paypal-

Get tracking. Just get it. It's such a useful service it should be on every parcel.

PayPal has never caused me any trouble. I'm not the biggest user, but I believe the only way they could tell PayPal to reverse the payment is by contesting your item. If I understand it right, PayPal then contacts you to see if you're legit. If you are (probably by providing proof you've shipped the item), you're then clear.

I would believe it's buyer's responsibility to pay for insurance if they want it, for the very reason you listed. Once you ship the item out, your part of the transaction is done.

My biggest words to you would be ensure your address is right on PayPal. I had a little snafu last spring with an item IceCoast shipped to me being shipped to my old address because of PayPal not updating right. Just double check it.

thanks for the response guys

Originally posted by Skio25 What are you selling out of curiosity, or have you already found a buyer?

a lot of stuff in the classifieds.

Paypal is only safe when you are using it with ebay. If you get screwed paypal isn't going to do anything.

Paypal is great if you are using Ebay because the two companies have an agreement.  If you use Paypal to send or receive payments for stuff on a forum, you do so at your own risk.  I like using Paypal for my online purchases where available.  It makes it quicker and I don't have to put in my credit card info.

From my experience as buyer and seller both on and off ebay, paypal can only take the money back if the purchase is made through ebay, otherwise if you just send a person an invoice there is nothing the other person can do to get the money back

Try your best to ship to a confirmed paypal address only.  This way you know it's not a hacked paypal account and get f'd in the end.

Anywayyyyyy.... so when are we gonna meet for that board? :)

How not to get screwed using paypal.

If you are selling:

Never ship until payment clears

Make sure the paypal is verified

Email address and paypal email are the same

Shipping address should be same as above

ALWAYS TRACK / Insure

You can get some sort of notarized form or even use your bank if the transaction is sketchy.

The list is endless. I'm sure if you google it you can find even more ways.


Also one thing I have found is that if you really are concerned about it, stick it on ebay and have the buyer purchase it through there that way all parties are protected. I've never had a problem with doing this as a buyer.

I've been using PayPal since 2001 or so and have never had a problem.  I never even thought about some if the issues others have mentioned here and some of them make sense.  I might change some of my shipping habits based on what I've read. 

paypal will f you over no matter what even with a tracking number they dont give 2 shits about you   its all about the $$$$

i sent a 300 sweater w a tracking and everything confirmed the sweater arrived at the persons house even w a signature to get it and then he called paypal and said he never got it, i had to provide proof he got which i did w tracking num and his sig from when it was delivered paypal said that wasent enuff to get my $ back even though they told me thats all i needed

bottom line i was out 300 and lost all faith in ebay and paypal


try and sell on craigslist or kijjiji in your area where you can do face to face

My Sister uses Kijiji all the time and has worked out well for her. She like to buy and sell fish and Lizzards. The hard part is arranging a time to either deliver or for them to pick it up.
Some times people don't respond back after they say they are interested but at least you still have what you are selling.

Make sure you get tracking.

My advice is to be very clear what the terms of your agreement are when you send the invoice.  If you just send for "stuff" then you have no recourse if you get screwed.