A a seller, you should have either a Premier or Business PayPal Account and ensure you sign up to use PayPal's Website Payments Standard. There is no charge to do this. You will only pay a transaction fee if you sell something. If you presently have a Personal Account, you will run into limitations and most likely end up frustrated and mad at PayPal. Personal Accounts were intended for online shopping and/or sending funds to family and/or friends for personal reasons. Premier and Business Accounts are for folks who want to sell stuff. Premier and Business Accounts will also allow your buyers to pay by credit card or open/use a PayPal Account. Premier and Business Accounts will also allow you to send an email invoice to the buyer or if you have a web page, allow you to generate Buy Now, Add to Cart, Subscription or Donation item buttons.
And as you plan to use Craigslist, be aware of the scammers. Here's some tips:
One of the most common red flags is that the buyer wants to sent you the money via your PayPal email address. Normally as the seller, you send the buyer an email invoice or the purchase is processed through your web page or site. Also, if plan to be a seller, you should have either a Premier or Business Account. You will run into limitations trying to use a Personal Account.
Next common red flag, the buyer wants the item delivered to another country and recommends a specific shipping service for you to use
Another red flag, buyer offers to pay more than you're asking or is requesting shipment ASAP to an unconfirmed address or another state or country.
Beware when the seller wants you to send him the money for a purchase but you are asked to send the money as a "Gift".
This means that the seller is trying to avoid paying the transaction fees and also makes it hard for you to prove you actually purchased an item.
You can protect yourself in several ways:
Do not sell to non-US PayPal Accounts.
Require a "Confirmed Address" meaning that the shipping and billing address must be the same.
Opt to not accept eChecks.
Block payments from Student account users under 18 years old.
Regards,
skier
