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Original poster

Remote Facebook selling- secure payment- how?

26 replies

1hamwich4 · 16/05/2020 09:13

How do people pay for stuff they are buying privately from someone on the other side of the country if they aren’t using cash?

It’s obviously a Thing but I can’t for the life of me work out how it would be done without an element of risk.

OP posts:
avroroad · 16/05/2020 09:22

I wouldn't tbh. There isn't a thing in the world that you could possibly need to buy under those specific circumstances.

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 16/05/2020 09:24

Yeah but people do. Someone’s obviously solved that problem. It’s driving me nuts. So how?

OP posts:
avroroad · 16/05/2020 09:26

There will always be an element of risk giving money to someone and trusting them to send it.

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 16/05/2020 09:32

Is that it then? People just PayPal a load of cash and then hope for the best?

Blimey.

OP posts:
avroroad · 16/05/2020 09:35

I wouldn't, no.

curdsandwhey · 16/05/2020 10:58

PayPal, and make sure you use the goods and services option so you'll be covered if something goes wrong.

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 16/05/2020 11:01

Wow, so PayPal covers a transaction between two randoms, Neither of whom have proved their trustworthiness to PayPal? The mind boggles. Or am I too cynical?

OP posts:
Alanna1 · 16/05/2020 11:02

I think people use PayPal goods and services. Not done it myself so don’t actually know.

curdsandwhey · 16/05/2020 11:03

Yes it does. I've bought and sold several items on Facebook groups using PayPal. Maybe it's because it's a particularly nice group, but yes it's a risk. I don't see how else you'd do it though. On the group I'm on I don't even see how it's a big deal tbh.

avroroad · 16/05/2020 11:06

Wow, so PayPal covers a transaction between two randoms, Neither of whom have proved their trustworthiness to PayPal?

Not really. As the seller you leave yourself open. PayPal will side with the buyer.

Zomblie · 16/05/2020 11:07

PayPal. I have an entire small business (very small) and a Facebook page. I invoice using PayPal and my customers pay the invoice via PayPal. If I don't send the goods the customer gets their money back via PayPal and they take it from me.

ALWAYS pay by goods and services though, and remember that PayPal doesn't cover for anything paid in instalments, or anything over 180 days old.

It's not foolproof, but it's pretty damn good.

fartyface · 16/05/2020 11:09

isn't all shopping a transaction between a randommer?

we bought and sold caravans via bank transfer. There is no way I would accept several thousand pounds in cash.

vanillandhoney · 16/05/2020 11:14

PayPal "Goods and Services" covers the buyer if things go wrong.

avroroad · 16/05/2020 11:56

isn't all shopping a transaction between a randommer?

Yes. But buying something from Facebook isn't the same as using a random sellers website, that takes card payments where you have protection.

we bought and sold caravans via bank transfer. There is no way I would accept several thousand pounds in cash.

Equally there is no way I would bank transfer you several thousand pounds without you giving me the caravan.

That last point had made me wonder though, are you talking about paying by another method when you collect? In which case bank transfer would be fine, or do you mean pay up front and trust them to post?

Elieza · 16/05/2020 12:58

Someone was on here last week about buying a Nintendo switch through some Facebook thing and it never arrived and the buyer mysteriously disappeared with her hundred quid or a hundred and fifty quid.

I would t risk it personally. eBay using PayPal is much better. They’ve solved my disputes when stuff has not arrived etc.

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 17/05/2020 08:40

That last point had made me wonder though, are you talking about paying by another method when you collect? In which case bank transfer would be fine, or do you mean pay up front and trust them to post?

There’s a group I’m on for people to sell a particular kind of pushbike. Currently the admin is insisting that the only way you’re allowed to buy/sell is via courier, not collection- and lots of these transactions are across the country anyway.

Presumably what people are doing is transferring the cash somehow (I guess PayPal) and waiting for the courier to turn up with their bike.

I can’t imagine someone driving to Scotland just for a second hand pushbike even if we were allowed to, so it got me thinking.

OP posts:
anothernewone · 17/05/2020 08:44

If it's the Isla bike page u think she put that on following frothing about 'none essential journeys' from a couple of members.i would pm the seller and ask if they will accept collection.

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 17/05/2020 08:47

I’m not buying- I’m trying to work out how people do it....

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 17/05/2020 08:48

Well it depends where they are driving to Scotland from I suppose. I live in Scotland so it wouldn't necessarily be far for me! My DH has driven loads of places for random second hand outdoor equipment. (not under lockdown obviously).

I'm not sure why you are so bemused by PayPal, have you never bought anything off eBay? That's almost entirely how things are paid for on there. I buy loads of stuff of eBay and have never once had a problem.

mistermagpie · 17/05/2020 08:49

You could do bank transfer on collection too, I pay my hairdresser like that (not under lockdown).

Original poster
1hamwich4 · 17/05/2020 09:08

I guess I assumed that transactions through eBay are different to ‘personal’ transactions even if you use PayPal.

Like, it’s worth the risk for PayPal for eBay because there are so many transactions they make their money back even if they have to refund a few. But two randomers on Facebay seems different somehow.

I guess though that the only real difference is that you haven’t got eBay babysitting the process quite as much, but in terms of security they don’t offer a lot extra.

OP posts:
mistermagpie · 17/05/2020 09:39

I think you're misunderstanding PayPal a bit, eBay don't own PayPal (anymore) so aren't babysitting anything about the transaction. PayPal is an independent company used by millions of retailers and offers you the same protection as a buyer, regardless of where or who you are buying from. The only difference is if you choose to pay 'friends and family' on there, but that's at your own risk.

If a purchase goes wrong on eBay you take it up with PayPal. I've done it before as a buyer and it's really simple, their buyer protection is excellent (although not so great for the seller). But the process is exactly the same whether you are buying from eBay, etsy or from John down the road.

mistermagpie · 17/05/2020 09:40

Also, as a buyer, you're not paying PayPal. That's not how they make their money. They make their money by charging fees to sellers, so still get that money even if you are refunded what you paid.

avroroad · 17/05/2020 09:53

I’m trying to work out how people do it....

They use PayPal or bank transfer. A cheque or a postal order. Sometimes even cash. There is little to no protection and it is essentially based on trust. There is no failsafe method that protects both parties.

Elieza · 17/05/2020 10:45

The Nintendo woman paid by bank transfer. She’d checked out the seller on Facebook and he looked genuine so she did the transfer. The courier transfer was allegedly arranged. Her Nintendo never arrived and he disappeared from Facebook.

I don’t know how they do it either but it seems like just your luck whether the courier ever turns up. Or not.