Am I about to get

[dontcalmeshirly]

I am selling something for a friend on Craig's List.  A potiential buyer contacted me wanting to purchase the items.  I have used paypal in the past for small items and never had issues.  However, I am concerned b/c this buyer is 4 states from me, wants to only pay via paypal and is going to have their personal moving company come pick the stuff up.  It's one of those, if it seems to good to be true, kind of things.  So, before I really **bleep** myself and my friend, I want to see if you guys know of any way this person could "take" us for the $3,500 product we're about to sell them. 

I tried to call paypal a minute ago to ask them, but the guy that was on the line sounded like he was in a hole on the other side of the room and the only thing I could understand him say was that paypal is secure.  Well, I'm sure they try to be, but I want to make sure I've covered all my bases before we get scammed when it could have otherwise been prevented....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[pike483]

once the money has transferred into your paypal account its yours..

[PayPal_Adrian]

Once funds are in your PayPal account, they can still be reversed - just as a check someone has given you can bounce a week after you've deposited it (it does happen - it's called a fake check).

You'll want to review the terms and conditions of the seller protection policy, one of which right away tells me you wouldn't be covered if you allow the buyers shipping company to pick it up.

In fact, most "buyer pick ups" we hear about on the Forums involve advance fee fraud, so you'll want to go forward with your eyes wide open.

Learn more about selling safely online in our security center:  www.paypal.com/securitycenter

An article I recommend to anyone who even uses the internet:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_fraud

Adrian