Safely paying for goods picked up

Janko on 05/06/2016 - 19:43
Last edited 05/06/2016 - 19:44

Just buying something on ebay, pickup only, couple of grand purchase price. Highly likely a legitimate sale but with imagination, the mafia could be involved. So whereas I not too concerned, it wouldn't hurt to pay in a way that minimises the chance of not coming home with the goods or my money (or simply not coming home).

I know it sounds ridiculous and I'll laugh after, but it's probably a good general thing to know - how best to pay when goods are being picked up?

In this case, they do accept PayPal, but my experience with PayPal has been they don't protect the buyer unless they can get money out of the seller.

Financial

Comments

  • the-mal on 05/06/2016 - 19:53
    +4

    Carrying cash is fine, just don't do anything silly. Meet in a public place, and if they ask you to meet at their house (item too large to take in public) then leave the money locked in the car until you've sighted the item.

    Honestly no one is going to rumble you for cash, it's too risky for them as you're an unknown. What if you know Kung fu? Or have a knife?

    And obviously don't go carrying heaps of cash on you for days on end, that's just tempting fate.

    If you're really worried you can see if they'll accept a bank cheque, but I think you're probably really over thinking things.

    Take precautions and watch out for red flags, but otherwise it'll be fine.

    • Janko on 05/06/2016 - 21:07

      Makes sense about the rumble. Thanks. I guess a bank cheque only gives me a real name if an investigation should occur after, but not sure how interested the police would be after the last one who investigated disappeared and was rumoured to have been minced up for pig food.

      • the-mal on 05/06/2016 - 21:58

        Ha. You can ring the bank and cancel the bank cheque before they cash it. Unless they cut off your fingers with secateurs preventing you from dialling…

        • Euphemistic on 07/06/2016 - 10:09

          You can dial a touchscreen phone with your nose…

  • Euphemistic on 05/06/2016 - 19:55

    Bikies?

  • currentfad on 05/06/2016 - 19:56
    +1

    Not sure what made you say that last line from but Paypal almost always sides with the buyer lol. The seller will lose seller protection if he sells it via pick-up.

    Anyways, take a mate with you, and if possible meet in a public area with security cameras, potential witnesses etc. Oh and do it during the day…

    • [Deactivated] on 05/06/2016 - 21:07
      +2

      PayPal buyer protection is automatically voided if the item is picked up by the buyer.

      • Janko on 05/06/2016 - 21:22

        Is that even if the seller simply doesn't show?

      • currentfad on 05/06/2016 - 21:56
        +1

        Oh yeah I just read that line:

        Your purchase is not for:
        Vehicles (including cars, motorcycles, caravans, boats and planes);
        Real estate;
        Licences;
        Sale of business;
        Custom made items considered to be “significantly not as described”;
        Industrial machinery used in manufacturing;
        Activities involving gambling, gaming and/or any other activity with an entry fee and a prize;
        Items prohibited under our Acceptable Use Policy;
        Items you collect in person or arrange to be collected on your behalf;
        Quasi-cash items such as gift cards, pre-paid cards or deal vouchers; or
        Items listed on Gumtree

        How would they know though? Curious.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/06/2016 - 22:45

          Simples.

          If PayPal suspects you've been a party to a transaction involving person to person pick up, PayPal will ask the seller to provide proof of postage.

    • Janko on 05/06/2016 - 21:21

      Personal experience with PayPal - given tracking # for $500 camera delivered 100km away, PayPal backed seller because he had postage receipt going to my postcode. But he wasn't a seller with reserved funds, so as seller didn't cop up, PayPal would have been out of pocket in refunding me. Research at the time showed PayPal often didn't back the buyer when it would cost them.

      Good tip about the mate but unfortunately it's a 7 hour drive. Trying to line someone up for a thrillseeking adventure.

      I was thinking about the public place - in my case it's hard because of the size and fragility of the item, but I just wonder if at least meeting at someone's house means there is some sort of traceable address.

  • shapers on 05/06/2016 - 22:06

    When i sell something i just meet up with them at my gym, cameras and lots of people everywhere

  • CheapskateQueen on 06/06/2016 - 23:50
    +1

    I've bought and sold a few things in person. I always meet in a public place. If they don't want to meet publicly then perhaps it's not worth the risk.

    It can be a little nerve racking because you don't know what to expect but I've been fine.

    If the person on ebay has some good seller history you should be OK. But if you're really not sure, schedule the pick up in front of a police station, concierge/security desk at Westfield/mall.

    If it's a big item they can't transport and you have to go to their house, take someone with you. Don't bring cash. Go check the item, meet the seller and get a feel for them. If things feel weird, leave and don't come back. If you're fine, go grab some cash and go back and pick it up.

  • demiurge on 08/06/2016 - 11:27

    Meet at the local police station.

  • Skramit on 08/06/2016 - 14:50

    Whenever I buy or sell something and a pickup is involved, I get my uncle who's a police office to organise SOG to escort me as a favor. Can't be too careful these days.

  • beaver2233 on 08/06/2016 - 21:30

    if you're worried, take someone else to pick it up with you.

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