Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How can I best protect myself in this transaction?

67 replies

christmaspuddingoverload · 19/03/2018 10:38

Good people of MN I need your help please!

I am not the most financially savvy person and as a result tend to be fairly cautious. I'm not quite as bad as my SIL who never shops online as people might see her bank details, but anyway..

I've seen a large furniture item I'd like to buy. It's about 250 miles from me. The seller is a small business and offers payment by bank transfer or PayPal (friends) only. As I'm spending nearly £1000 I'd hoped to pay by credit card as my understanding is that offers more protection. However I don't think that's an option by either of the above?

So in my position wwyd? Take a chance and pay by bank transfer? Or just hope the item comes up elsewhere with a seller who will take credit cards?!

OP posts:
FanSpamTastic · 19/03/2018 11:10

Cash on collection - go and see it and take it home with you if you like it. If necessary hire a van.

allmycats · 19/03/2018 11:14

Yes you can drive to collect it - you just choose not to. You would not need an overnight stay etc. Set off at 7.00am be there for 12.00noon.
Transaction and a break = 1 hour and then set back off at 1.00pm - you
can then drive back at your own pace stopping when you want.

Cost less than loosing £1000

Jon66 · 19/03/2018 11:15

Drive up and take a look. 250 miles isn't far, 4 hours. Otherwise don't bother, too risky.

SouthernComforts · 19/03/2018 11:18

I'm won't use PayPal since someone was able to set up an account in my name with my stolen card details and make a purchase online. PayPal refused to refund the money, or give me any details of the purchase, all they offered to do was block the account. So I'm not sure what the protection mentioned here is.

Original poster
christmaspuddingoverload · 19/03/2018 11:20

I know my limitations and I couldn't do that drive safely in a day. I don't have anyone I could take with me.

Like I said if there's no safer payment option which there doesn't seem to be I will just leave it. I don't want to risk the money but spending another £300-400 to collect it makes it less of a bargain.

OP posts:
sundayfeeling · 19/03/2018 11:20

Please do not, under any circumstances pay 'Friends and family". You are running a huge risk of losing your money.
Tell the seller you will only pay 'Goods and services'. If the decline, move on and don't buy from them.
Any respectable business will only accept "goods and services' payment because it's also protecting them from fraudulent buyers.

BaronessEllaSaturday · 19/03/2018 11:21

What's the item and can we help you find it closer

Original poster
christmaspuddingoverload · 19/03/2018 11:22

Southern, that's awful. I'm sure I've heard similar about PayPal before. I've only ever used it on low value transactions where there was no payment alternative.

OP posts:
Original poster
christmaspuddingoverload · 19/03/2018 11:24

It's a velvet sofa. I'm a bit reluctant to give too many details as I don't want to offend the seller. I do think they probably are genuine and as a newish business just aren't set up for customers who aren't local. I just can't afford to take the risk.

OP posts:
Avasarala · 19/03/2018 11:25

@SouthernComforts

Buyer protection - if you buy something and pay with PayPal, then the item doesn't arrive, you tell PayPal. The seller needs to show proof of delivery - if they can't show that, then PayPal refunds you and will then chase the seller for the money. So even if the seller wants to refuse to pay, you still get the money back directly from PayPal and they can get debt agencies onto the seller to get their money back.

It's actually a really good way to pay; my customers can use PayPal or debit/credit card and around 80% choose PayPal.

What happened to you is totally different, and not the fault of the seller so PayPal probably didn't want to give the money back. They totally should have, but that's why it's different. If your card was stolen and you told the bank, then surely they would refund you for any payments using those card details?

SouthernComforts · 19/03/2018 11:25

It really pissed me off. The bank said speak to PayPal and PayPal said speak to the bank. I never got the money back.. it was a low value 'test' transaction, luckily not my main bank account and I spotted it straight away.

So, I now won't bank with Barclays or use PayPal anymore.

CotswoldStrife · 19/03/2018 11:27

I didn't think you were protected if you pay by the Friends method on PayPal so would only use it for relatively low amounts. Not the cost of a sofa! But if other posters are saying there is some protection, they are probably more up to date than me.

SouthernComforts · 19/03/2018 11:28

Ava, I understand what your saying, just offering my experience of PayPal.

I wasn't aware my details had been cloned/stolen until the PayPal transaction. I still had my debit card. Still not sure when or where the card was cloned but obviously cancelled the card then closed the account after neither the bank or PayPal could recover the money.

Avasarala · 19/03/2018 11:28

If they're a new business, then they maybe aren't fully aware of their responaibilites and restrictions with PayPal.

Send them an email explaining the terms and conditions and for that reason, you'll pay by "goods and services" for item plus delivery fee. They can then decide to be professional or say no - you either get the item with buyer protection or you keep looking. Either way, no loss to you. There's really no harm in asking them.

Avasarala · 19/03/2018 11:32

@SouthernComforts

That's really disgraceful. For a low amount, they should have just refunded you as a goodwill showing. The banks always go on about keeping an eye on activity and reporting anything suspiscous, yet when you report a fraudulent transaction they just say "sorry, can't help". That's just bad service.

Sorry someone did that to you!

MacaroniPenguin · 19/03/2018 11:33

Do look at the overall package. Say it'll cost you £200 to collect, is the item worth £1200 to you? If a new one is £2k you still stand to save £800 for the sake of a few hours' driving. I've paid £60 for delivery of a £30 table because to me, that perfectly sized table was worth more than £90. But if it's too expensive or too much hassle on balance, fair enough.

Also offset the hours of driving with the hours you will continue to spend on the internet looking for the next affordable one!

pengymum · 19/03/2018 11:34

National Express or Megabus do cheap coach tickets if you’re on a suitable route, then maybe a cheap Travelodge room, look at it & if all ok, hire a van or arrange a courier delivery?

Definitely don’t pay by bank transfer or Paypal without a legitimate invoice/receipt.

MacaroniPenguin · 19/03/2018 11:35

Sorry crossposted

IhaveChillyToes · 19/03/2018 11:36

I would not do it

Certainly not that kind of money

Are there any family or friends that live nearer that could go to see it?

SouthernComforts · 19/03/2018 11:37

Ava - exactly, it was the principle of it. They were totally uninterested in refunding it or pursuing it. So, if I can't trust them with a tenner I certainly can't trust them with larger amounts!

Anyway sorry for the detail OP.

Hermesgrrrrr · 19/03/2018 11:40

.

Glumglowworm · 19/03/2018 11:46

Don’t use PayPal friends and family, you won’t have the same protections

I’ve used it for small amounts to small businesses that I’ve used many times before and trust (and the amounts have been under a tenner so worst case scenario would be losing a few quid). I wouldn’t use it for £1000 to any business and I wouldn’t use it to a business I didn’t already know and trust

bridgetreilly · 19/03/2018 11:48

Tbh, I'd keep looking and find a piece of furniture you like from a seller who accepts credit cards.

Finderscrispy · 19/03/2018 11:57

Offer to pay the PayPal fee if you pay the regular way, about 3%. £30 for £1000. It’s the fee they’re trying to dodge if otherwise legit.

Pay PayPal using your credit card.

Protection from PayPal and credit card that way.

KanyeWesticle · 19/03/2018 11:57

Offer paypal goods and services only. If they say no, 1) walk away and 2) tell paypal to look into them

Swipe left for the next trending thread