Keeping yourself 100% safe when selling on Ebay?

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

R.O.S.S.I

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I keep reading horror stories about Ebay (and PayPal too) so i'm just wondering, short of not using it, what are the best ways to keep yourself safe when selling on Ebay?

I've got some pretty expensive IT equipment which I have listed on the MM and other electronics forums to sell but if it doesn't get any interest i'm going to have to whack it on Ebay.

How do I keep myself best protected if I am to sell on there as I know people can do chargebacks or open disputes with Paypal and I'd rather not have the money tied up or locked somewhere because of some stupid cretin!
 
Take photos of all serial numbers, sell to only UK buyers and buyers with a certain feedback, 30+ for example, offer cash on collection too.
 
The safest way of doing it is getting them to give you cash on collection or BT any other way leaves you open to chargebacks and PP holding on to cash.

Before someone comes and says but... these still leave you open to fake notes and stolen bank accounts of course.
 
Clov!s said:
Take photos of all serial numbers, sell to only UK buyers and buyers with a certain feedback, 30+ for example, offer cash on collection too.
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tom_e said:
The safest way of doing it is getting them to give you cash on collection or BT any other way leaves you open to chargebacks and PP holding on to cash.

Before someone comes and says but... these still leave you open to fake notes and stolen bank accounts of course.
Click to expand...

Can you do cash on collection? I thought it had to be PayPal?

glen8 said:
been there, done that, got the t-shirt

Photos are useless when something goes wrong
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Well that's reassuring to hear.....NOT!

The items I am selling are still brand new and sealed so no way of me doing that anyway.

I know the safest way is not to use it but I may need to.
 
glen8 said:
been there, done that, got the t-shirt

Photos are useless when something goes wrong
Click to expand...

Me too and also saying in the listing "I will only sell to someone with x amount of feedback" is equally useless because it breaks ebays terms and conditions. You have to sell to anyone.

There is no way to protect yourself on ebay. You're always rolling the dice.
 
R.O.S.S.I said:
Can you do cash on collection? I thought it had to be PayPal?



Well that's reassuring to hear.....NOT!

The items I am selling are still brand new and sealed so no way of me doing that anyway.

I know the safest way is not to use it but I may need to.
Click to expand...

It's against their terms to not offer paypal, not sure what their view is on cash on collection but you can certainly get away with it. My house mates have sold plenty of stuff with people paying when they collect.
 
I sold an expensive item yesterday cash on collection. Easy. If it's a lot though, I would advise getting one of those counterfeit pens just to make sure you're not being stiffed with dodgy notes.
 
ShortWarning said:
Me too and also saying in the listing "I will only sell to someone with x amount of feedback" is equally useless because it breaks ebays terms and conditions. You have to sell to anyone.

There is no way to protect yourself on ebay. You're always rolling the dice.
Click to expand...

You don't write it in the description lol.... it's an option when setting up your eBay advert.
 
Put a condom on your mouse?

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Don't sell valuable, sort after, or otherwise highly scammable objects. End of. Selling a smartphone: chances of getting scammed: quite high. Having a clear out and getting rid of grannies old wardrobes: chances of getting scammed: low to non existent. Common sense really.

Apart from that read the seller protection policy very carefully i.e. only send to verified paypal addresses and make sure you have a signature on delivery, etc.

If its really valuable and you really can't afford to lose it ads in the classifieds, facebook etc. And cash on collection only, no exceptions.
 
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Selling valuable items is a stressful nightmare, especially if selling overseas..

If you're new to selling on Paypal, they'll also impose a 21 day payment hold on any payments - but you'll still have to ship the goods, bearing in mind - if anything goes wrong you're completely at the mercy of Paypal, who are literally the biggest bunch of cowboys I've ever dealt with.

Basically.. if it's anything valuable I wouldn't bother with ebay or paypal - not just because the fees are extortionate, but because you can be shafted at any time, without warning, by the buyer, ebay or paypal.
 
Obtain proof of postage and ship with a tracked delivery so you can prove it arrived. Better still only sell cash on collection. If you make a sale in person do not accept PayPal. They can say item never arrived and no bit of signed paper will convince PayPal otherwise if the buyer decides to shaft you.
 
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