Receiving eBay payments by bank transfer, safe?

[PoloMint]

I just sold something for about £20 including postage, with payment options of PayPal, Cheque and postal order.

The guy who bought it says he wants it in a hurry and he couldn't pay via paypal immediately as his account is new and his debit card isn't completely registered yet.

He asked if I would accept a bank transfer instead, is this a safe/good idea? What could go wrong?

I'm thinking I'll just write back and say if he wants it in a hurry then use postal order, otherwise wait for PayPal or a cheque to clear, after all that's what I had in the listing.

Any ideas?

 

[closetosoton]

that's no problems, infact its a better deal for you because you cut out the middle-man (PayPal), just wait for it to clear (4-working days, but often less unless you bank with same bank, then its same day). you'll need to send your sort, acc#, name and bank name. that's it.

i prefer it.

-cts

ps - what could go wrong, well of course if you're the paranoid type, he could get your address from eBay, then armed with all those details try and retreive money from your account... then again someone can go through you bins and get most of those details.

 

[BGonaSTICK]

LOL, yes, I think that covers it nicely.

Don't be tempted to do it round the other way by paying cash into someone else's account at a branch though. There is no electronic proof that it was you that paid it in!

 

[PoloMint]

OK thanks guys, sent him an email saying that I'll accept the transfer.

Even if I was paranoid the address he'll get from eBay isn't the one my bank account is registered to

Yes, when paying someone I don't know I always make sure there is some form of receipt with my name or details on it.

 

[BGonaSTICK]

I went to pay in cash at the sellers bank (Lloyds) for an item I'd bought on eBay once. The cashier said I was mad, as she could only give me a hand-written receipt, and that because my identity couldn't be validated, it wasn't worth the paper it was written on.


Buyer beware, but if you're a seller... fill 'yer boots!

 

[RedDevil_UK]

i paid for a DVD box set once (£30) and the bugger never sent me anything
when i re checked, it said this user is no longer registered??? the address i had was bogus too.
the actual road name didnt match the post code..... i paid by postal order.

i was so annoyed its unbelievable!! Grrrrr.

 

[Milkybarkid]

Most people say that bank transfer is safer than paypal,cheque etc.Paypal can do a chargeback,and a cheque can clear but I believe there is still a provision for the bank to reverse it again.

 

[Burnham Beech]

First rule on sending cheque to eBay seller. Always check this site for valid post code.

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/addressfinder

 

[feri25]

As a seller, never had any problelm with bank transfer or paypal. Paypal is fast (and safe) but bank transfer is cheap (and safe). So I always welcom both.

 

[gameboy]

Some advice on scams with eBay and PayPal...

Check the seller's feedback. If the seller has a history of negative feedbacks, think twice before placing a bid. Use extra caution if the seller is new, with few feedbacks.

Make certain the seller is a "Verified" member of PayPal and has been a PayPal member for at least several months. To check a seller's status, go to the "Send Money" tab and start a payment to the seller. On the "Check the details of your payment" page, before the payment is sent, click on the seller's reputation link, for instance, "Verified Premier Member." Click on the link to find more information on the seller's current membership status.

Do not send PayPal payment to any seller who claims to be "having problems." Avoid anyone who claims their PayPal account is not working and wants you to send payment through "a friend's" PayPal account or via an alternate form of payment, such as Western Union or electronic funds transfer through a bank. Do not complete the transaction, instead, report the seller to eBay as a 'Non-Selling Seller.'

Do not pay sellers with greatly delayed shipment dates. PayPal rules prohibit sellers from shipping 20 or more days after receiving payment. In fact, if a shipment is to be delayed more than a week after payment is received, the seller should have a very good reason to be suspicious.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is Be wary of sellers who offer far below market prices on hard-to-find items, or who seem to have many of the same scarce items.

Use extra caution on high-ticket, popular items. These are the favorites of scammers.

When in doubt, send an e-mail. In any dubious situation, it is wise to e-mail questions to a seller before placing a bid, particularly regarding payment and shipment terms. If a seller is offering multiples of popular or difficult-to-find items, ask for and check the legitimacy of, his supplier. If the seller says, 'No way, scram,' do just that.

More here...

_http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/news/article.php/3498156

 

[andydrew]

I just sold something for about £20 including postage, with payment options of PayPal, Cheque and postal order.

The guy who bought it says he wants it in a hurry and he couldn't pay via paypal immediately as his account is new and his debit card isn't completely registered yet.

He asked if I would accept a bank transfer instead, is this a safe/good idea? What could go wrong?

I'm thinking I'll just write back and say if he wants it in a hurry then use postal order, otherwise wait for PayPal or a cheque to clear, after all that's what I had in the listing.

Any ideas?

Bank transfer is far safer than Paypal. You can see it straight away in your account. Paypal are very likely to keep the payment for 180 days with no explanation (see paypalsucks.com). Be warned dont use them