Can you get scamed using paypal?

[kthompson]

Have some JD planters for sale on Craigslist and had person first text me and but asked could we communicate via email which was fine. He ask a few simple questions on the planters and is wanting to buy them using paypal. I have no experience with paypal but the sale seems odd. He wants to buy them as surprise for his son who does some farming. His son is 350 miles from me. He seems to have no concern about shipping as his mover will pick up the planters and get bill of sale and inspect the planters. I have been told I would be safe with paypal but I have no idea if fact or fiction.

Unless he really knows planters he sure failed to ask questions I would have or maybe he knows nothing meaning he does not know what to ask. My concern is can you get scammed using paypal?

 

[bunyip]

I know as a buyer you are safe but your opening line looks familiar, we sell horses from time to time and one came in 'I saw your ad and I am willing to pay what you ask, I am at sea at the moment but can arrange a truck to pick up when transaction is complete etc etc etc'.
As a seller I am not sure where you stand but that message is ringing alarm bells for me, I could be wrong but.......

 

[flyerdan]

Do a google search of "craigslist scams + shippers". I'd probably pass on this unless you haven't had any local interest, then possibly proceed with extreme caution.

 

[screamin400]

yes you can. steer clear. Paypal will allow a return up to 180 days now and take the money from your acct. You know the saying. If it sounds.... Run

 

[nybirdman]

Smells fishy.No ,no ,no.

 

[jajiu]

I have sold a lot of things on CL and what you are describing is definitely a fishing scam. I can usually smell them out and usually just ignore them. Only take cash when someone comes to pick them up, NO SHIPPING. There are a lot of scammers out there and I have been hit twice and been able to squelch them so I lost nothing but time and anxiety. I am much more careful now.

 

[Oldtink]

Yea, I smell a faint odor of fish. Go with your gut. If I'm buying a used piece of equipment, I sure wouldn't rely on the transport company to be the judge as to whether it was worth my money to purchase it.

 

[RNeumann]

yes you can. steer clear. Paypal will allow a return up to 180 days now and take the money from your acct. You know the saying. If it sounds.... Run

This is the problem with PayPal. They pull the funds out of your account as soon as the buyer complains. And trying to talk to an English first language person, or anyone else for that matter, at PayPal is a joke. Try giving PayPal a call a decide for yourself if they are a good outfit to do business with.

Not to be political but PayPal has placed limits on what they will do transactions for. That has turned some off.

As the buyer to have the delivery driver bring cash. The seller is already trusting the driver to inspect the product- they should be able to trust them with the funds too.

 

[ning]

My understanding is that paypal is safe for buyers, but not quite safe for sellers.
Personally, I avoid it if at all possible, and would not sell anything large using it.

 

[Jchonline]

Absolutely for no reason should you take anything other than cash for craigslist transactions. I also always want to see the buyer. If possible meet at a public place so they do not know your address. If they come to my house (item too big, etc), I have a plan for a potential robbery. There are lots of great folks out there, and I find nothing but good selling experiences with Craigslist. However there are nightmare stories. Better to be prepared!

I only use PayPal for eBay. I do NOT link my bank account. In fact I have an expired credit card linked to my account.

To me, PayPal= Play money. I keep enough in the account with sales so that I can buy what I want with it.

 

[PILOON]

I agree with much said.
PayPal seems to side with buyers more than the seller.
Over some 7-800 transactions I got only 1 negative from a buyer.
I had stated all conditions with a careful description of the product and shipped to the US from Canada.
Buyer was all upset because a broker charged him some fees and negged me.

As I buyer I got a few refunds but then the seller needs to have a credit balance for them to do so. If he empties his PayPal acct routinely you can be the loser.
The safer fallback is to use PayPal via a CC as that gives U a backup system.
PayPal uses strict deadlines to limit their exposure which often shipping delays can cancel out your time frame.
You really have to stay on top of things.

 

[kthompson]

Thanks a few thousand...My gut told me somehow this is a scam. I will send him message to have mover bring cash. My attorney told me the same thing late today.

 

[kthompson]

Offered him to have his mover just pay me cash and I will have signed bill of sale. Suggest we do this at my bank less then 10 minutes away with driver handing money to bank teller and bank signing as witness and notarize the bill of sale after he has inspected and loaded the planters.

He said he has used this person/company for years and they will not move till the deal is sealed.... Thanks for each recommendation. I am fully convinced he is a scam. His english was good. He used a very common names for his first and last name with a 336 area code number on line that texted to me.

 

[Oldtink]

Way to go KT, good call. Remember the old Amish saying, A bird in hand is worth more than one in the bush.:thumbsup:

 

[kthompson]

Way to go KT, good call. Remember the old Amish saying, A bird in hand is worth more than one in the bush.:thumbsup:

I like Troy's saying on Swamp People also: "Shoot em Liz" (Please understand this is not to be taken serious.)

 

[lennyzx11]

One scam is that by using their mover(shipper), they can say they never received the merchandise.
Once the items are picked up (by the shipper), they then have it rerouted or not even delivered.
File a complaint with PayPal and get the money tied up while YOU try to figure out where the "missing" shipment went.

Try calling that 336 number from a public or blocked phone. I doubt you'll get an answer.

Cash only for Craigslist. Always. Can meet at their or your bank to deposit the money immediately if one of you have a concern and/or buy your own money order for transport.

No way. No how. No reason to ever not take cash.

Though I do like a good trade/barter every now and then, I'm hesitant unless the deal is written up and signed.

I've been burnt on vehicles and boats and motors with titles before across state lines so now it's my choice to meet people at title/tag office to transfer ownership because of the headaches.

I buy quite a bit from Craigslist and travel a lot so get to see and hear all kinds of buying selling shipping scams from different locales using it.

 

[sandman2234]

I used to suggest to my daughter that she always meet Craigslist people at one of our local Police Substations. Just a little less likely for things to go bad. Banks aren't always open but that substation is.
David from jax

 

[MossRoad]

Our local police departments have meeting zones where you can meet to buy/steel/trade at the police station in a well-lit and videod area.

 

[flyerdan]

I did do a craigslist/Paypal sale a few years ago, before the scammers became prevalent. I'd listed a T-40 Toyota transmission, and the only serious* response I got was from a guy in Socal that really needed it, as they are fairly rare. After several emails, I got the shipping costs figured and he paid, I shipped and everything was fine. I hadn't wanted to ship, which is why I didn't list in on ebay, but it worked out okay.

* I did get one guy that called needing a box for a fwd Tercel, and wondered if he could "somehow make it work." Yeah, maybe if you have an aluminum foundry and complete machine shop.