Zero bidder won a $900 item, is Paypal still safe?

Skinpinch

Hi. I just sold a card for $900 and unfortunately a zero feedback was the high bidder. That is the only item they have bid on, as they are new. They are not currently bidding on anything else. I talked on the phone with Paypal, and they say that even though they have a confirmed address, I can still get burned with a merchandise dispute from the credit card company. Paypal said a charge back could occur even six months from now, AND that they wouldn't even have to send the item back before they get the money reversed. Paypal says they can only fight this, but have no control over it.

The buyer paid within 20 minutes of the auction, and has responded to all my emails, but I am concerned since it is a good chunk of money. I myself have excellent feedback at 744. I ended up giving the buyer the chance to send a check or money order, and the option to back out of the deal if he wishes. Are my concerns legit? Am I being paranoid about the $900, or do I just send it and wait for six months hoping I don't get a charge back?

What are other recourses if the worst happened and I was out money? Would I have to take legal action and fight it, and track the guy down? What are the chances of that being successful, and how much would it cost me to do that? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
-skin

Caroncollector

Why don't you immeadiately withdrawl the funds from your paypal account.

pick6investments

hey man, if you were worried about that you should have stated it and not backtracked after auctions end. I think 99.99% you will be fine but it sounds to me like you have a guy who PAYS FAST and wish my deals went that smoothly.

Skinpinch

If I immediately withdraw from my funds, couldn't Paypal try and get it from my bank account? Could they also try and get it from my credit card then too?

Caroncollector

You should be safe...

Knopfler

Set up a separate checking account for Ebay/paypal, and only keep a minimal amount in that account. They can't take money from your credit card, and even if they could, that would be very easy to fight by having your credit card company dispute it.

PS I also just sold an $1100 item on Ebay to a zero feedback bidder who paid almost instantly with paypal. I shipped the item, left positive feedback as soon as I shipped the itme, and have had no problems. I did withdraw the fund from paypal right away though. Good luck.

iamthegreatcornholio

As far as PayPal is concerned simply purchase signature confirmation to prove that the guy gets the package. PayPal won't interfere because

<< <i>they will just call it a dispute over "quality of goods delivered" and tell you to work it out with the sellers >>

. Now, he could try to do a chargeback with his c/c, but if there's no money in your PayPal account there's nothing they can do - I don't think they can touch your bank account.

If you are this concerned you should add something to the effect of "bidders with 10 or more feedback only" to your future auctions.

Brian

envoy98

On chargebacks caused by disputes over arrival of merchandise paypal can and will go back after your account for the money, regardless of if you've withdrawn the money or not. If there is no "Seller Protection Policy" then it is possible. If however, you were paid, didn't ship or the item was lost and the buyer filed a complaint and paypal found you at fault, then they can go back to your paypal account to get the money and suspend it until the money is recovered. They cannot go after your checking account in that instance.

DaBigHurt

You should absolutely withdraw the money from the paypal account before sending the merchandise. Paypal can and will take money from your paypal balance if they get a chargeback and there won't be anything you can do about it. It's happened to me and a million others. Sure, paypal may suspend your account, but that sure beats getting raped by the buyer AND paypal.

jrdolan

The guy paid, so what's the problem? If you're worried about getting screwed on a chargeback, just use signature confirmation. Costs $1.80 extra. Then he can't claim it never arrived, which is really the only argument that will work with PayPal.

Cleaning out your PP account is a good idea if you're still concerned. PayPal can TRY to get money from your bank account (if for example the buyer gets a refund from his credit card company and they in turn go after PayPal). But it's not easy, and doesn't just happen because they request it and without your permission.

We all had zero feedback once. Granted, not many of us started with a $900 card, but stranger things have happened. He paid up front, cut him some slack as long as he's being a good ebay citizen.

funlover1974

Paypal can charge it back regardless of if it is delivered or not, regardless of if you have proof it was recieved or not. All the buyer has to do is make a claim against the CC. They will refund it out of your account and then put a negative balance on your paypal account so any future payments will go to them first.

I am always wary of any companies whose first line of their Seller's Protection is PayPal's Seller Protection Policy is designed to try to help buyers recover funds from sellers who do not ship the promised goods

Skinpinch

Ok, I called the guy, and my intuition was that everything was cool. He was more than willing to send a check or money order if I requested him to do so. He went and verified his account(which doesn't mean much for me, but shows some eagerness on his part), and he seemed like a genuine collector who has been looking for this card, but has not tried ebay until now. I sent out the card and kept the paypal payment. Hopefully everything will work out. I cleared my paypal balance, and I am changing my account to a new bank account with a balance of 100 dollars. Thanks for the input.

EagleEyeKid

Just out of curiousity, what was the Paypal fee on that $900 chunk?