Buying from an individual - is Paypal safe?

AsSiMiLaTeD

I'm looking to buy something from someone on another forum, and I'm wondering if Paypal is safe, if I'd have any recourse if he tried to screw me.

I have no reason not to trust the guy other than my own paranoia, but also have no recourse if paypal doesn't offer anything.

krabby5

I always use Paypal when I buy stuff from Ebay...never had any problems..but I've also never had any bad transactions...

billbillw

How expensive is the item? PayPal has some basic protection, but its less than if you bought through Ebay. You could also pay him via USPS money order. Then if he screws you, you can threaten him with mail fraud, a federal crime. If the other guy has any kind of decent feedback at the other forum, I wouldn't worry much.

Gaara

Use a credit card, that way you have the CC company to fall back on if anything happens.

It wouldn't be a headphone amp that you are buying would it?

AsSiMiLaTeD

Well I pulled the trigger. I don't feel 100% comfortable with it. In the end I'm out $300 if I get screwed. It's a decent amount, but probably not something I'd remember 5 years from now. This is someone from the Head-fi forums. he doesn't have alot of posts there, has only been around a few months, and didn't have any Paypal feedback.

But he seemed legit enough, and his paypal ID shows being active since 2004.

We'll see what happens.

heiney9

Polkmaniac wrote: »

Well I pulled the trigger. I don't feel 100% comfortable with it. In the end I'm out $300 if I get screwed. It's a decent amount, but probably not something I'd remember 5 years from now. This is someone from the Head-fi forums. he doesn't have alot of posts there, has only been around a few months, and didn't have any Paypal feedback.

But he seemed legit enough, and his paypal ID shows being active since 2004.

We'll see what happens.

For the future their are escrow services that act as an intermediary. I'm sure they have some fee's but from what little I've read they can be a viable alternative when transacting this type of business.

H9

AsSiMiLaTeD

Looks like my paranoia (is it really paranoia if all the other voices in my head are telling me that they're thinking the same thing) was unwarranted. My package arrived in perfect condition.

AndyGwis

I buy stuff off ebay, CL, and anywhere else using paypal all the time. Never needed to use any kind of protection they offer, but nice to know it's there.

For the most part, it seems people buying and selling audio gear and passionate hobbyists like the rest of us and aren't looking to screw people over. In most cases, people go out of their way to help noobs like myself and will throw in cables, etc. for free.

lt1z350

yeah for a transaction it is fine just don leave money sitting in the account as they can take it back.

koz

repeating the credit card. paypal only protects a certian amount. go through your credit card company if you have a problem

markmarc

Paypal works best in case of a problem if there is some emails back and forth that they can use to determine if a refund is warranted. make sure to be specific in asking about the condition of the item being purchased.