99% of zero feedback buyers on high value items though.

What ebay novice would genuinely spend £1000+ on their first transaction? Very few I bet.

New paypal account could be set up on fraudulent details where it takes a while for payment to bounce as owner of bank account slowly realises.

Paypal 'should' pay you back though.

https://cms.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/?...ocale.x=en_GB#11. Seller Protection Programme

MrMoonX · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:40

Craterloads said:
Tracked signed for delivery to the address listed on PayPal, record serial numbers or photograph them. Make sure courier offers insurance on product.

You should be fine, 99% of people are genuine out there.

are you mad?

new ebay account, "problems" with paypal, this just screams SCAM!

Sipha · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:40

Am I not safe to wait for the payment to clear into my PP then withdraw into my bank account and then wait for it to clear there also before sending out ??

muon · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:43

Sipha said:
Am I not safe to wait for the payment to clear into my PP then withdraw into my bank account and then wait for it to clear then before sending out ??

Nope. Can be reversed if I claim it was a fraudulent transaction. However, paypal are supposed to pay out of their own pocket if you follow guidelines.

413x · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:43

I wouldn't do it! I wouldn't have let the person win it (was it auction)

I'd say laptop was damaged etc and withdraw from sale. I'd rather have the bad feedback

C.R.A.Z.Y · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:44

Sounds a tad fishy to me, I'd be reluctant to send under the circumstances tbh.

Craterloads · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:44

New account buyers usually I find are perfectly fine and pay over the odds too. Follow the rules and you will be fine.

muon · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:44

What is your feedback level? Less experienced sellers are targeted more as well.

Sipha · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:47

Nearly 100 Positive Feedbacks myself, member since 2005.

I would have cancelled the bid had I had the time. But it was a last second job.

BDEE · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:47

I just sold something on Preloved. Was £135. Guy wanted to pay with PP. I said "I dont use Paypal" (lies).

He paid me direct to my bank account - Was happy enough to do it, so knew he was genuine. This is the problem with eBay, the fact they try and monopolise the payments market by making it a condition that you have to offer PayPal as a way to pay.

Hence I am starting to use Preloved now and refusing PayPal.

weringo · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:48

Seeing as the address is confirmed, I'd send it. But not until the funds have cleared my bank account.

norm · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:48

You spent £75 in final value fees to ebay + an extra £35 in PayPal fees, and you're left feeling nervous? You're doing it wrong.

Seriously for high value items cash only is the only safe way.

BennyC · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:49

Cash on collection not possible?

Surely for the cost of your fees you could drop it off in person.

Sipha · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:51

norm said:
You spent £75 in final value fees to ebay + an extra £35 in PayPal fees, and you're left feeling nervous? You're doing it wrong.

Seriously for high value items cash only is the only safe way.

I'm only trying to follow the rules as a genuine seller !

What can I do then at this point to protect myself ? Cancel the eCheque and request an alternative method of payment such as bank transfer or just dive out altogether ?

CREATIVE!11 · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:51

I'd tell buyer look cash on collection, can meet u half way whatever, but if not no deal.

I wouldn't risk it.

Craterloads · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:53

Don't know why eBay gets such a bad rep, possibly due to the fact people who have had negative outcomes tend to post online whist the 99% positives don't. Similar to online reviews of tech suppliers like ocuk.