Quick question for ebay sellers. ASAP...

[GhostWriter]

BIL has won an item for £200+ on ebay. Item description says the seller does not accept paypal for the item but the only accepted payment method is paypal.

He doesn't know if he sends the money by bank transfer without being able to mark as payment sent on ebay, if he loses any buyer protection.

Does that make sense to anybody?

The seller says it's okay as he has sent an invoice through ebay but BIL is mildly concerned that ebay will not know he has paid as there are no alternative payment options.

Does he send the money or not?

[Carrotfly]

I would be very wary of spending that kind of money without the protection of PP.

I'm sure its honest and genuine ....

[Lizzylou]

I thought all Ebay Sellers had to accept Paypal now?
I had to get verified by Paypal to sell stuff, even though I already had a Paypal account.
Will have a look for you.

[StrictlyAvadaKedavra]

You can't not accept paypal. Ebay won't allow it.
Put it through as a paypal payment or walk away. And then report the seller to Ebay for not accepting paypal.

[ILoveStripeySocks]

he has to accept paypal. and no, never send cash or do a bank transfer! absolutely zero protection if anything goes wrong. This has scam written all over it.

[Lizzylou]

It says on Ebay Help:

All sellers offer at least one of the approved electronic payment methods?such as PayPal?or accept credit card payments through their merchant credit card account. (When you pay with a credit card to the seller's merchant account using the Pay Now button, your payment is securely processed without the seller seeing your credit card number.)

Also here, about other payment methods:

Escrow

Recommended for high-priced items. For eBay transactions, you should use only our approved escrow companies. Learn more about how escrow works and which sites are eBay approved.

Advantages

√ Payment is held by the escrow service until you receive and approve the item.

Disadvantages

X There have been reports of fraudulent sellers using non-existent escrow companies, so make sure you verify any escrow service other than eBay?s recommended escrow partner.

Other payment methods

Cheques, postal orders, and direct bank transfers are not allowed for most eBay purchases.

However, sellers may offer these payment methods for certain categories of items including vehicles, capital and business equipment.

For specific exceptions, see our Accepted Payments policy.
Advantages

√ Cheques and postal orders are traceable to a particular postal address and provides proof of payment.

√ For cheques, most banks offer a stop payment service if problems arise before the cheque is cashed. Some postal order services might also have the option to stop payment if problems arise before the payment is cashed.

√ For bank transfers, payment is immediately deposited into the seller?s account.

Disadvantages

X For cheques, sellers must wait for funds to clear.

X Payment is extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud.

Hope this helps.

[ILoveStripeySocks]

do as strictly says

[GhostWriter]

Thank you for the quick responses. BIL is emailing the guy as I type but he maintains that he 'is having problems with paypal' and the money won't send that way. Rubbish, yes?

[Lizzylou]

Yep, Paypal or nowt.
Then report.

[ILoveStripeySocks]

Absolute rubbish. As a buyer, you need to make sure you have 100% protection, and paypal is the only way (especially for that amount!)t.

[GhostWriter]

Another email from seller.

'I will accept cash on collection or bank transfer. No paypal.'

Run away, run away yes?

[StrictlyAvadaKedavra]

like the wind...

[EldonAve]

Cash on collection is fine
You get to check out the goods

I wouldn't accept paypal for collection as then you can't prove delivery

[GhostWriter]

Should point out that BIL bid having read the 'payment info' bit on the listing that said paypal was preferred/accepted.

It does say in very small font in the middle of a load of product description that he won't accept paypal but obviously this is not allowed and is no defence for the seller should BIL report to ebay, yes?

[EldonAve]

Is he expecting to collect it in person?

[GhostWriter]

No, is expecting it to be posted.

Have looked at the seller and he has only sold 3 things previously, about 6 months ago and now has for sale 7 items of electrical stuff (phones, games consoles, sat navs) all for £200 +

Dodgy

[ILoveStripeySocks]

Yes, report the seller.

and this totally sounds like either a hijaked account or an absolute chancer. Several things at over £200 each, and no paypal? SCAM!

[GhostWriter]

Thank you everybody. Alarm bells were ringing when BIL asked to use my wireless connection to send a bank transfer. Glad you all agree. Have also found that his profile lists him as living in one place, the items are for sale in another so yes a hijacked account maybe. Certainly sounds dodgy.

Have told BIL to report.

Am grateful for the input.

[ILoveStripeySocks]

Glad to have saved someone from a possible ebay scammer. Hope your BIL reports them!

[GhostWriter]

I've reported anyway as BIL is driving for the next few hours and won't be able to and all other items he has listed finish later today and am worried somebody might get scammed.

No clue how quick ebay are with these things. Let's hope nobody loses money over this.

[ConFuschias]

Any update GhostWriter?

[GhostWriter]

I haven't heard from ebay, neither has BIL who refused to go through with the transaction.

Will let you know if anything is confirmed.