Help me avoid a potential scam

[krfoss]

Alright, here’s the situation. I’m trying to meet up with someone to sell a banjo to them from craigslist. They originally said the wanted to pay in advance via PayPal and have me mark it sold, then meet up tomorrow. I shot that down and asked to just have a PayPal transfer tomorrow at the exchange, and pay friends and family.

My fear- they pay me via PayPal, take the banjo, then later claim to PayPal that I didn’t hand over the banjo or something similar and demand a clawback of the money.

My counter scam (if they don’t ghost me)- accept money via PayPal friends and family, continue in the text thread that they are purchasing the banjo and have them respond back affirming the sale, maybe even take a picture of them buying it (this might be crazy). The hope is I’ll have a record of them confirming the purchase.

Alternative counter scam- just take cash.

What am I missing? If this a scam, what do I do to avoid this? How do protect myself if it is a scam, but give the benefit of the doubt as if they actually want to buy it?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Oddly]

I think I've read on here that some police stations offer safe spaces for trading, I assume under CCTV surveillance that could be used as proof?
Maybe something like that?

 

[Wasnex]

Perhaps some or all of these ideas would be useful:

1. AFAIK PayPal should give you the buyer's name. At the exchange, ask for ID to confirm identity.
2. Have a big friend take picture of you handing the buyer the banjo. Make sure to have an appropriate -eating grin. Make it totally ridiculous.
3. Have the buyer sign a receipt.

Good luck.

 

[Polfuste]

Simple: cash. If you meet tomorrow tell them you reserve it for them until tomorrow and will exchange banjo versus cash. And if you have another request during this time, tell the other requester that your banjo is reserved and you come back to him if sell in progress not working.