is paypal safe for accepting payment through craigslist?

[trevorhoang]

so i am selling a piano at 2500 and a guy says he will pay via paypal. i would have him pay my paypal first before he takes the piano but i am nervous with such a big payment.

so for all you paypal experts out there, do you think it is safe to recieve payment via paypal?

 

[Vibrance]

Do not do it. He will reverse the payment and you will have no proof to PayPal that you actually supplied the goods. It's smarter to say either cash or direct debit only, or no sale. Much better than selling it, and have to worry about disputes or chargebacks, which can even be 6 months later for chargebacks

 

[trevorhoang]

that sounds rite. ya i was wiery of it but i wanted the sale. its cash only, thanks.

 

[cagcag]

What if he had a bill of sale made up which they both signed with the paypal name and address matching up with the guys ID? Just a thought....

 

[Mikeya97c]

Do not do it. He will reverse the payment and you will have no proof to PayPal that you actually supplied the goods. It's smarter to say either cash or direct debit only, or no sale. Much better than selling it, and have to worry about disputes or chargebacks, which can even be 6 months later for chargebacks

Sounds about right. He sends the payment. Picks up the piano. Then comes home and disputes it.

 

[EnlightenedOne]

Anybody can dispute anything with Paypal. It's like the world's most simple small claims court: only the sellers have more trouble defending themselves.
You can use it, but be smart and SAFE!! Treat it like a real biz transaction that you can back up not just with Paypal, but in a real court.
I do web design and though I bill with Paypal and everything is "signed" in that manner, EVERYONE still signs a development contract.