Buyer paid, funds nowhere to be found

[rgramm10]

Okay so I sold an item on Ebay and the buyer paid to my email through PayPal instead of through Ebay. I still got an email saying that the buyer paid x amount and I check my paypal and its not pending nor is it in my balance. I just shipped the item and provided a tracking number via Ebay. How will I be able to view the money the buyer sent me? 

[rgramm10]

I was able to get my package back from UPS before it was taken to be delivered thankfully. I am new to ebay and thought the email was a legitimate one. Thank you all so much for your fast replies... I should have known there were many sketchy aspects of the sale that I should have waited or cancelled the order. Have a goodnight everyone.

edit: Also, I didn't try to avoid the Ebay fees by doing it just through Paypal. I just believed he had done it wrong and accidentally done it through just Paypal. I clearly should have looked into this better, but you live and you learn I guess. Fortunately I didn't lose anything, but I need to be much more careful.

[DPCreations]

Good to hear that your lesson wasn't costly--and it was a very good learning experience.

[Whac-A-Mole]

good to hear you got your item back.

You need to bone up on Ebay and Paypal buyer/seller protection.

scammers prey on rookie sellers with low feedback,electronic and precious metal goods