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Notice I wrote I have safeguards in place. I don't have a checking account linked and I'll cancel the CC on file so they can't dip into that either. PayPal isn't a lending institution so they have no real power to collect, but they can threaten. I'll just contest the debt as not valid, but I seriously doubt they'll sic collections on me in an obvious case of a bad buyer (which I'll have evidence of to file a counterclaim).

What I described has happened to some very long time reputable sellers on eBay. It's sad but true although not common. If you sell many items over many years chances are you will get ripped off at some point but that is the cost of doing business like any business. This isn't a reason to quit selling on eBay but just to know it can happen. I only say this from my own experience and many others. I was really shocked that you don't really have the protection as a seller that they say you do. A buyer on the other hand...
 
What I described has happened to some very long time reputable sellers on eBay. It's sad but true although not common. If you sell many items over many years chances are you will get ripped off at some point but that is the cost of doing business like any business. This isn't a reason to quit selling on eBay but just to know it can happen. I only say this from my own experience and many others. I was really shocked that you don't really have the protection as a seller that they say you do. A buyer on the other hand...

Yes but that's because they didn't use the safeguards I'm using. The trick is to prevent PayPal from leaving you holding the bag in the very first place. My seller rating is apparently good enough for immediate release of the funds but once released, I have to spend all of it immediately. Can't just transfer it as I have no linked account. So, yes, I have to time my big purchases along with selling but I only ebay 1-2 iPhones each year. Not so easy to do if you ebay on a regular basis like many ebay sellers.
 
Not true especially if buyer files a credit card dispute. PayPal will then say it's out of their hands. Even if you prove delivered a buyer can claim nothing in the package or not as described. I know this from selling on eBay for over 12 years. There usually aren't issues but you are always taking a risk. In the end there really isn't true seller protection from either eBay or PayPal. On their forums you will find some real horror stories from long time reputable sellers getting ripped off for large sums of money.

Paypal Seller Protection Policy overrides credit card chargebacks (Paypal takes the loss) if you can prove that the item was shipped as described. Happened to me; buyer used a stolen credit card, had to prove that I shipped it, Paypal accepted my claim.

That being said, I will try and avoid any and all eBay and Paypal transactions because of their "guilty until proven innocent" attitude. You basically have to sit in anticipation for 90 days after a transaction, hoping you didn't get scammed.

It's hilarious that it has gotten to the point where I'd rather risk being murdered on Craigslist and get cash than deal with eBay/Paypal.
 
Yes but that's because they didn't use the safeguards I'm using. The trick is to prevent PayPal from leaving you holding the bag in the very first place. My seller rating is apparently good enough for immediate release of the funds but once released, I have to spend all of it immediately. Can't just transfer it as I have no linked account. So, yes, I have to time my big purchases along with selling but I only ebay 1-2 iPhones each year. Not so easy to do if you ebay on a regular basis like many ebay sellers.

Ultimately there are no 100% safe guards. I wouldn't have ever believed this myself until I had an issue with a buyer that filed a credit card dispute even though the item was exactly as described and they didn't request a return. I had already removed the money out of my PayPal but it put it but my account negative and I had no choice but to put money back in to cover it to keep my account from being closed.

PayPal offers no protection with a credit card dispute not to say you can't ripped off with a direct dispute to eBay or PayPal. I'm not trying to make anyone paranoid about selling on eBay or try to discourage it. I do it all the time and have had few issues. These are just the unfortunate truths and risks you take selling. Once again I would think this was BS until it happened to me and found out I wasn't alone by any means. That's all I have to say :)
 
Bought the white and SG with the intent to return the one I didn't like. After trying it on in the store, the SG was the clear winner. I can wait a couple of weeks for the watch I actually want, rather than wearing and devaluing the white one for 3 weeks.

Yup, forgot PayPal fee-- that was $17.96. Or a 3% fee. Not sure where people are getting their eBay fee information, but for almost every item under $7500, except for cars and property, the fee is 10% of the final sale price.

I would rather have an Apple Watch than be $123 richer.
 
Ultimately there are no 100% safe guards. I wouldn't have ever believed this myself until I had an issue with a buyer that filed a credit card dispute even though the item was exactly as described and they didn't request a return. I had already removed the money out of my PayPal but it put it but my account negative and I had no choice but to put money back in to cover it to keep my account from being closed.

PayPal offers no protection with a credit card dispute not to say you can't ripped off with a direct dispute to eBay or PayPal. I'm not trying to make anyone paranoid about selling on eBay or try to discourage it. I do it all the time and have had few issues. These are just the unfortunate truths and risks you take selling. Once again I would think this was BS until it happened to me and found out I wasn't alone by any means. That's all I have to say :)

Again, you wanted to cling to that account. In my case, I'd ditch it entirely and leave it negative. I can always open a new account in my wife's name. That's my safeguard.

I actually closed a PayPal account some years ago because we had reached the $10,000 lifetime spending limit before linking to a checking account is absolutely required. I opened a new one and if they're still enforcing that lifetime spending limit I'll just repeat the process.
 
If the account is negative by a large amount they will try to collect and it will effect your credit score by I hear what you are saying.
 
If the account is negative by a large amount they will try to collect and it will effect your credit score by I hear what you are saying.

Yeah, that's why I limit my ebaying to year old iPhones and not a brand new $1000 link bracelet. I seriously doubt they'll sic collections on me in a true buyer fraud for amounts under $1000. However, one can always dispute the debt as not valid regardless of the amount.
 
Notice I wrote I have safeguards in place. I don't have a checking account linked and I'll cancel the CC on file so they can't dip into that either. PayPal isn't a lending institution so they have no real power to collect, but they can threaten. I'll just contest the debt as not valid, but I seriously doubt they'll sic collections on me in an obvious case of a bad buyer (which I'll have evidence of to file a counterclaim).

And you won't be able to sell on eBay again unless you change your name and address.
 
Don't care. I'd rather lose my perfect seller rating than be left holding the bag. I can always use my wife's account for the occasional ebaying.

Maybe not if you use the same address. Happened to a friend of mine - a reliable seller with a brick and mortar store. When she tried to open a new account with her husband's name Paypal turned it down. Maybe you'd be okay with an already established account.
 
I know someone tha tried to open another account in his wife's name after an issue and was unable to do so.
 
Prefer Gumtree these days, no fees and face to face sales, cash in hand.

This.

I already have a guy my brother works with offering me £500 for my Sport when it arrives tomorrow. I'm not going to sell but if I had a spare it'd be to someone I l know or on Gumtree whereby they come to me, with cash.
 
I sold my Apple Watch 42 stainless steel sports band for $1100. I purchased two. Any idea if this was a good price? I shipped it on 4/24- I dont see many listed for shipping now, mostly pre-orders.
 
I just saw a Sport Edition for $2500.. Unreal..

That's simply the seller's asking price, which is completely meaningless since nobody is paying that. If you see one that ended for that much, it's a bogus bid and the buyer is not paying.
 
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