How does a person send money to an e mail address?

[cookie_duster]

I do not understand how a person would send money to an e-mail address. I want to sell an item and the buyer wants to pay me thru PayPal. I don't know how to do this as paypal instructions just say, for the buyer to send money to an e mail address? Help!

[snowshoe]

As the seller, you should send the buyer an invoice or money request.

PayPal is based on email addresses - this is how your account is associated with you.  Assuming each person has a PayPal Account - one person can send funds to another using the Send Money feature - they simply enter the email address of the other other person and the amount.    You can also send to anyone who does not have a PayPal Account however, for the receiver to actually get the money, they would have to open a PayPal Account.

Keep in mind, if you are the seller, you want to control the sale and protect yourself - that's why you should send the buyer an invoice so they can pay first, once you get the money, you then ship the item.