Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Selling/Sold my MBP on Craigslist, have a Question/Concern re: Paypal

D

dsa420

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 23, 2007
440
14
So after fielding numerous emails from people claiming to want to buy my MBP, it appears I finally have found someone to purchase it. This guy seems a little bit sketchy in that his communication has been sporadic and cryptic at times.

He has agreed to pay via Paypal in advance of our meeting, am I at any risk after he submits payment via Paypal? I would assume he is using a credit card to pay me....
 
Personally, when I sell something on Craigslist, I accept Cash only, and meeting in person. So many scams on craigslist, and meeting in person and exchanging cash is best IMO.

With Paypal, he could be using a stolen CC, a stolen account, you just never know.
 
definite no from me, as the guy above said, cash flow, i need on time im talking bank roll, cash money baby, nothing else, id go as far as checking the actual bills. paypal covers you 2000 if you buy something and get screwed not if you sell something and get screwed, id say no show, be patient and some one with cash money will definitely pop up.
 
If you're already meeting him in person why not ask him to pay cash? I would avoid PayPal in your case, in addition to stolen accounts, credit card numbers the buyer might also do a "charge back" against the purchase if he/she pays with a credit card. More about charge backs : https://www.paypal.com/chargeback
 
Not to mention in case of a charge back you don't have proof of delivery.

According to PayPal sellers are NOT COVERED FOR SELLER PROTECTION for items picked up locally or delivered in person.

Link

I wouldn't do it if I were you unless you could get him to allow you to copy his drivers license.
 
The guy claimed he was "short on cash" earlier today thus wanted to pay via Paypal/credit card. Considering he is paying $1,500, its not an hard to sympathize with someone not having that much cash.

That said, I dont want to get screwed either, does anyone know if Google's payment system is any better?
 
I personally wouldn't risk it.. like other's have said he could do a charge back or something similar. Ask him to pay you in cash for your 100% guaranteed protection.
 
dsa420 said:
The guy claimed he was "short on cash" earlier today thus wanted to pay via Paypal/credit card. Considering he is paying $1,500, its not an hard to sympathize with someone not having that much cash.

That said, I dont want to get screwed either, does anyone know if Google's payment system is any better?
Click to expand...

Tell'em to use an ATM then.. he might be trying to avoid the fee's associated with that but I doubt it'll break his bank.
 
dsa420 said:
The guy claimed he was "short on cash" earlier today thus wanted to pay via Paypal/credit card. Considering he is paying $1,500, its not an hard to sympathize with someone not having that much cash.

That said, I dont want to get screwed either, does anyone know if Google's payment system is any better?
Click to expand...

Tell him to get a money order from the USPS. He can use a credit card to purchase one.
 
I personally like the copy of the ID idea, that maybe couple with a quick letter I could draft up saying he purchased it and for how much, etc. Also I could take a picture or two, that is if I dont get mugged in the process.
 
Completely agreed, I have opted to not go through with this transaction. Much better to take a little less $$$ by selling on Ebay than to get scammed and get nothing..

Thanks everyone for talking me out of almost doing something stupid!
 
thegoldenmackid said:
As long as he is willing to meet locally and you don't mind the fees. Paypal seems like a positive... Protection, etc.
Click to expand...

uh no

paypal can be used to scam people easily

dsa420 said:
I personally like the copy of the ID idea, that maybe couple with a quick letter I could draft up saying he purchased it and for how much, etc. Also I could take a picture or two, that is if I dont get mugged in the process.
Click to expand...

once again....CASH ONLY
 
dsa420 said:
Completely agreed, I have opted to not go through with this transaction. Much better to take a little less $$$ by selling on Ebay than to get scammed and get nothing..

Thanks everyone for talking me out of almost doing something stupid!
Click to expand...

There's nothing wrong with CL if you know what to look for in a buyer, and accept cash only. I use CL for bigger ticket items all the time, when shipping is a problem or the Ebay/PayPal fees would be too high.

1. all caps/bad English emails, weird demands, odd payment plans = move on. too many legit buyers out there to bother with these.

2. ask the buyer for a link to his/her ebay feedback, or a forum they belong to, or any sort of verifiable online presence. good netizens make good customers.

3. google their email address. if it's coolmacguy46@aol.com, and nothing comes up, search for coolmacguy46 without the aol.com...you'd be surprised at the amount of info you can find on a person this way if their handle isn't too generic.
 
way too many paypal scams out there, if using CL definitely CASH ONLY, for real man do not get urself screwed, otherwise we'll be seeing a "omg I got scammed on CL" post in a few days

for real man, cover your ass!!!! cash only, or like the other guys said USPS money order, & cash it immediately, he can use CC & u dont' get scammed


good luck :)
 
Paypal offers the seller absolutely zero protection from a scammer that knows what they are doing. The Seller Protection does not cover "Item Not As Described" when purchased with a credit card.

And contrary to what others have suggested, you cannot purchase a USPS Money Order with a credit card. You can use a debit card, but most debit cards have limits under $1,000. And if the buyer is cash-strapped, a debit card would not help the situation.
 
CASH ONLY. I can already tell you how this is going to go down:

You'll get the funds via paypal.
You and the individual will meet up.
You exchange the computer with a written note + copy of his ID, you both sign.
Five hours later he has issued a chargback through his CC (not paypal) and the funds are instantly reversed from your account with the burdon of proof on you. Claim? Non delivery.
You show proof, joe says its not him.
Paypal will more than likely side with the buyer especially if they file a fraud charge with their CC.

If you insist on being hard headed make sure that you have in-ebay communication (like using the internal messaging system linked to the item) stating the date time location and name of the persion you are going to make the trade with then ensure you get them to sign a note stating you are turning it over, sign and date that with their drivers license #.
 
Cash only.

I've sold computers on craigslist myself, and I've also heard the sob stories, and the scam stories (living abroad, need to send the computer their relative blah blah blah)

Anyways, go with your first instincts, you mentioned that it sounds sketchy. Why go with the sale then? Who cares if this guy cannot afford to by the computer in cash, that's not your problem. There are others out there on craigslist that will deal with cash.
 
Craiglist ???

IN PERSON ????

CASH ONLY !!!!!!

Sorry but I am an anti-Paypal person !!!!!

Oh and stop at the store and get one of those money testing pens!!!!! :D
 
Eddyisgreat said:
CASH ONLY. I can already tell you how this is going to go down:

You'll get the funds via paypal.
You and the individual will meet up.
You exchange the computer with a written note + copy of his ID, you both sign.
Five hours later he has issued a chargback through his CC (not paypal) and the funds are instantly reversed from your account with the burdon of proof on you. Claim? Non delivery.
You show proof, joe says its not him.
Paypal will more than likely side with the buyer especially if they file a fraud charge with their CC.

If you insist on being hard headed make sure that you have in-ebay communication (like using the internal messaging system linked to the item) stating the date time location and name of the persion you are going to make the trade with then ensure you get them to sign a note stating you are turning it over, sign and date that with their drivers license #.
Click to expand...


READ THE ABOVE ......

BELIEVE IT !!!!!!!!!

LIVE BY IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

PAYPAL is becoming a haven for SCAMMERS !!!!!!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back