Selling a phone

oldestgregg · 10 May 2017 at 16:26

As the title says, I am selling a phone on Gumtree. A woman has asked if I can send it to her and she pay by Paypal however I always like people to collect stuff I sell as that way they can see it working. Would I be correct in thinking if she pays via friends and family the money cannot be reclaimed through Paypal?

Steeps · 10 May 2017 at 16:31

Face to face, cash in hand. Don't risk it.

The IPB · 10 May 2017 at 16:33

Face to face always. I'm sure it could be legit, but I wouldn't risk it personally.

LOAM · 10 May 2017 at 16:33

Throw phone in bin and burn £100, cut out the hassle of posting it.

Glanza · 10 May 2017 at 16:35

Even Gumtree state only trade face to face with cash.

Heisenberg · 10 May 2017 at 16:37

I'm pretty sure there's no way she could claim back from PayPal if she pays via friends and family?

The IPB · 10 May 2017 at 16:38

It could be a hacked account, then paypal take the money back and you're left with no phone and no money.

SC0TTRS · 10 May 2017 at 16:41

I had a very similar request from a guy in London yesterday.

First he wanted me to ship it to him, then he'll pay.

After I laughed and said prefer cash up front he then offered to pay via Paypal.

I said yea fine, but you'll have to pay via friends and family and you'll have to trust me to ship it too you.

Didn't hear back from him. :rolleyes:

oldestgregg · 10 May 2017 at 16:58

To be fair to her she has offered to pay it friends and family and is fine in doing so.

Surely it cannot be "re-claimed" using that method?

Yas786 · 10 May 2017 at 18:22

As it's been said numerous times, face to face and cash only.

It's up to u if u want to take the chance on her paying by PayPal and u shipping it out to her. It might be a hacked account so something to think about.

pepp77 · 10 May 2017 at 18:26

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5...y-Payment-for-a-goods-transaction/td-p/942271

oldestgregg · 10 May 2017 at 20:34

Yas786 said:
As it's been said numerous times, face to face and cash only.

It's up to u if u want to take the chance on her paying by PayPal and u shipping it out to her. It might be a hacked account so something to think about.

Fair enough. Out of curiosity what would happen if it were a hacked account?

Teknobry · 10 May 2017 at 20:47

she keeps the phone, you don't keep the money.

oldestgregg · 12 May 2017 at 00:28

Teknobry said:
she keeps the phone, you don't keep the money.

Well, as tempting as that sounds I will give it a miss. Looked into it and "her" email is lacking in the English department and "shes" called Viviane Smith!

mrk · 12 May 2017 at 01:12

This is the oldest scam in the book, and there isn't even a book. Surprised it took this long to come to senses

oldestgregg · 12 May 2017 at 02:39

mrk said:
This is the oldest scam in the book, and there isn't even a book. Surprised it took this long to come to senses

I decided a while ago bud. To be fair,over the last year or so Ive sold a few things over Gumtree and posted them. You can usually get a good judge of someone through a phonecall or two and its never been expensive things really. Sold a new 3ds xl before Christmas for £180 that went well and if they ask if I can post I take a deposit and wait a week after explaining I would rather meet up. I know its risky but that kind lessens the risk a bit.

mrk · 12 May 2017 at 08:34

Problem is selling any high value item on Gumtree, and specifically stating phone/in person only, makes no difference. you always get the people who text or email asking if you'll post, or that they are buying for their son who is off fighting a war somewhere and wants to surprise them, and if you'd post it if they cover additional shipping costs via PayPal!!!

You can tell when someone is having it on right away due to the above.

diamount · 12 May 2017 at 09:41

Heisenberg said:
I'm pretty sure there's no way she could claim back from PayPal if she pays via friends and family?

Doesn't mean squat if the account is stolen. If you want to use Paypal and be (relatively) safe use ebay, Gumtree is for face to face transactions only.

jpaul · 29 May 2017 at 10:36

In a similar situation as original poster

If you create a paypal business account is that a protected way to sell goods that someone saw on gumtree and wants to be shipped
it allows you to issue an email invoice to the buyer , that they pay by paypal, cost seems to be 3.4%+20p per transaction
(further details https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security)
the costs are significantly less than ebay at 10% per transaction

am I missing soemthing ?

Caged · 29 May 2017 at 11:12

"Guys am I OK to do this thing that often leaves people out of pocket?""
"No definitely don't, cash only and face-to-face"
"OK I've had a chat with the buyer and they are happy to use PayPal friends and family"
"No don't do it, face to face and cash only"
"Thanks for your help but I think I'll do it anyway"

A few weeks pass

"Halp me I've been scammed on Gumtree and have no idea how it happened!"