[Solved] Selling a Car - Is PayPal Safe?

Irrelevancy on 18/01/2022 - 09:21
Last edited 19/01/2022 - 20:56 by 1 other user

Hi everyone

I'm selling a car, and an interstate buyer has contacted me and offered a really good price. He has offered to pay via bank deposit or PayPal (my choice) and have the vehicle freighted across at his cost.

Wondering if there is a possible of this being a scam - the fact that he offered a good price without wanting to negotiate makes me suss (having said that I was listing it below market value for a quick sale).

Also I honestly can't think of any other method an interstate buyer would purchase something high value, so he payment offerings seem legit.

Any tips on how to make sure I avoid getting scammed?

Regards
Sing

Automotive

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Comments

  • Irrelevancy on 18/01/2022 - 09:27
    +28

    Thanks all, read through more posts that are similar and will ignore this offer

  • Dlw on 18/01/2022 - 09:22
    +86

    It’s a scam

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/01/2022 - 09:24
    +23

    dont.

  • Master Bates on 18/01/2022 - 09:24
    +13

    Very likely a scam. Please share the exact wording they sent you, it usually follows a very clear pattern.

  • FocusRider on 18/01/2022 - 09:29

    Lol

    • cashews on 20/01/2022 - 19:42

      Terrible advice.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2022 - 20:13
        +2

        Once the money is cleared, it's yours. It's rare for a scammer to actually pay real money and have it clear. The scam usually starts long before that. If you have the money, it is cleared, and is available for you to transfer, then there's no way for them to get it back.

        As I said, there are multiple ways it could still be a scam. Fake screenshots of a deposit. Fake check that appears, but does not clear, then overpaying and asking for the overpayment to be sent to a third party, or asking to pay the "courier" after the deposit shows in the account, but has not cleared yet.

        Despite all the pile ons negs, other people said the same thing below and got positives, including myself. It shows how little people read or understand how these things work. That's why they're so easy to fool in the first place.

  • Muzeeb on 18/01/2022 - 09:31
    +15

    Accept payment by your preferred method.

    Report back in a week.

    grabs milky way fun size share pack

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 18/01/2022 - 09:40
      +14

      grabs milky way fun size share pack

      I see you are also a person of culture.

      • Muzeeb on 18/01/2022 - 10:51
        +2

        I don't drink or smoke so I like to spoil myself occasionally.

        • Carmen Sandiego on 20/01/2022 - 15:13

          Yayy another human with the same lifestyle as me :D

          I'm partial to the Violet Crumble bags :)

        • he11bent on 20/01/2022 - 15:14

          Only the finest Colombian for our friend here instead lol

    • Pecan on 18/01/2022 - 10:09
      +7

      There’s nothing “fun” about those tiny chocolate bars. If they were footlong milky way bars, that would be fun bowchikawowow

  • MrThing on 18/01/2022 - 09:34
    +5

    So much nope.avi

    I am always surprised how people can be on the fence for such obvious scams

    • bondy28 on 18/01/2022 - 09:48
      +31

      He wants to sell the car and needs reinforcement that declining a sale is the right course of action. Work on your EQ, you will be less surprised moving forward. Sorry OP, avoid this buyer like the plague… as you already know…

      • capslock janitor on 19/01/2022 - 20:32
        +2

        i like u

      • MrThing on 19/01/2022 - 20:39
        -4

        there is a "is this a scam" posted almost weekly on oz-fools, how people are still asking about paypal, courier, western union, prince from nigeria, I live on an oil rig post me the car, send payment in google gift cards, cheque, ebay charge back, ebay empty box with a brick in it return scams.

        doesnt say anything about my EQ, but the drop dead stupidness of the average person

      • capslock janitor on 20/01/2022 - 00:56
        +1

        How to work on/increase EQ?

        • Minimum chips on 20/01/2022 - 08:21
          +4

          Just put a few points in it when you level up. Don’t let it be a dump stat.

        • greatlamp on 21/01/2022 - 16:35
          +1

          The aim is to consider life in the shoes of people with different life experience to you.

          You could read well regarded novels, or watch well written TV series that show characters with different points of view surrounding the same topic, the Wire, and Deadwood are examples.

    • Herbse on 19/01/2022 - 20:35
      +1

      There's a first time for everyone.

      However with so much information literally at our fingertips. The first thing we should always do before doing something we haven't done before, is a quick google search to see what could go wrong.

      • Euphemistic on 20/01/2022 - 10:38

        This is the thing. Too many people pop on and ask a question then wait around to get a response when they could quite easily get an instant response by using google first.

        • WT on 20/01/2022 - 12:21

          google? wtf is a google

    • Kennofish on 21/01/2022 - 11:10

      Something else you may be surprised about. 4% of people consistently click on phishing links. Cast a big enough net and you'll find someone to fall for your scams.

  • Quantumcat on 18/01/2022 - 09:44
    +14

    They will probably "accidentally" send you too much, or send you extra for the freight and ask you to send the extra on to the "freight company" (ie the scammer). The bank transfer will be a fake screenshot OR from a stolen account. If a stolen/hacked account the whole amount will get taken back at some point by the bank and you'll lose whatever you sent to the "freight company".

  • Hithere on 18/01/2022 - 09:46
    +1

    Buying a car, unseen, offers to pay top dollar, now what can go wrong?

    One of the oldest scams in the book.

    Run away OP

    • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2022 - 09:49
      +2

      Below market price is top dollar?

      • Hithere on 18/01/2022 - 10:08
        -1

        Top dollar was the price OP advertised the car at. They expected buyer to haggle them down.

        • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2022 - 10:13
          +2

          They set the price below market price for a quick sale. They're probably posting on another forum asking if the price is too good to be true and a scam.

    • LowRange on 21/01/2022 - 19:26

      I done that lol

  • Ryanek on 18/01/2022 - 09:46
    +1

    Large sales should be done in cash or bank cheque only.

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 18/01/2022 - 11:36
      +1

      I recall one bank having the ability to cancel a bank cheque…?

      ANZ have it on their site.

      • Ryanek on 18/01/2022 - 15:49

        This has been discussed in length here

        • SlickMick on 19/01/2022 - 12:00

          Wow there were a few opinionated users quite abusive of anyone who pointed out that they were incorrect. I'm not sorry we don't see them around any more.
          I think we need to redo the discussion and see if we can keep it civil, and maybe accurate, this time.

    • miicah on 20/01/2022 - 12:49

      I just bought a motorcycle and a car with bank transfers.

      • Ryanek on 20/01/2022 - 14:10

        The thing with bank transfers is someone has to bear the trust.

        If you're the seller, do you wait for the funds to clear before handing off the car?
        If you're the buyer, are you willing to transfer the funds before getting the car?

        Both scenarios can end in bad news.

  • holdenmg on 18/01/2022 - 10:08
    +1

    colour me surprised that there isn't a person in the whole of Melbourne that would buy OP's car for mucho dinero, and probably some Australian money too…

  • star-ggg on 18/01/2022 - 10:12

    Bank deposit is fine. Wait for the money to hit your account. The 2nd hand market is very expensive right now. Are you sure you listed it at the "market price"?

    • WT on 19/01/2022 - 12:27
      -2

      you also should transfer/cash it out first and be prepared to loose that account if they try to recoup the funds

      • Antikythera on 20/01/2022 - 01:58

        not sure why you're being downvoted. I'd create a new account and use it for this single transaction.

        • trapper on 20/01/2022 - 11:07

          He's getting downvoted because this will not work.

          The money will still be taken back, you will just end up with an account with a huge negative balance being charged interest and other overdraft fees.

          • anzacpaul on 21/01/2022 - 13:20

            @trapper: This never happens when people get scammed though? ie, you get scammed, contact your bank and they tell you their unable to recoup the funds.

            I've never heard of another bank giving back money and putting a persons account into the negative.

            • trapper on 21/01/2022 - 17:39

              @anzacpaul: The bank will reverse a fraudulent transaction.

              But not one that you made willingly, even if you later claim you were tricked or scammed.

  • pharkurnell on 18/01/2022 - 10:14
    +2

    an interstate buyer has contacted me and offered a really good price

    The alarm bells are exploding

  • JimmyF on 18/01/2022 - 10:16
    +4

    I'm selling a car, and an interstate buyer has contacted me and offered a really good price. He has offered to pay via bank deposit or PayPal (my choice) and have the vehicle freighted across at his cost.

    Moved on from oil rigs I see :)

    • upended on 18/01/2022 - 13:05

      Also moved on from a remote location in WA :)

  • pegaxs on 18/01/2022 - 10:18
    +4

    What was their reason for being interstate? There is always a reason. Was it “Covid” or are they with the “airforce” or on a FIFO “mine site”, perhaps on an “oil rig”?

    • vinnychase on 18/01/2022 - 12:39
      +4

      astronaut, (cosmonaut if Russian)

  • freefall101 on 18/01/2022 - 10:19
    +2

    If you're selling it below market price you'll have no problem selling it, just wait for a local offer. I've been hunting around for a car lately, there's very little that people are pricing reasonably at the moment (and they get snapped up in seconds)

  • Euphemistic on 18/01/2022 - 10:26

    Unless it’s a rare/special car of some sort don’t entertain someone who won’t come and visit to check it out. Why would a buyer risk an unseen car plus paying for freight when they could get the same car for similar price within their local area.

  • djones145 on 18/01/2022 - 10:26
    +1

    should continue
    just to waste his time
    and save someone else from getting scammed

    then you receive the money….. oops

    • tonsta on 19/01/2022 - 19:35
      +3

      I always tell these guys to pickup at my work, then list a police station as the pickup address.

  • dtxau on 18/01/2022 - 10:30

    Cant you do bank deposit and then wait for funds to appear in your account?

    • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 10:38
      +2

      "Appear" does not mean the money can be taken out. You want "cleared" and even then there have been posts in the past of the money being returned.

      Better to create a new account just of the transfer and then when the money is available then transfer it to your main account and when it is in the main account you then know it is yours (*) assuming that it is not from some illegal transfer method like a stolen card etc as then you may still be liable.

      • Blackadda on 18/01/2022 - 13:40
        +1

        Sorry how can someone reverse a bank transfer.
        We get people who have been scammed who cant undo it how can the scammers if it's already in my account (presuming its cleared unless a cheque)

        • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 16:08

          Search ox bargain for previous posts on this. The keywords are "Appear" and "cleared" are not the same thing.

          • Blackadda on 18/01/2022 - 19:43

            @AndyC1: so basically scammer depositing via dodgy cheque? that's the only way it makes sense to me unless there's other dodgy ways they can do this electronically?

            • Quantumcat on 19/01/2022 - 07:29

              @Blackadda: Also if the account is hacked or stolen, the money can be returned. It can't be returned if you transferred the money yourself from your own account (even if you are tricked into doing so).

        • gromit on 19/01/2022 - 17:51

          Fraudulent payments can be reversed. E.g account stolen or hacked or they simply report the transaction as fraud, in those circumstances you don't get to keep the money.

      • trapper on 20/01/2022 - 11:09

        Any fraudulent payment will be reversed, it doesn't matter if it's 'cleared' or what ever other status the funds are in.

  • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 10:35

    If you "Also I honestly can't think of any other method an interstate buyer would purchase something high value, so he payment offerings seem legit." then do it.

    If you want to be careful then search oz bargain for previous interstate car sales and read up on the scams.

  • randomusername2017 on 18/01/2022 - 10:45

    Member Since 19/07/2017

    Wonder if their eBay account was hijacked too…

  • KaTst3R on 18/01/2022 - 10:59
    +1

    The scammer will likely say "overseas now cant see but happy to pay your your asking price via bank deposit or paypal. Cousin will come and pickup the vehicle once deposit made". Tell him/her Cash or no deal. He/She will just leave you alone.

    • holdenmg on 18/01/2022 - 13:24
      +1

      Every time I want to play "Deal or No Deal" I just have to list something on Gumtree and a few moments later an opponent will contact you. :+)

    • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 16:10
      +1

      And also the one about transferring too much and requesting the additional money back when it was done via a dodgy check or stolen credit card.

  • mreddie on 18/01/2022 - 13:09
    +1

    Don't do it, massive scam

    • AndyC1 on 18/01/2022 - 16:14

      Are you sure? Op has been a member since 19/07/2017 and has seen many posts like this and he is still a believer in the scam and thinks that once the money "appears" in the account then the money cannot be taken back….. another believer and did not lean anything from the BRC stuff that came out of the graves.

  • he11bent on 18/01/2022 - 16:16
    +2

    About as legit as Vitalik offering you 3 ETH if you sent 0.5 ETH to his address.

  • cashless on 18/01/2022 - 16:26
    +4

    Probably a scam, but I sold a car last year interstate and it all went pretty well.
    The buyer in my case was a dealer in WA (who I checked out pretty thoroughly).
    They paid by bank transfer to my account, which cleared and I switched straight to another account to avoid a reversal.
    All paperwork was done by email.
    They arranged a pick-up from my house using a car courier service, I waved it goodbye and job done.

    • Quantumcat on 19/01/2022 - 07:30
      +3

      Switching to another account won't stop a reversal, it would just make your account go negative and probably throw in a dishonour fee

      • cashless on 20/01/2022 - 09:05
        +1

        In my case I switched to another bank, so would love to see how the buyer could reverse their transaction and put my original account into overdraft. They would have to do all the explaining and wear the fees, not me.

        In talking to the buyer in my case, they buy about 5 to 10 cars per month in the same way (check the classifieds, look for low km cars, make offer, pay by bank transfer, arrange for collection using courier, re-sell).
        It seems quite a common process, so I question all the harbingers of doom on this thread with the cry for "cash only".
        I strongly recommend being thorough in your preparation, check the buyer out, make sure you have the funds cleared and safe before the car is released. All simple stuff really.

        • Quantumcat on 20/01/2022 - 09:09

          If it is a fake cheque or stolen/hacked account the bank can reverse it. If you know them personally and know their address and some of their friends and family, it is much less likely, but it is something that can happen. In either case, transferring to a different bank account achieves nothing. The bank will take back the money if they want to, and you've spent extra time on it.

    • BigBirdy on 19/01/2022 - 08:14
      +1

      If you switched the funds to a different account at the same bank, the bank will just take it back. If you switched it to another bank, be prepared to explain your action to the police, and cough still it up. If you are the receiver of stolen funds, just like stolen property, you are required to return it, regardless of whether you no longer have the car or whatever you were selling.

      • capslock janitor on 19/01/2022 - 20:37
        +1

        such risk

        cash is king

      • parsimonious one on 20/01/2022 - 09:47

        sure, i get what you are saying but how does one make a bank transfer from a credit card (stolen or not)?

        i am genuinely curious…

        i realise a person can withdraw cash from a credit card account as a cash advance, but can you transfer from credit card to a bank account?

  • Waltervp on 19/01/2022 - 08:05

    Standard scam.

  • ozboygsl on 19/01/2022 - 08:25

    dont use paypal.

  • OzHunterNSW on 19/01/2022 - 14:33
    -6

    Of course he has to pay for carting the vehicle away.

    Go via PayPal… wait till all is cleared into your account b4 signing any car over OR allowing it to be driven away.

    Remember that…. do NOT allow the car to be driven AWAY until all funds are clear.

    Check their drivers licence to PayPal details…. you have to double check that you are selling to the guy depositing the money. Are they one and the same. Watch for fraudulent "photoshop" images.

    Main thing is Licence NUMBER… then visit you local Police Station and have them check the details they have on record to those the guy professes to be.

    Remember…. do not let the vehicle out of your sight until all has been checked.
    Do not agree to anything otherwise… like the tow truck guy can only do it tomorrow.
    And don't you place yourself in any situation. Tell the guy the vehicle will be parked out upon the street and it is his responsibility to collect from there.

    • Herbse on 19/01/2022 - 18:57
      +3

      PayPal is the worst form of payment for anything of high value.

      • Buyer will claim item not received: seller looses all money
      • Buyer claims item is faulty or not as described: seller will have to refund all money or try to figure out some sort of solution to resolve it, which will end up in lost money
      • Buyer has used a hacked PayPal account: the real owner forms out, claims the account was stolen and funds will to back to them. Seller looses all money
      • Buyer has used a stolen credit card to pay for the car: owner of credit card gets money back. Sellers accoutn gets charged and seller looses all money
      • Buyer sends a fake PayPal email claiming money has been sent: people fall for this.

      There's just too many options for scanning with PayPal and it's not worth it.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2022 - 20:18

        PayPal is the worst, even if you know the person, and can 100% trust them. First, the fees. Second, if you receive a large amount, PayPal will flag it and hold it. You will then be subject to various checks from PayPal, and they will likely try to hold onto it for six months, then they might release the funds, or might not, and you will need to contact AFCA.

        • Herbse on 20/01/2022 - 20:27
          +1

          PayPal has its flaws but it's infrastructure and buyer/seller protection made trading on the internet much safer and convenient than when it wasn't around.

          Paying a fee to be able to sell something to someone who would otherwise not buy it because they are insterstate or overseas opened up businesses that didn't exist before and allowed people to sell things to everyone around the world, instead of whoever could be bothered driving to your house. More buyers equals higher value.

          I've been trading for decades and remember how limiting it was when people were afraid to buy over the internet. The fees justify the service you're getting.

          They don't always get it right though so there are many horror stories. It's just the trade off for having something like this where everything has to be based off people's word.

          • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2022 - 20:44

            @Herbse: I had people mail me cash, checks and transfers via Western Union decades ago, as well as the obvious bank transfer. That's both interstate and international. It takes a long time to clear a foreign check, but in some countries they didn't have access to PayPal and people were prepared to wait.

            PayPal has never had any seller protection, unless the buyer was a complete moron, and blatantly lied about not receiving something that the tracking clearly showed had been delivered. Even then, they could still go to their credit card provider.

            • Herbse on 20/01/2022 - 20:53

              @[Deactivated]: Yes finding a buyer who's willing to pay upfront with no safety net was how it was done prior. Not a huge market out there willing to take that risk though, so sales were limited..
              Credit card providers didn't offer safety nets until after PayPal became big, that's a new service they offered due to its competition.

              Prior to PayPal, you paid upfront by transfer or pay by credit card, and if you didn't get it. Too bad.

              Nowadays buyers guarantees are so strong that the buyer is in control of the narrative. Unfair to sellers at times but it's the price we have to pay for opening up the world to their sales.

    • Adz81 on 19/01/2022 - 23:34

      This is literally the worst advice I've read on the internet. Actually worse than last week's "drink your own piss" internet advice.

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