How safe is PayPal for buyers?

[Armueller2001]

I'm thinking about buying something off another forum and sending money thru PayPal... is there any recourse if the guy doesn't send it? I was thinking if I use my CapitalOne card to fund the transaction, I can call the credit card company for the worst case scenario and have them cancel it...

[EADG mx]

I've been wondering about this for a while as well. I wouldn't buy off anyone I didn't trust but there's always that off chance they could disappear with your money.

I know you can report it to the site if the purchase was an EBay transaction (PayPal is part of EBay iirc) but I don't know what you can legally do otherwise.

[RWP]

I don't think paypal cares where you purchased the item they use the same rules. From personal experience paypal is strongly on the buyers side and if you submit a dispute they will force the seller to prove delivery. The problem I find is dishonest buyers using paypal rules against sellers in scams. They can end up with the item AND their money back.

[chuckjones93]

I got ripped twice on eBay (NFL jerseys both times), and got all my money back from Paypal. No problems.

[TallLankyBastyd]

Buyers have it made... paypal protects them well...

Sellers, on the other hand, get paypal porked over a barrel when it comes time for those pirates to collect their outrageous transaction fees!!

[ubado]

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

I'm thinking about buying something off another forum and sending money thru PayPal... is there any recourse if the guy doesn't send it? I was thinking if I use my CapitalOne card to fund the transaction, I can call the credit card company for the worst case scenario and have them cancel it...

If you are looking at purchasing something here on TB ... you're much safer than using eBay ... get the TB'ers info (name, phone, work phone, address... etc)... the more info you have about the transaction the better (so keep all PM/emails) in case you have to prove what the transaction was for and it's details.

PayPal "BUYERS" are well taken care of compared to "SELLERS". As long as you can prove everything in the transaction... you'll be fine. "Sellers" have to prove to PayPal that a package has been sent to your address, since the only way to do this is to ship you something.... you're most likely ok.

As far as contacting the credit card company to get your money back .... it gets a bit more tricky since PayPal is a middle-man. PayPal bills your credit card on your behalf, then passes the funds (- huge fees!) to the seller.... if PayPal rejects your claim, going to the credit card company might work, but it'll take a long time before you see it back.

[playinpearls]

i haven't sold anything through paypal in a while....have they raised their fees or something? Paypal seemed to be a good deal while I was using it...it was like 3 % or something...

[EmmSee]

Originally Posted by RWP

From personal experience paypal is strongly on the buyers side and if you submit a dispute they will force the seller to prove delivery. The problem I find is dishonest buyers using paypal rules against sellers in scams. They can end up with the item AND their money back.

You are 100% correct!

#1 rule for sellers.. ONLY SHIP TO CONFIRMED ADDRESSES!

PayPal is great for buyers, you have so much protection.