"Send me your PayPal details so I can avoid paying eBay"

[AndDeepBreath]

... Made an offer on a buy it now or offers item, they've messaged saying yes to the lower price but send my PayPal details directly so they avoid paying eBay. Does anyone know if this is legal/a good idea?!

Buyers don't pay ebay a fee!! Just sellers do.

Don't allow this. You won't have any protection if it goes wrong.

Thank you CocktailQueen! Thought it might be a bit dodgy, but new to it all will avoid!

If the seller invoices you then you will have Paypal protection when you pay (arguably better than Ebay protection).

But that said, it's all unsavoury. As a seller I have big resentments against Ebay HQ but not because they charge ridiculous fees. If they cheat Ebay, the might well cheat you too.

I always accept lower prices in a private sale.

You are protected via PayPal regardless.

Rules schmules.

you won't have any protection if
it goes wrong.

Not true.

As long as you mark your payment as "goods and services", not "friends or family", you still get PayPal buyer protection.

Not that I'm advising purchasing goods off eBay, I'm just saying.....

Weird! I got this last week too, don't do it, dodgy

Behooven, why do you think it's dodgy?

Sorry, just seen these other replies!

So it's ok then as long as they invoice as goods and services?

I am still interested in the item so that would be great!

Dodgy? Lmao, it's not dodgy, it's just desperate sellers trying to avoid eBays ever growing fees.
As has been said above as long as the item is paid for with Goods and Services you are completely protected for 180 days.

Thanks Sisters probably once you've used eBay for a while you know this stuff - I'm brand new though - grateful for everyone's replies!

I thought paypal was 45 days? Has that changed too?

Yes PayPal changed a while ago (over a year?) it's 189 days now.

180, not 189. Stupid fat fingers!

Wow that's an improvement! maybe not for the sleepless seller

Yep 180. Sellers keep hold of those tracking details because unscrupulous buyers will bank on you throwing them out after a few weeks.

Although how the seller will argue against a Not As Described case 6 months down the line when the listing vanished months ago will be interesting to see.

I suspect it will be more 'not received' cases, though I wouldn't sell electric goods now as if they give up the ghost you could find yourself refunding after months of hard use.