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A ? about Paypal...hopefully not too OT.

piecesofmepiecesofme Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭
in Precious Metals
Had a guy on eBay tell me that he could just send me a Paypal invoice for the items I was interested in from him. He would specifically list the items in the invoice to reflect what the invoice was for. This way he would only have to incur the Paypal fees and not the eBay raping.
Would I still be covered thru buyer protection in the event something went wrong, or is this a scam? Thanks for the help.
To forgive is to free a prisoner, and to discover that prisoner was you.

Comments

  • notwilightnotwilight Posts: 12,864 ✭✭✭
    Generally it is not a scam. I don't know for sure how much buyer protection you would have. I do it all the time as a seller when I am contacted by previous customers. Since I am not a scammer, they are not protected.

    99.9% of ebay sellers are not scammers so the odds are with you on this one.

    --Jerry
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,793 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Ask paypal. It's a question of "is it an eligible item" (for buyer protection). Buyer protection on their website directs you to their paypal user agreement where it states it must be an eligible item. Same agreement never identifies or defines eligible items. Let us know what they say.

    My answer: No, since you're paying for something that is not an internet purchase.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • piecesofmepiecesofme Posts: 6,669 ✭✭✭
    ok...I know I could call Paypal and ask, but that might through up a red flag because aren't eBay & Paypal the same company to some effect?
    I mean Paypal would still be getting their cut, but if the seller put something in the invoice like, "these are the eBay items", Paypal might not like that, or would they not care and I'd be covered because Paypal got their cut and would view it as a legit transaction?
    I know, lots of questions, but I'm considering buying a significant amount from this guy on there. He has very good feedback and says he does this more than actually selling on eBay. He just lists stuff on there to get exposure, then when people ask him about it, he sends them an invoice. So eventhough his feedback on eBay is good, that doesn't necessarrily mean he's on the up & up with the off-eBay dealings, or am I just being paranoid?

    Maybe I'll start out with a small transaction doing it that way and see how it goes. Thanks again to any who can offer any help with this.
    To forgive is to free a prisoner, and to discover that prisoner was you.
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,793 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Paypal has to know it was a valid purchase and not two parties trying to rip off paypal with a false claim. If you call paypal you don't have to tell them it's an ebay purchase. Tell them a coin dealer is going to be sending you a paypal invoice for a purchase that is not from a website, it was agreed to over the phone. Are you covered?

    If your seller is willing to rip off ebay (he's using their service to find a buyer and trying to avoid paying for the service) what makes you so sure he won't rip you off. While Jerry is correct, is the risk worth the reward?

    If either of you are using ebay message system to discuss an off ebay purchase (especially for an item listed on ebay) ebay will most likely take action against one or both parties. They do read messages. Such discussions should be handled via telephone or personal email.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • gsa1fangsa1fan Posts: 5,566 ✭✭✭
    My thinking it would be just like paying for a coin from BST. Paypal will only go so far in protecting you eBay or no eBay.
    Avid collector of GSA's.
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,119 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I for one, have purchased numerous times using your described conditions. Cut a deal with the seller first & instruct him to invoice you...never had any problems. He saves on ebay fees & I got a reduced BIN. I believe, both the seller & buyer is protected under PayPal's umbrella, as long as both parties abide by their conditions.
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • derrybderryb Posts: 36,793 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I for one, have purchased numerous times using your described conditions. Cut a deal with the seller first & instruct him to invoice you...never had any problems. He saves on ebay fees & I got a reduced BIN. I believe, both the seller & buyer is protected under PayPal's umbrella, as long as both parties abide by their conditions. >>


    One must be clear on the conditions. The question here is eligibility for protection. Paypal's protection agreement leaves it unanswered. I too have purchased under similar conditions with no problems, but only with sellers I know. OP is asking if he is covered, not what the odds are he will get ripped off. Paypal has the correct answer.

    "Interest rates, the price of money, are the most important market. And, perversely, they’re the market that’s most manipulated by the Fed." - Doug Casey

  • 57loaded57loaded Posts: 4,967 ✭✭✭
    go to the paypal website, it's all there.

    i tried to link but couldn't
    fixed link
  • hhmag70hhmag70 Posts: 2,107
    Yes you are covered as long as it is a tangible item you are purchasing.
  • OPAOPA Posts: 17,119 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I for one, have purchased numerous times using your described conditions. Cut a deal with the seller first & instruct him to invoice you...never had any problems. He saves on ebay fees & I got a reduced BIN. I believe, both the seller & buyer is protected under PayPal's umbrella, as long as both parties abide by their conditions. >>


    One must be clear on the conditions. The question here is eligibility for protection. Paypal's protection agreement leaves it unanswered. I too have purchased under similar conditions with no problems, but only with sellers I know. OP is asking if he is covered, not what the odds are he will get ripped off. Paypal has the correct answer. >>



    As I mentioned previously...you are covered if you abide by PayPals guidelines. PayPal User Agreement

    click on # 11 & #13 ...No need to call PayPal, they are just going to give you the same answers
    "Bongo drive 1984 Lincoln that looks like old coin dug from ground."
  • morgantypemorgantype Posts: 456


    << <i>Yes you are covered as long as it is a tangible item you are purchasing. >>



    What he said.

    I called PayPal on this a while ago. I went through the whole deal. What I'd it from Craig's list, what if it from another website I run.

    I got an emphatic, "you are covered" from PayPal that the protection is in place.
    Many buy and sell transactions. Let's talk!
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