I've had interest from someone for my SSD that I have listed on Craigslist. He wants me to ship it to Los Angeles. Is there any way to proceed without (most importantly) me getting ripped off in this transaction? I think it's legit, but surely don't want to risk $600.

 

If he were to use Paypal, once the money is there, is there anyway he can take it back out, or claim he didn't receive the product? Anything I need to be wary of?

I have one listed on my local Craig's as well. He sent me a text a few days ago and asked the same. I live in Green Bay, WI. I declined. Too risky in my opinion. Mine is a used set complete with box and instructions. I have it listed at $450. If he wants one so bad why not just buy one off of eBay?

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Interesting. Probably a scam. Although my listed price would probably save him $25-50 over ebay.

he can't reverse a payment if it's through ebay, if it's just through paypal. you're screwed

he can't reverse a payment if it's through ebay, if it's just through paypal. you're screwed

Exactly. That's why I declined. We sent a few text messages back and forth and seemed like a decent person through our conversation, but again, not worth the risk.

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I've had interest from someone for my SSD that I have listed on Craigslist. He wants me to ship it to Los Angeles. Is there any way to proceed without (most importantly) me getting ripped off in this transaction? I think it's legit, but surely don't want to risk $600.

 

If he were to use Paypal, once the money is there, is there anyway he can take it back out, or claim he didn't receive the product? Anything I need to be wary of?

 

The risks are exactly the same as an ebay transaction because when your buyer pays on ebay they use paypal. If you ship to the paypal confirmed address and have delivery confirmation you are safe from an INR case. You are still open to a SNAD claim tho (just as you are on ebay). The safest way is to tell your buyer to gift the funds through paypal in which case the buyer has no recourse whatsoever. Cash in  the mail works as well

So, if he gifts money on PayPal, do I need to transfer it over quickly to my account? How would he be able to reverse it?

So, if he gifts money on PayPal, do I need to transfer it over quickly to my account? How would he be able to reverse it?

If he gifts it, as far as I know there is noway for him to get the money back. The buyer has zero protection and this is a way for the seller to scam the buyer.

So, if he gifts money on PayPal, do I need to transfer it over quickly to my account? How would he be able to reverse it?

 

You don't need to transfer it as there is no buyer protection for gift payments. 

 

Even if a buyer makes a merchandise payment (instead of a gift payment) and you transfer the funds paypal will still take your money directly from your bank account, credit card, or send you to collections if the buyer claims SNAD and you don't refund. It does not matter if they buy on ebay, craigslist or in person. If you take a paypal payment you are on the hook for 45 days (or 180 days if you sell to a UK buyer - scary).

Ok, so If I demand a gift payment through Paypal, I should be fine if he accepts? Are there any other possible scamming techniques I need to be aware of with this type of payment?

 

I've already learned some new things today. Thanks for all the advice.

If someone is going through every craigslist market ****** america vs. ebay, they aren't looking to save $20, they're looking to get a free set. If it was me I would text back asking how much he wanted for his SSD to make him think I was buying one off of him and confusing him a bit hehe.

Not worth the risk, I've declined a few craigslist buyers because alarm bells went off.  Craigslist is a cash only type of marketplace.

Ok, so If I demand a gift payment through Paypal, I should be fine if he accepts? Are there any other possible scamming techniques I need to be aware of with this type of payment?

 

I've already learned some new things today. Thanks for all the advice.

Yes. If he gifts the money it is as good as cash in the mail.

he can't reverse a payment if it's through ebay, if it's just through paypal. you're screwed

You can reverse a payment through PayPal? I thought once the money is in your account you have nothing to worry about. I know you can't reverse it through an eBay transaction.

From what I've gathered

 

Paypal gift transaction: Once the money is sent (since you aren't telling Paypal it's for Goods or Services), the money is yours. Paypal also may not even send the address of the "buyer" because this cuts down on their transaction fees. Chance of completely screwing the buyer

 

Paypal Goods or Services transaction:The money is sent, but the buyer is protected by Paypal. All they have to do is claim the item wasn't sent, and Paypal will reverse the transaction. Chance of totally screwing the seller.

After talking to the person on the phone, he gifted me the money, and it was sent. He said it saved him $50-75 on Ebay prices.

Not to scare you - but NEVER ship items on Craigslist. I am telling you, there are so many ways you can be screwed. Just don't do it.

 

Yours is probably fine, but there are tons and tons of horror stories with this.

 

Make an Ebay BIN and have them purchase. Only way to do it.

 

Make an Ebay BIN and have them purchase. Only way to do it.

I understand your point, but if you look at it this way.......

 

I have $433 into the set. On Craigslist, I had no bites locally at $575. In order to clear relatively the same amount with shipping (He paid $600 for some of the shipping minus $42 in shipping costs) of $130......The BIN Ebay price would have had to be $640 and he would have to be on the hook for $42 shipping. So, he saves a bunch, and I make much more.

 

Unless I somehow get screwed on this deal.

 

If I do, major learning experience.

I definitely understand the figures. But if you get scammed, you get 0$.

 

And it happens a ton on craigslist. I think you are safe with him sending a gift, but there may be a ton of other ways things can work out wrong. I am actually pretty surprised that guy did a gift for you - he left himself wide open.

He most definitely did leave himself wide open. But I was upfront about it and told him it didn't really matter to me if I sold it or not. But if he wanted it, a gift was the only way I was going to do it. He had also done some research and it came down to him trusting me more than anything. I informed him of my Ebay account and told him what my real job was, so I think he was assured I wasn't going to rip him off.....which I'm not.

Good for you. I do a large chunk of my business with gifted funds, particularly asian buyers. Safest way to transact along with cash or bitcoin.

The one question I did have is this....how can you tell the money was actually gifted? I'm guessing no fees and no address listed??

if it was sent via gift there will be no paypal fees.  he sends $100 you get $100 in your paypal account

Be aware that asking a buyer to send you money as a gift (personal payment) is in violation of PayPal's policies:

 

https://cms.paypal.com/cgi-bin/marketingweb?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=ua/BuyerProtComp_full&locale.x=en_US

 

Click down to "receiving money".

 

I understand the desire on a seller's part to protect themselves from chargeback, but by taking in money for sales as a "gift", a user is cheating PayPal out of their fees for the service they provide and mis-using the intent of the gift system.

 

Like speed limits and marriage vows and murder, people can now go forth and make their own decisions.

I didn't know about the differences between gifting and goods and services. Thanks all for the info.

As an update, received the money, and shipped out via fed ex with shipping confirmation and insurance. Kept in contact with buyer, and he informed me he received it in perfect condition.

Overall, a good transaction, but probably not worth the worry.... For me or him