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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

Buyer can't pay on eBay and wants my PayPal address?

34 replies

QueenMortificado · 12/06/2017 09:20

I've sold an item (just a dress for £14) and the buyer has contacted me to say she's unable to pay via eBay and has asked for my direct PayPal address

Googling this looks like a scam as the seller then receives an official looking email saying funds have been deposited (even though that haven't) and to ship the item. However, if I just check the PayPal balance surely I'd know that it's been paid and this should be safe?

Has anyone come across this before?

OP posts:
moutonfou · 12/06/2017 09:24

When I did some freelance work I would have people pay me by giving them my PayPal email address. As you can say, you can check the funds have been deposited before sending. I'd think (unless they had really low ambitions) that scammers would pick a higher value item to try their luck on :)

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 12/06/2017 09:25

Thanks Mout, that's what I was thinking! There's no way someone can scam you just with your PayPal address right?

If I do it I'll check the funds have been paid; and also I'll send it recorded delivery just to be sure

OP posts:
sooperdooper · 12/06/2017 09:25

You use PayPal to pay via eBay so that makes no sense, if she has PayPal she can pay via eBay Confused

ImaLannister · 12/06/2017 22:56

If she's asking for your paypal address or ID (which has to be your email address) then course she can pay via eBay! Coz she obvs has paypal. So what the hell is she on about? She's talking shit.
And this rings alarm bells. I wouldn't do it. But if wot happens she can't go through eBay but can go through Paypal - if she selects pay for goods. If she selects friends & family then she isn't protected. Up to you.

ladyyyglittersparkles · 12/06/2017 22:58

Definitely a scam

purplenessy · 12/06/2017 22:58

I sold something to a buyer in Germany. She had this trouble, and paid me directly. It didn't occur to me that there was anything wrong with it

ImaLannister · 12/06/2017 22:58

But if something happens that was meant to say**

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 12/06/2017 23:18

Well I gave her my email and she has paid me the amount via PayPal so all seems to be ok!

OP posts:
ImaLannister · 12/06/2017 23:32

Did she pay for it as goods and services or friends & family?
Yeah it could be ok like you say. But I don't get why she didn't wanna do it thru ebay.

HeyRoly · 12/06/2017 23:35

Sounds dodgy. There must be a reason why she wanted to pay you outside of eBay - possibly to circumvent the protection that eBay offers you as a seller?

I mean, how exactly was she "unable" to pay you via eBay? eBay redirects to PayPal.

Anyway, I hope that's the last you hear from her.

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 12/06/2017 23:38

Ebay doesn't actually offer you any protection as a seller, however I've personally had loads of problems getting my payment set up on eBay so it may be that

I'm sending the item recorded delivery and as a PP says it's £14 so unlikely to be crime of the century

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 12/06/2017 23:49

I wouldn't do it. There is no reason she can't check out through ebay with Paypal. Say no.

sooperdooper · 13/06/2017 18:38

It's either dodgy or she's a bit dim, you use paypal when you click through to pay on eBay, weird

specialsubject · 13/06/2017 18:40

The PayPal and eBay link does play up at times, so you could contact eBay to check. I wouldn't send otherwise.

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 13/06/2017 19:43

The money is in my account!!!

OP posts:
LorLorr2 · 13/06/2017 19:52

It's a weird request, but I suppose if you received the money that's the main thing. If she did it through Paypal's 'friends and family' option then you've even got a little more than you would have it she'd paid through ebay, because you avoided seller charges :-)

EpoxyResin · 13/06/2017 19:57

I bought something through eBay lately for a "buy it now" price. The seller had listed it as collection only but we negotiated postage instead. As the seller couldn't change the listing I couldn't pay the extra through eBay so had to ask for their PayPal address. Curious as to why the buyer couldn't pay through eBay in your case though?

EpoxyResin · 13/06/2017 20:00

Could the potential scam be that she could get the money refunded through PayPal and there would be nothing you could do about it, because technically you didn't sell through eBay the end (and circumvented their fees), and they're the ones who offer the various protections/dispute resolutions etc.? I don't know how easy it is to get money back if you transfer "friends and family" - I guess time will tell, but I wouldn't be too worried.

flibberdee · 13/06/2017 20:00

Nooooo! IIRC they send a fake email to your email account with a click link that makes it look like you've been paid.
Please be careful OP. It may be legit but it sounds like a scam

EyeHalveASpellingChequer · 13/06/2017 20:04

Have you logged onto paypal.com (not by clicking a link) and checked that it's been sent?

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 13/06/2017 20:09

I have logged on to PayPal and checked there - they money is in my account!

OP posts:
LilQueenie · 13/06/2017 20:14

did she pay via friends and family or goods? If not by goods you have no seller protection and they can still do a chargeback. As it didnt go through ebay you have no way to fight it. This has been the longest running scam on ebay since it began.

zombiesarecoming · 13/06/2017 20:23

Did she send you paypal payment as friends and family or goods and services ?, if goods and services then log into paypal and upload the tracking info direct to paypal so they have a traceable method logged against the payment received, may help you if she is trying something funny as they then have access to the tracking info so can see it has been delivered

Original poster
QueenMortificado · 13/06/2017 20:53

Ok just checked - it's sent as a gift, not as goods

So I should email her and refund the money, ask her to pay it properly or I will cancel the sale and relist the item? Can she still leave bad feedback if so?

OP posts:
LilQueenie · 13/06/2017 20:57

honestly I would refund and ask her to pay via ebay. Ebay rules state no off ebay deals for a reason. then if she doesnt pay open a dispute but you may have to wait 3 days to do that. she can leave neg feedback but careful wording may mean it can be removed.