Selling on Craigslist

[Madangles]

Hey, So I am selling my sofa on Craigslist and I got a message from a person who wants to buy it but he lives outside the state so wants to sell me money through PayPal. Now I haven't used paypal before and the only reason I am even considering the offer is because I know PayPal is secure but not sure how this works. Also, he said that he will ask a shipping company to pick it up, since they don't accept PayPal, he'll send me extra money to pay the Shipping company. Is this a scam? I know they won't be picking up the item until he sends me the money to pay them with but can he reclaim the money or something like that. 
Thank you in advance for the help. 

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@Madangles

Transfering money is safe but transactions are not always so you need to read up on seller protection before you start to sell so you can see what you are covered for and can risk assess your transactions.

But anyway this is a SCAM.

>>>

THIS IS A TYPICAL PAYPAL SCAM.

They encourage you to use paypal and often ask you to send the item as a gift to a relative somewhere often Nigeria.

You will get/got a "fake" email that looks as though it is from paypal.....it isn't.

It will say the buyer has paid ...you won't have been paid.

If the item requires shipping they will tell you that they will pay you extra and you must pay the agent via western union / moneygram BEFORE the funds are released to you.

They are not interested in the item, they just want the western union etc funds and you will never see money in your paypal balance.

They also threaten legal action...have a laugh at that one and ignore it as its rubbish.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send trackable, they advise it for seller protection etc but it is not compulsory.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.

Paypal NEVER expect you to use a rival money transfer service.

Delete any emails and ignore the scammers.