Buying off Gumtree through PayPal via a "Secure Method"

Matcha Milk Tea on 27/08/2019 - 22:45
Last edited 28/08/2019 - 13:40

So im buying something off gumtree ~$80 from a seller in another state (yes i have read the previous posts made by other ozbargainers) and he has told me that i can set PayPal so that the funds don’t get released until tracking id is supplied. Is this a safer way? if so how exactly do i do that because after clicking send money and "paying for an item or service" i dont see any option that allows me to do so.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Edit: looks like the decision is pretty obvious to not for it. Thank you all for the help (love you spal :3)

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Comments

  • ladybug1 on 27/08/2019 - 22:53
    +17

    When you don't know this person, how does it help if tracking ID is supplied? You don't know what's in it.

  • altomic on 27/08/2019 - 23:13
    +11

    I'll send you a tracking number for $40.

  • toblerone21 on 28/08/2019 - 00:04
    +6

    0 paypal protection on gumtree, no matter what payment method you send him 'goods and services' won't protect you on there either. Ask them to list it up on eBay, otherwise you should move on

    • I Smell Pennies on 28/08/2019 - 21:21

      as toblerone21 said, paypal should only be used right in front of the seller face to face when buying the item, or cash

  • garetz on 28/08/2019 - 00:15
    +7

    There is no secure method to buy from gumtree unless you meet in person, check the item in question, then hand over the method. Even then you are risking being robbed.

    just them telling you paypal allows funds being released after tracking info is provided sounds like they are trying to scam you.

    • Blitzfx on 28/08/2019 - 00:46
      +1

      Imagine buying a block of wood for $80

  • spal on 28/08/2019 - 05:29
    +1

    Well if you can afford to loose $80, go for it. For $80, I doubt a scammer would gain much. But as others said tracking doesn’t mean anything. You can also wait for something coming up closer to where you live. Does it shows their Gummie history.

    • JIMB0 on 28/08/2019 - 09:31
      +4

      $80 would be a lot of money to some of the low life people on gumtree.

      • vikvance on 28/08/2019 - 09:54
        +1

        Even $10 would be enough incentive for them to try to scam people.

  • abear on 28/08/2019 - 07:51
    +2

    You could also do COD via Australia Post

  • mshanann on 28/08/2019 - 09:00
    +2

    Not everyone is a crook.

    I'd take a look at how long their account has been on gumtree for and whether they have linked there account with paypal :

    https://www.paypal.com/au/smarthelp/article/how-do-i-pay-for…

    If the account has been around for a number of years, is linked to paypal, you have a mobile number you can reach them ahead of time and quickly chat to confirm the purchase, then maybe it is worth the risk (should you be getting a really good deal). If you can buy the same item in person for $10 or $20 more, then that is a no-brainer as well.

  • John on 28/08/2019 - 09:34

    I know in the past paypal holds the fund for 28 days or something before the seller can cash it in (in case of dispute), unless its a reputable seller. So make sure you receive and check goods within that time period as its more likely you can still recover the funds if you are not getting the goods as described.

  • lvagg59 on 28/08/2019 - 09:39

    No buyer protection with Gumtree so I wouldn't do it myself.

  • Hithere on 28/08/2019 - 09:53
    +2

    Gumtree is for face to face selling/buying only and CASH only.

    Too many scammers and Paypal scams to do anything else.

  • DingoBilly on 28/08/2019 - 10:22

    You have no security in any way - and given how scummy Paypal is, I'd rather just lose the money in cash versus losing the money and helping Paypal out as well.

  • ngengerous on 28/08/2019 - 10:46
    +4

    I've purchased off Gumtree via PayPal with no issue before. Granted it can be dodgy if you're naive, but if you run through a few checks you should be fine:

    • Less likely to be a scam with a more niche product rather than something like an iPhone or PS4
    • If the account has been around for a while/is linked with a mobile number
    • If you can call and speak to the person beforehand

    Contrary to popular belief, most people are generally good people just looking to flog some stuff out without being sapped dry by eBay fees.

    • SlavOz on 28/08/2019 - 20:20

      Thanks for a voice of reason. I'm a firm believer in karma - how you treat others or even view the world is often how it will be treat you back. I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and see the good in them, and even though I've taken some stupid risks online I've never been scammed.

  • seraphim2017 on 28/08/2019 - 10:58
    +2

    if you trust them, pay, if you don't trust them, don't pay.

    Gumtree is for face to face and cash only.

    Saying that, I sold a bag last week to someone in victoria, they paid via bank transfer and I posted the bag with sendle the day after funds cleared, which took a day. Currently awaiting for another bank transfer to clear before posting a tool to brisbane, will do same again. Then again, I'm an honest seller and would prefer to have face to face/.cash if possible!

    edit: the bag buyer was over the moon with the item, so sendle seems to work ok!

  • spal on 28/08/2019 - 13:23
    +1

    Another poster missing in action? Create a post for advice, but not contribute or thank people for taking time to contribute. It is as if they never required any advise anyway.
    I see in this case, this post is 14 hours old now, with no further acknowledgement by OP. However, he/she has commented on another post couple of hours back. So, they had enough time to be on OzB.
    Happy to help, but it is not nice to not be thankful for free help. Online is not much different in real life. It is expected that one will show basic courtesies of human exchange.

    • Matcha Milk Tea on 28/08/2019 - 13:33
      +1

      I dont know what else to say besides "Wont go for the deal. thanks for the input". The comments have made it pretty clear of what path i should take

      • spal on 28/08/2019 - 13:52
        +1

        Thank you for coming back and commenting. Usually people would like to know if the suggestions are working for you. There are a number of threads where lots of members contribute, but the original poster doesn't says a thing.

        • Matcha Milk Tea on 28/08/2019 - 13:59

          Will take your input to heart. I didn't respond to most since they were the same advice but worded differently. Saying thanks to each individual one seemed a bit repetitive.

  • ngengerous on 28/08/2019 - 16:58
    +1

    Can we ask what the item was? If it's a fairly uncommon item, it is much more likely to be a legit seller.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/08/2019 - 18:57

    Gumtree is made for picking up bulky local crap, ebay is for stuff of actual value

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