We've had
eBay nightmares, so now it's time for Paypal nightmares.
I'm selling some MP3 players on eBay. Out of 100 I've got only 6 left after a month. The vast majority of transactions have been good, with +ve feedback left both ways. But there's always one bad apple in the barrel, or in this case, two.
Pay no attention to those email notifications that come from paypal, confirming that your item has been paid for. They're not worth the paper they're not written on. I encountered the first bad apple after having received notification of payment. In order to provide a fast service I went to the PO that day to despatch the item. AFTER I had done that, I got an email from Paypal saying that "the funds were unauthorised", and that the payment has been reversed. No indication when I'm likely to get my money. At least they refunded the paypal fee, but not the eBay listing and final value fees.
I was ready for the second bad apple. The eBay name, the Paypal name and the name given in the paypal name and address were all different! (I smelt a rat) I messaged the buyer to find out to whom the item should be sent - no reply. (I smelt another rat) And guess what? The next day I got an email from paypal to say that - you guessed it - the payment had been reversed.
My only loss this time was the cost of the eBay listing and final value fees - about £2.
Warning signs- The name/address data is inconsistent
- Buyer sends you an email asking for a rush job because he's "going away"
^ Add to this list!
In one case, I suspect that the REAL owner of the eBay/paypal accounts had lodgers who had used his computer. If other people have access to your PC, think carefully before using any automatic password fill-in option on your browser.
Paypal claims that it is a "fast, easy and secure way to pay on eBay!". That may be true, but the picture for sellers can be rather different.
