Could I get some ebay (or just selling) advise please?

I'm selling the Cadimino, I do not have PayPal and I'm apprehensive.  When I bought an F-150 cross country, I spoke with the seller on the phone, electronically wired the agreed to amount which he received in minutes, and the deal was done.

If you've ever sold anything, you've probably received texts or emails like "Very interested in your ______, my driver is on another run so I can give you a check for the full amount plus shipping which you give to the driver when he arrives".     Three days later -  "Honey, did you empty out the savings?"

Without PayPal, I would appreciate any suggestions to fend off Nigerians and keep my finances secure.  Is PayPal infallible?

Thanks, Dan

Already and how much?

Paypal is not infallible. More than a few people have sold things and had the buyer dispute the charges and get the money pulled back and then you're in for a fight. You should have a way to get the money transferred to your bank without the sender having access to your account number. Different banks do this in different ways. The best way is still to have a cashiers check sent and have that check clear before the car ships. 

I sell on ebay.  Stuff I can ship.  I would never choose to sell a car on ebay.  But that's just me.

Based on what I've heard, Paypal tends to favor the buyer, not the seller, and I sincerely doubt that they are "infallible."

Again, just me, but I'm selling a car, the transaction is face-to-face and I'm walking away with cash.

In reply to 1988RedT2 :

Ebay had a feature that you could list a car for sale locally and put a set price on it - that's how I sold my Honda Accord. 

In my advertisement it was stated the deal was cash handed to the bank teller at Chase Bank as the title is handed over.  A guy from NW Indiana insisted on buying it on Sunday as he was a police officer and his schedule sucked so I agreed to meet him.  Next thing I know he's putting fifty-five hundred dollar bills into my hand.  

Nothing is infallible, but Paypal is generally pretty good.  You hear about the situations where people have had problems, but you don't hear about the millions of transactions that go off without a hitch.

In reply to stuart in mn :

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the show?

I have bought and sold cars on Ebay.  The money part was done face-to-face.  I flew to a city and the seller met me at the airport with the car.  Exchanged money for title and keys and done.  Same for selling.

I did do one differently.  The buyer sent me a photo of the front of the cashier's check.  I sent him photos of the car loaded on the transport trailer that he hired.  He then sent the photo of the back of the check which I deposited electronically.  This is not infallible as the check could be forged, but it worked great for us.

Speak to all potential buyers via phone before purchase transactions. The buyer should be as fearful of you scamming them as you are of them. 

The real scams won't want to talk, won't want to provide personal info and will be very much in a rush to "finalize" the scam. 

Ebay motors is not a contract to buy. This is stated right in the terms. Even after "winning" an auction, neither the seller or buyer are bound to complete. 

If it doesn't feel "real" at the end then back out.  Be honest and tell the potential suitor of your fears and see what they will do to quell your fears. 

Think of eBay as an advertising place.  And, for a car like this and the unique market you'll need national advertising like eBay can provide. 

stuart in mn said:

Nothing is infallible, but Paypal is generally pretty good.  You hear about the situations where people have had problems, but you don't hear about the millions of transactions that go off without a hitch.

Exactly and a realistic view.

I sell shippable items on eBay with PayPal payment only. PayPal has been the least of my concerns.

L5wolvesf said:

stuart in mn said:

Nothing is infallible, but Paypal is generally pretty good.  You hear about the situations where people have had problems, but you don't hear about the millions of transactions that go off without a hitch.

Exactly and a realistic view.

I sell shippable items on eBay with PayPal payment only. PayPal has been the least of my concerns.

Yes, I've sold two cars on eBay and both were $1000 deposit and balance on delivery(or pickup). The cars I've bought were the same. The deposit through PayPal was not an issue, there will always be jerks and scammers; nothing will protect you from all of them.

I do a lot of remote deals.  I'll generally do a deposit through PayPal or zelle,  then bank wire for the rest. I've done 6 figure deals this way and feel wire is the safest and fastest.

I’m with Cotton here.  Wire transfers are the best and most secure way to handle this type of transaction.  

I JUST did this... I sold my ITA AE86 

you ask your bank... they will give you the appropriate numbers.  Typically your actual account number is "buried" in the other numbers the bank gives you... so they know, yet anyone else would need to know the "fake" numbers to get your account......

When I sell or buy a car, I generally use bank checks for payment. I don't like walking around with thousands of dollars in my pocket.

canoe