Quickie about payment

[Cyclops]

One of my auctions has just ended. I was expecting a Paypal transaction but the buyer has just emailed me to ask for my postal address so that they can send me some money in a secure envelope because they don't have enough money in their PayPal account.

Surely the buyer should've received my address when they won the auction? And is it common practice to send a seller cash instead of using PayPal?

I'm new to selling so any insight welcome!

Many thanks.

Im new to ebay too - but I would worry that they didnt put the correct cash in the envelope. How could you ever prove otherwise once you had opened it? Not that they would do this of course but its possible.

Yes, very good point and I've just contacted the buyer to let them know that I want paying via PayPal only (so that we are both covered in the event of incorrect monies being sent).

Many thanks for your post. I'm learning!!

My concern now is that the buyer will send cash but then reply to my email and say, 'oh I've already sent cash, I didn't see your email until after I'd posted it'

If this happens, then I will take the envelope to the bank and open it with a member of staff watching cos I won't be ripped off!!!

Cyclops, through them sending cash I don't think you can be ripped off. Although I don't think it is a sensible thing to do.

Royal Mail state that cash should never be sent by post except using one of their special delivery services.

They buyer can not prove to ebay that they have paid for the item if they send cash. If you do not receive the money or don't recieve the correct money, you do not have to send the item.

I wouldn't have thought they'd have posted the letter yet so hopefully they will see you email before they do.

I think it is unusual for people to send cash. The most common method of payment is paypal unless it is a collection only item in which case most people pay cash when they collect.

The buyer has paid by PayPal after, so no worries!

tutu - thanks for your post, it's always good to be well informed about these matters and yes, I see your point about the buyer also not (necessarily) being able to prove how much money they have sent - this is why PayPal is a much better option!