eBay sale...
Posted by: RoyleBlue on 02 March 2008
...how safe is a bank transfer as the buyer (0 feedback) wants to pay this way?
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by Polarbear
Question is, are you prepared to give you bank details to someone you don't know with no trading history?
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by JWM
As the eBay guidelines themselves say, bank transfer is NOT advisable, full stop.
The most secure way is someone to give you cash in the hand! But as this is not entirely practical in every case (and you may not want strangers visiting your house anyway), the next best option is PayPal, even if some people have expressed occasional doubts, though I have never experienced any problems buying or selling.
Even with PayPal, make sure you have confirmation of cleared funds before mailing item. You might need to put this on your item description, so that potential buyers know there may be a slight delay in mailing.
At the very least I would have thought this precautionary approach is worthwhile for any higher value items you are selling - and you decide the threshold for what you consider higher value.
James
The most secure way is someone to give you cash in the hand! But as this is not entirely practical in every case (and you may not want strangers visiting your house anyway), the next best option is PayPal, even if some people have expressed occasional doubts, though I have never experienced any problems buying or selling.
Even with PayPal, make sure you have confirmation of cleared funds before mailing item. You might need to put this on your item description, so that potential buyers know there may be a slight delay in mailing.
At the very least I would have thought this precautionary approach is worthwhile for any higher value items you are selling - and you decide the threshold for what you consider higher value.
James
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by RoyleBlue
Cheers chaps - I had put in the listing that the item would be sent once funds cleared (£355!!), had not mentioned accepting bank transfers, and have now sent a polite email to the buyer asking for another form of payment.
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by Chalshus
Why not use Paypal?
It's free and all can use it.
It's free and all can use it.
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by 555
It's not free when you receive money & some say PayPal Sucks.
Posted on: 02 March 2008 by RoyleBlue
quote:Originally posted by Christian Alshus:
Why not use Paypal?
It's free and all can use it.
I do use PayPal, but obviously the 0 feedback buyer does not.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by Bob McC
Be very, very careful of PayPal. Horror stories abound of recipients claiming goods didn't arrive and paypal whipping funds out of sellers' accounts. Since they moved out of the UK and away from UK regulation I don't use them anymore. I believe cheques are safer now since the banking rules regarding clearing of cheques was changed last year.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by Guido Fawkes
quote:Since they moved out of the UK and away from UK regulation I don't use them anymore.
Very very very sensible advice IMHO - I would certainly not use them.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by JWM
quote:Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
Horror stories abound of recipients claiming goods didn't arrive.
Surely a simple precaution against this is to sell only to UK and use a trackable recorded delivery? Incorporate the cost of this into your postage fee.
As a potential buyer, personally I would not be happy sending a cheque to someone I don't know.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by TomK
quote:Originally posted by RoyleBlue:quote:Originally posted by Christian Alshus:
Why not use Paypal?
It's free and all can use it.
I do use PayPal, but obviously the 0 feedback buyer does not.
I've used Paypal to pay on many occasions with no problems. I've never been a seller though.
However, I'd say that 0 feedback and unwilling to use Paypal = don't touch with a barge pole.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by RoyleBlue
The buyer has now paid via. PayPal, and has a confirmed address - sounds a tad better now.
Posted on: 03 March 2008 by TomK
Good news but still be careful. I just bought an item and the Paypal payment appeared to complete ok so the item has now been sent. However because of network problems that day the payment was done as a direct debit from my bank account rather than my credit card and as I'd not set up the appropriate direct debit mandate it's been knocked back. I've sorted it all out but my seller still hasn't confirmed he's been paid so he's now thinking he's dealing with a con artist.