I'm selling a bass on eBay. Someone made a nice offer to buy it outright. He seems to really want it. He has only 3 feedback ratings, so I assume he's new to thu auction thing. Would it be safe to sell it if he pays via Paypal?
I wouldn't. Is he asking you to end the auction because he thinks it will go for more than he's offering?
I guess the first question to ask yourself is whether or not his offer is fair and acceptable to you or do realistically think you'll get more in an auction? If you're content with the price you're getting then a Pay-Pal sale should be fine. It will protect both of you.
This guy shipped to a non-confirmed address. That is a HUGE mistake as that guy found out. If you can't prove that you shipped to the confirmed Paypal address then you are SOL. If the offer is fair (also take into consideration that you will not have to pay ebay fees) then it is no different then selling on a forum like this one.
I've sold thousands of items - on and off Ebay. I've sold them to people overseas through Paypal. Paypal is EXTREMELY safe for the seller. And it saves you Ebay fees. That's why Ebay goes on the warpath to prevent 'off-Ebay' interaction and deals. Yes, the unconfirmed address is an issue. How much is the item worth? I've sent hundreds of items to unconfirmed addresses and never (literally, never) had a problem. Ebay has far less scammers than it used to. They've been driven out effectively. All the horror stories are largely of the past and they are small potatoes.
"Buyer requests that I insure the item (worth $3,800) for only $150 so he doesn't have to deal with customs. I do, to make him happy. " This guy in that thread was a total idiot. Unbelievable how stupid someone can be. Not only did he screw himself if it was lost or stolen, but he set himself up to be put in dire legal straits. If that package got lost that guy would get $150 back, if anything. NEVER declare low values for a foreign buyer.