Direct Paypal instead of through eBay: Safe?

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Buying an item from a seller with a load of good feedback, and he's offered to take the payment directly though PayPal instead of eBay, saving him a load of fees, which means he will accept a lower best offer price, so we both benefit.

Do you still get the same protection as you would buying using eBay all the way? It's a £500 item, so I'm being overly cautious.

Thanks

 

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Thanks guys.. But please tell me why I shouldn't. No buyer protection? Less buyer protection?

 

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If you pay for it as goods I don't see why it would make a difference as you still get buyer protection for exactly the same amount.

The difficulty would be in proving something was not as described if it was outside of eBay because they have no advert to go on.......

I can't see the problem myself. It'll be like paying for something from someone on a forum etc. As long as you pay with goods/services and not gift it, you will have protection from PayPal.

That is exactly what the seller advised me, and I said I'd research before deciding.