Scam or Sale?

[Bill Bowman]

Received an offer for an item I have for sale here in classifieds. Offer is fair, and I'm thinking maybe yes. Buyer has been a member here for 7 years, but has never posted or started a thread.

Would you pass, or accept his Paypal and let it clear for several days. or,.......any better ideas???

 

[Scott r c]

Is he a Nigerian prince?

 

[Strouty]

Ask them to make some posts to prove they are human.

 

[cat06]

have him send you a check and send the item when the check clears

 

[Richard Cranium]

If it is a high dollar item make sure the check clears first.

 

[Bill Bowman]

I've asked him to at least post an introduction, telling a bit about himself and maybe location.

 

[mtwaterguy]

Why would you hold the item if he used paypal?

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have sold a few times to members like that, never had an issue and always used PayPal.

 

[Bill Bowman]

^^^^^^Can PayPal be revoked?

 

[Buckgnarly]

^^^^^^Can PayPal be revoked?

I think, but everything I send is through USPS shipping, which I always add (the number) to the PayPal or Ebay transaction as soon as I send it. With tracking on my side I have never had an issue.

 

[WWShop]

Isn't PayPal instant payment?

 

[laser3kw]

if I understand PayPal even a little, if they send you money for a purchase, they can contest it and withdraw payment after they receive the item (I'm sure there are a lot of rules). But if they send money to you as a "gift" then they can't take it back (again, I'm sure there are a lot of rules).
PayPay is Instant payment BUT they pay to your account and hold it for a certain period, in-which you can't withdraw against it. Again I don't know the specifics.

 

[DTE]

Why would you hold the item if he used paypal?

I was wondering the same thing

 

[Toolfool]

Paypal's objective is to protect the buyer first.

 

[jd_1138]

Isn't PayPal instant payment?

Yep, but there are about a gazillion ways a buyer can get their money back. Basically PayPal is just a middleman with no real power, so if a buyer makes a fuss with their financial institution about fraud, product misrepresentation, etc., the financial institution will pull the payment.

I'd be kinda leery about the person never posting. Might be a reader/lurker?

 

[Bill Bowman]

Buyer answered me back and declined to post anything. Done deal. He can buy his stuff from somebody else. Thanks guys.

 

[cgrutt]

Not sure I'm following why it would matter if he has posted anything? If he's been member for past 7 years and not posted why would he start now? If he pays the price you're willing to accept and the money clears why does it matter?

That said, generally, the buyer should be concerned if the seller is legit as the buyer needs to send payment before receiving anything in return. The seller on the other hand gets to hold the merchandise until payment has been received. What am I missing?

Not that it matters, but just curious.

 

[purplezr2]

I don't see the issue, they reads and buys, I did alot of that in my early days. I have sold to guys that only read.

How does posting make him more legit.

 

[Bill Bowman]

I guess if I don't have a good feeling about the deal, then passing is what I need to do.

 

[Hiball]

I have sold a few times to members like that, never had an issue and always used PayPal.

Welcome to 2016, as ****** as our world is, I don't get the whole lack of trust. I've had countless PayPal transactions here and abroad and have never been taken advantage of. I look at it this way, if as a seller you represent you product accordingly, follow the guidelines set forth from PayPal I feel you are pretty safe.

I know this post will be bombarded with story's of deception, losses totaling in the millions etc... As always, there are 2 sides to all stories.

 

[Strouty]

Not sure I'm following why it would matter if he has posted anything? If he's been member for past 7 years and not posted why would he start now? If he pays the price you're willing to accept and the money clears why does it matter?

That said, generally, the buyer should be concerned if the seller is legit as the buyer needs to send payment before receiving anything in return. The seller on the other hand gets to hold the merchandise until payment has been received. What am I missing?

Not that it matters, but just curious.

Could be a hijacked account, that happens on ebay as well. I think anyone that joins a forum and doesn't post is not a true member of the forum.

 

[Bill Bowman]

^^^Agreed.

 

[smokey0810]

Paypal kinda *****...Sold a car and some trim rings on ebay. The buyers got the items, and are currently using them. I still am waiting for the $$$ to be deposited from Paypal into my bank account. Sale on both was 2 weeks ago. Money is cleared, but took a while TO clear, then transfer to my bank. The assholes of the world have ruined life for the honest folks.

 

[coljar]

I guess if I don't have a good feeling about the deal, then passing is what I need to do.

I've trusted my gut most of the time and it has served me well. You smelled something and it didn't smell like roses. Smart move on your part.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I wouldn't bow out of a deal like that; 7 years has value; some view a lot of "community through posts" as having value too. Knowing whether to trust someone is tough to do.

That said, I'm alarmed at how people clutch to PayPal as if it has no risk.

 

[LXCam]

My best customers for my performance parts and builds where guys that weren't posters. Difference being there was always a face to face though. As for your deal, if he has a verified PayPal account, I'd say he's good to go. But then again, I'm with ya on the gut feeling thing.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have shipped things I had listed on Craigslist to PP verified buyers all over the country.
Always goods insured with delivery confirmation. Never a hiccup.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I wouldn't.

I know that having a 100+ posts isn't a guarantee that someone is legit and honest, but I've had scam incidents happen three times here on the GarageJournal.

Once I had a guy want to go in for half on a prybar BOGO deal. Once I sent him the Paypal invoice he flaked out and never posted again.

TWICE I've had members contact me trying to sell me a certain toolbox badge emblem that I displayed interest in. BOTH times they were from "members" who had set up a profile, didn't post or start a thread, and chose to contact me through E-MAIL instead of by a pm. When I told them I needed at least a picture as proof that they had the item, they both disappeared. These e-mails happened a year or so apart.

Just like Craigslist man, if you don't feel comfortable, don't do it.

If nothing else, see if the dude has feedback on eBay.

 

[HOTFR8]

Received an offer for an item I have for sale here in classifieds. Offer is fair, and I'm thinking maybe yes. Buyer has been a member here for 7 years, but has never posted or started a thread.

Would you pass, or accept his Paypal and let it clear for several days. or,.......any better ideas???

I've asked him to at least post an introduction, telling a bit about himself and maybe location.

Buyer answered me back and declined to post anything. Done deal. He can buy his stuff from somebody else. Thanks guys.

Please send me a PM about this person that has never posted as I would like to look into this.

I guess if I don't have a good feeling about the deal, then passing is what I need to do.

Wise move.

 

[NUTTSGT]

While the guyu could be legit and just a lurker, when all else fails, trust your gut. You didn't accept the deal, so you are out nothing.

Simon has made the offer to do what I would have done too. There are people that just don't like to post and others that try to stay in the shadows for a reason.

 

[Chaznsc]

Please send me a PM about this person that has never posted as I would like to look into this.



Wise move.

While the guyu could be legit and just a lurker, when all else fails, trust your gut. You didn't accept the deal, so you are out nothing.

Simon has made the offer to do what I would have done too. There are people that just don't like to post and others that try to stay in the shadows for a reason.

GJ has the most efficient moderators on the web. I appreciate the effort you guys make.

 

[Bill Bowman]

PM sent. Thanks for all you do.

 

[HOTFR8]

Due to the time delay I am looking into it now. Thanks for the PM with all the information.

Edited Note: Dealt with so will close this topic.