Paying for private sale by Paypal

Paying for private sale by Paypal

Author
Discussion

STURBO

Original Poster:

319 posts

159 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

I know it's not recommended to take paypal payments for a car sale as buyer can cancel payment later.

But I'm considering buying a used car unseen on ebay. Buyer wants payment by paypal at end of auction, but before collection as I cannot collect for a couple of days.

From my point of view am I protected if it turns out dodgy? Looks mostly legit, but you can never be too sure.


Cheers



ols

118 posts

134 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Unless the car is sold under "for spares or repair", I would imagine that you are protected under ebay buyer protection. I am unsure what protection (if any) that Paypal themselves offer on purchases. Another option would be to pay with a credit card if you can, as then I think you would be covered by both ebay and your credit card company should things go arse upwards...

sausage76

350 posts

122 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
How much money involved?

I wouldn't pay the full amount and only a deposit and rest when you pick up. If they aren't happy with that then I'd look elsewhere

JimmyConwayNW

3,056 posts

124 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Deposit on end of auction cash on collection or bank transfer once you have seen the car.

If it's all as described a reasonable seller should be happy with that.

951TSE

600 posts

156 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Paypal's buyer protection specifically EXCLUDES car purchases.

https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/useragree...

scroll down to subsection 4,a,iii

So as others say the only really safe way is as if you were a Seller, deposit via PP and balance once the vehicle is inspected.

ETA - It's never really been Ebays buyer / seller protection. It's always been Paypals, it's just something Ebay offer as part and parcel of using Paypal.



Edited by 951TSE on Sunday 14th December 20:22

STURBO

Original Poster:

319 posts

159 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks everyone. It's going to be about £3k.

Does seem strange that they want it all by paypal as they'll have more fees that way.

I'll offer a deposit by paypal and walk away if that's not on.

Cheers


anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
No, No, No!

Why risk it??

Just give the guy cash when you collect it!
If he gets stroppy over it just tell him you are think he's a scammer and that he can have cash on collection or you are walking away.

A friend of mine has just been ripped off for £400 via Paypal after buying a motorbike engine that was allegedly for sale. (advert was a 'Breaking for spares - email with what parts you want' type advert on ebay)

I told him not to and now he is £400 down and with no engine and a seller that is not responding to any more emails.

When will people learn??

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
As above.

You'll have to meet the seller to collect the car, so wait until that point before handing over *any* money. And trust your gut instinct, it's usually correct.

If he gets demonstrative about the deposit, walk away. He's asking a lot of you; firstly to trust him the vehicle is as described and worth the amount agreed; secondly that it's not going to implode 600 yards down the road and thirdly to pay a few hundred for an item you haven't seen in person.

Imagine if you get there and the car is not what's expected; he's already got a nice stash of your money and may try to wriggle out of returning all or some of it. 'Nah mate, I definitely did say non-refundable....'


balls-out

3,586 posts

230 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
STURBO said:
Hi,

I know it's not recommended to take paypal payments for a car sale as buyer can cancel payment later.

But I'm considering buying a used car unseen on ebay. Buyer wants payment by paypal at end of auction, but before collection as I cannot collect for a couple of days.

From my point of view am I protected if it turns out dodgy? Looks mostly legit, but you can never be too sure.


Cheers
2 days to collect seems a reasonable period, unless the listing was explicit about needing fast collection.
Let him wait.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
No fking way should you pay in advance. Ebay cars - I'd treat it the same as a private sale without the haggle. ie - IF as described, hand over the money. If it's not - walk. You can't walk if you've PP'd your money across.

Rovinghawk

13,300 posts

157 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
Old saying- if in doubt, there is no doubt.

jjr1

3,023 posts

259 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
Phil303 said:
If he gets demonstrative about the deposit, walk away.
PMSL at your use of 'demonstrative'. So you mean if he offers you a cuddle?

STURBO

Original Poster:

319 posts

159 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
OK, cheers everyone, not going to pay anything now up front.

Cheers.

Meoricin

2,880 posts

168 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
NinjaPower said:
No, No, No!

Why risk it??

Just give the guy cash when you collect it!
If he gets stroppy over it just tell him you are think he's a scammer and that he can have cash on collection or you are walking away.

A friend of mine has just been ripped off for £400 via Paypal after buying a motorbike engine that was allegedly for sale. (advert was a 'Breaking for spares - email with what parts you want' type advert on ebay)

I told him not to and now he is £400 down and with no engine and a seller that is not responding to any more emails.

When will people learn??
Surely your friend is going to get the money back, though - unless he did something foolish like going outside of ebay for the purchase, or sending the money as a gift.

RG63AMG

157 posts

123 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
Small deposit by paypal and if the cars ok when you see it bank transfer or cash if you have big mates to go with you.