Am I being scammed on TB?

[smcd]

Originally Posted by slick_tu

I didn't read every post, so maybe someone already said this. DHL only does International shipping now. They used to be cheaper than UPS and FedEx and would pick up at your home for only $4. more. For the past few years they dropped everything but overseas shipping.

I always require a signature.

I didn't know that PayPal could yank the money after it was deposited into your personal bank account, but it seems logical; thanks for that heads up.

PayPal can NOT reach into your personal bank account.

DHL's bread and butter is international shipping. I've had overseas buyers arrange their own shipping through DHL and it turned out great.

[Handyman]

Originally Posted by smcd

I'd say those are pretty rare occurrences, wouldn't you?

Not if the guy on the other end is a scammer.

[ldervish]

Originally Posted by smcd

I've made hundreds of PayPal transactions, and never had a problem with that kind of thing.

It seems to me many people in this thread are spreading misinformation.

Unfortunately much of this information is either correct or close enough and you have been lucky enough not run across these situations. Try searching "scammers using paypal" and take a gander at the over 7 million returns. It's one reason why many craigslist posters require "local sale and cash only".

TB is generally a much safer place to deal, but even here you have to pay attention to risk, as the Op is doing.

[smeet]

Originally Posted by smcd

How is it possible to have money paid to you through PayPal, and then have that payment retracted? I've never heard such a thing.

OP here.

I had it the above happen to me a few years ago. The funds were somehow hacked into my paypal and disappeared several days later.

More complication though, I may have been hasty. I forgot to mention that he paid using paypal gift, which I guess means he couldn't use paypal protection...

He also just PM'd me that he apparently has several other TB deals (although no feedback or posts). So maybe I was being needlessly suspicious... I'll check out the TB'er he's dealt with in the past.

[Wyattsgroove]

There is another loophole through PayPal. I found out the hard way. Once I shipped my item and marked it shipped, the buyer canceled the PayPal payment. Well, this really messed everything up! Once canceled, PayPal nor eBay will do anything because it was canceled and the buyer now has $ back. If you can't contact the delivery service in time .. You lose! I had to contact both my local P.D. And the P.D. Where the buyer lived. Only then did I get my item back. This A-H$L& was going to keep my stuff! On top of it he tried to get money out of me to get my stuff back.
I will never ever sell anything on eBay again because of what I learned. This guy knew how the system worked. He probably gets away with it a lot because people won't go as far as I did. It took 6 weeks total to get my ( 1/4 sawn white oak gerstner tool chest ) Toolbox back and cost me 75 bucks in shipping fees, not to mention all the time on the phone with PayPal, eBay, shipping service, police dept's, and lost time from work chasing this down.

Beware of this! If you mark an item shipped, watch it close.
If the buyer cancels the transaction.... You are screwed if you don't stop the shipment!

Also.. You cannot leave feedback to warn others.

Sorry, if this went a 'ill off topic. Just wanted to share this loophole.

When.

[bassmonkeee]

Originally Posted by smeet

I forgot to mention that he paid using paypal gift, which I guess means he couldn't use paypal protection...

Heh. So, you are actively breaking the rules, too, then.

[mje]

To be safe with eBay and PayPal you have to use PayPal's shipping tools to insure that PayPal has a record of the shipment. I have close to 500 eBay transactions since they started, and I have yet to be ripped off. Knock on wood ;-)

[slick_tu]

I don't think I ever marked anything "shipped" in PayPal. I transfer the funds as soon they appear in PayPal. Also, I never ship anything expensive until the PayPal funds have cleared and are actually in my bank account.

If you're not comfortable with this buyer, cancel it; someone else will be interested in buying it.

[Immigrant]

This thread screams JPATA.

Watch yer backs, booooee

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by DWBass

Right! So you want the seller to become a criminal as well!!??

Yeah, I said it first. Agree, dumb suggestion. I just hate crooks. Stealing from them appeals to me but yes, it's dumb.

[slick_tu]

Originally Posted by Immigrant

This thread screams JPATA.

It may scream it, but what does it mean?

[smeet]

OP here again.

After some investigation, it appears that the buyer is indeed legit. He has dealt with at least one TBer I know and although there were apparent danger signs, the grammar and DHL thing makes sense since he is in Taiwan.

I appreciate the advice you've all given me. Nevertheless, I'm going to put some trust in humanity and move forward on the deal. I will report back and let you know whether it was warranted. If it's legit, I'll give the guy some feedback so that future deals can be a bit more informed.

Thanks.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by smcd

PayPal can NOT reach into your personal bank account.

You are mistaken. They can, and they do. In fact that's the linchpin of their buyer protection--the only way they can get a refund for a buyer is by withdrawing money from the linked bank account of the seller.

I've been doing business with them since they started, and have gone through a few dispute processes, and in each case one of the factors in the outcome was whether the other party had money in their linked checking account.

[Immigrant]

Originally Posted by slick_tu

It may scream it, but what does it mean?

Only the most entertaining Saturday night read EVER.

HUGE TRADE GONE BAD

Ever since then, every trade or sale gone bad reminds me of that thread and how fast it grew. A lot of it is edited now and I haven't re-read it.

[baba]

I've said this a million times - Paypal offers absolutely no seller protection. It still offers a useful service for many transactions, but just be aware of that when you choose to use it as a seller.

[Siggy]

Originally Posted by smcd

PayPal can NOT reach into your personal bank account.

Yes they can. My son sold some Air Jordans on ebay, he shipped them and withdrew the money from paypal. The buyer said he never received them even though Fedex showed them being delivered (probably dropped off on the porch), and since my son didn't request delivery conformation, paypal withdrew the money from his accompanying account and refunded the buyer. Unfortunately that caused some of his checks to bounce and he was out the Jordans, the cost of shipping and multiple returned check charges.

Lesson learned.

A lot of what I read here seems to be anecdotal evidence and I'd recommend contacting paypal and verifying what your rights and responsibility's really are. Don't get shortchanged like my son did.

[St Drogo]

Originally Posted by smeet

I'm going to put some trust in humanity and move forward on the deal. I will report back and let you know whether it was warranted. If it's legit, I'll give the guy some feedback so that future deals can be a bit more informed.

Glad to hear it. I hope everything turns out golden. And if not, at least you've shown some willingness to trust. There's pride in that.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by smeet

By the way, I can't ignore the buyer, as he just send a sizable sum of money to my paypal account. Just in case he is legit, I don't want to be a jerk and look like I'm trying to steal his money...

Like I said, decline to ship the bass. The original agreement was to deliver it. Stick with that.

[cybersnyder]

Just refund the money and wait for a more comfortable sale.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

Just refund the money and wait for a more comfortable sale.

Yeah, you're probably right.