Buyer requesting different payment method

[Helennn]

Successful bidder has e-mailed through e-bay asking if there is a different payment method, as paypal are not able to process his payment at this time.

Does this sound like a sort of scam? What other method of payment is there? (Am not a business so no card facilities)

Cash on collection if they are close by? Or otherwise give them a sort code and account number for a little used, empty saving account. (I use my ds's)

I've done this before, all seems fine. Just don't use you actual current/savings account.

Paypal can be vair crap at times.

Happy to be corrected but I think that Paypal is mainly there for the buyer's protection so you could accept a cheque as long as you play it safe.
Personally I'd only accept a cheque for a low value item (i.e. under £25), as long as I was absolutely certain that the buyer was based in the UK (and wants the item posted to a UK address) and I'd make sure the cheque cleared before I posted anything.
Anything high value and I'd either insist on Paypal giving the buyer a few days to sort out their issues, or if they can't do that, cancel the transaction.

Thanks, buyer miles away and unfortunately don't have an unused or empty account that I can use.

Help, was only bidder so don't want to lose him!

Is cheque an option? Obviously you'd wait for it to clear into you'd account before sending item? And send it signed for, so you can prove they got it.

bank transfer is free and you are totally safe if you receive payment that way

Postal order?

Yes, could do a cheque, or how do you do a bank transfer? How is that different to what Miss Lemon suggests?

Thanks for all your help

bank transfer you just give buyer your sort code and account number for them to transfer the money to you

Yes OP, thats all i was suggesting, a bank transfer - just to be on the safe side I only used a non used account iyswim? Just to protect myself from fraudsters really... (aware I am probably paranoid about fraudsters on e-bay)

postal order bankers draft or cheque and you wait for it to clear before posting bankers draft for anytihng over £50 as most cheques no longer guaranteed