PayPal Security

[Tecora]

I read these forums basically everyday, and I see many of you are internet consumer savvy. This post is regarding the security of PayPal. I've found a seller on Craigslist that claims he has some "wholesale" PS3's for $300. Without going off topic about console wars, could anyone more experienced explain the secureness of PayPal as I don't want to get scammed. is there a way that the seller and buyer are secure in both recieving their end of the bargain? I've never used PayPal and I'm sure many of you guys have. Also, any advice on making this purchase secure would be greatly appreciated. I know the rule of thumb is "if its too good to be true then it probably is", but if I can find a no-risk way of going about this it might work out well for me.

Thanks a lot for any insight :D

[Slapper]

If you buy shit from Craigslist you should only buy pick up only items.

[Remyo]

I read these forums basically everyday, and I see many of you are internet consumer savvy. This post is regarding the security of PayPal. I've found a seller on Craigslist that claims he has some "wholesale" PS3's for $300. Without going off topic about console wars, could anyone more experienced explain the secureness of PayPal as I don't want to get scammed. is there a way that the seller and buyer are secure in both recieving their end of the bargain? I've never used PayPal and I'm sure many of you guys have. Also, any advice on making this purchase secure would be greatly appreciated. I know the rule of thumb is "if its too good to be true then it probably is", but if I can find a no-risk way of going about this it might work out well for me.

Thanks a lot for any insight :D

craigslist is mainly for local transactions where you meet face to face with cash exchange. paypal is not a bank just a middleman you can't be sure they will send you the PS3.

[Clipse]

I personally would never buy anything from Craigslist unless I could make a face-to-face transaction. As for PayPal protection, I think they would only cover you if you were a victim of a fraudulent eBay auction, but I could be mistaken.

[Keno]

PayPal is secure for the buyer only. You always have the option of chargeback through your credit card if he doesn't ship your item or if he sends you something other than you agreed to. He'd really be the one at risk, but do you want to risk tying your $300 up in legal battle for a few months? The rule about craigslist is generally meet in person or don't do it.

[Skyylya]

PayPal is secure for the buyer only. You always have the option of chargeback through your credit card if he doesn't ship your item or if he sends you something other than you agreed to. He'd really be the one at risk, but do you want to risk tying your $300 up in legal battle for a few months? The rule about craigslist is generally meet in person or don't do it.

This is half true.

There is protection on Paypal, but it is VERY limited for both the buyer and the seller. The buyer as Keno said can basically do a chargeback any time he wants to and paypal will immediately put a hold on the funds while they 'conduct an investigation' in which case they will contact the seller and ask if you've sent the goods and after hearing from you they will attempt to contact the buyer to ask if they recieved them.

If the buyer who did the chargeback decides to just....not answer then paypal will assume that the good were never recieved and give them their money back, and you'll have the negative balance in your paypal account until such a time as you pay it off, or the buyer confirms the transaction was completed.

The ONLY time paypal will rule in favor of the seller or really give the seller any chance what-so-ever to protect themselves is if you are shipping an item where a signature confirmation is required by the buyer on delivery, so that you as the seller can produce physical evidence that the goods were recieved.

For people that sell things on paypal, there is NO protection for you for selling stuff that isn't real, or selling information since it is impossible for you to produce physical evidence and are at the mercy of the buyer.

Generally speaking, paypal is not safe in the slightest and unless you have no other choice would I recommend using it to recieve money. However, if you are the buyer then you're pretty safe as long as you pay by credit card because you can ALWAYS do a chargeback.

[Shuemue]

http://www.paypalsucks.com/

Everything you need to know about paypal (real website)

[Nightbreed]

Through Craigslist like others said just stick to face to face transactions.

[Norelco]

I'd hold off until you can find a hot chick who will sell you the $300 PS3 and is also a Furry. :D

+10 points if you know what I'm referring to

[Titanss]

http://www.paypalsucks.com/

Everything you need to know about paypal (real website)

yup pretty much

[Groovebox]

I'd hold off until you can find a hot chick who will sell you the $300 PS3 and is also a Furry. :D

+10 points if you know what I'm referring to

Entourage ftw

[Iono]

Groove, ur sig wayyy too fast!

[Kerberoz]

On Paypal the buyer basically has all the power, as its extremely difficult to dispute a chargeback and win. They side with the buyer 99% of the time. I'd say you're pretty safe, but since craigslist is supposed to be local you're best off just arranging to meet the seller in person.

[Tecora]

I'd prefer to meet this guy in person but hes in Cleveland (I'm near Baltimore/Philly). However from what I've read, being the buyer I'm pretty safe and if this guy follows through with contact information etc. I could get myself a low-risk well priced console... I guess we'll see what happens