paying through paypal for a vehicle.

[DMAT]

Ok so to put it simply. Im selling my motorcycle and the buyer is requesting to use paypal to pay for the vehicle. The person that will pick up the bike wont be the guy paying for it. He gave a reason why he cannot pick it up but im not sure if I can beleive it.

The method of contact ive had with this person is text and the number they are using is registered in NY while im in LA

Ive never been on the seller's side of a paypal transaction so does it seem like im setting myself up to be scammed?

[besty22]

I have sold a lot on Paypal and bought a lot ,
If I was buying something like a motorbike you can be sure I would check it out, as I think most of us would.

Here's the possible scenario.

Old mate pays via paypal.
His shonky mate picks up the bike.
Old mate says to Paypal, I paid for the bike but the seller gave it to someone else (ie his mate)

Paypal says to you , please pay Old mate back the money as he didnt recieve the goods.

I would steer clear of that transaction

my 2c

[DMAT]

thats pretty much the exact situation I'm fearing will happen.

is there a way to prevent that from happening? while i dont like it, an example would be making it as gift payment where i dont think you can request it back?

There is also the question of fees on my end for withdrawing the money.

[flipwils11]

Approach any transaction with paypal with the mindset that you could be screwed because the other side of the transaction will lie about how it went down. <$200 transaction like for rc parts, I would be pissed but it would not bend me over too bad.

Selling a big ticket item like a motorcycle especially with the 3rd party pickup situation you describe? Man, you might as well leave it in a Walmart parking lot overnight with the keys in it and no tags.

[besty22]

I dont really know about the gift payment thing,

I would just say no. There will be another buyer. My question is this. Would you buy something like this sight unseen?

Just sounds like dodgy brothers to me .

[limestang]

Looks like there are allot of scams involving the purchase of Cars using Paypal. I did a quick google search and it looks very common. I imagine this is a variation of that. See link below of story after story of Paypal scams involving large purchases.

https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Access-and-security/Advice-about-selling-a-car-recieving-payment-via-paypal/td-p/273176

Ask for cash or no deal.

- Limestang

[scr8p]

if they have money in paypal, they can take it out a bring cash.

[DMAT]

The buyer is claiming they are at sea b/c of their job and are unable to make the purchase in time. Its suppose to be a gift for someone else too.

I decided to see what paypal would say about this situation so I sent them an email with this scenario. Wonder if they will say just dont do it.

i think im gonna request the seller give the 3rd party the money to make payment when they pick it up. otherwise im probably gonna refuse to sell.

[GoMachV]

That's a classic scam. Steer clear.

This is just one of a few from my inbox lol

Thanks for the prompt response i will be paying you with my PayPal account because it's attached to my bank account and its safe and very secure way to make payment. If my mode of payment is accepted just send me your paypal email address,(Paypal ID) so i can pay in right away. Make sure you get back to me so that i can make the payment. I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up after payments has been made, so no shipping included. And if you dont have a paypal account, you can easily go towww.paypal.com and sign up. its very easy.Am presently on a contract trip and i am on the sea can't call or receive calls the only means of communication is by email..I await your reply asap

[Charlie don't surf]

The buyer is claiming they are at sea b/c of their job and are unable to make the purchase in time. Its suppose to be a gift for someone else too.

I decided to see what paypal would say about this situation so I sent them an email with this scenario. Wonder if they will say just dont do it.

i think im gonna request the seller give the 3rd party the money to make payment when they pick it up. otherwise im probably gonna refuse to sell.

While this can happen with US servicemen and or oil workers etc...your being set up.

[DMAT]

I requested that we use another payment method. Im looking forward to the response he sends. I guess if i dont like it. i think ill leave a bot on a free voip site that sends joke calls to people running all day calling that number.

what is beyond me is paypal offers no protections for buyer or seller when it comes to automotive purchases. once the money is supposedly transferred, they shouldnt be able to open a case against you yet it seems to be exactly what happens with a lot of people on that forum thread on paypal.

[Diamond Dave]

Pure scam, I have heard about this before. As stated already, if they have Paypal funds they can deliver the cash. If they don't pay with cash do not do it.

Don't even waste another minute thinking about entertaining the offer. You will find another buyer for sure.

[LTO_Dave]

Is the buyer a Nigerian Prince by chance?

I say to forget the sale unless the actual buyer picks it up in person and pays cash.

[Coelacanth]

As most everyone has stated, this is a common scam. If you see the following red flags, run the other way as fast as possible:

-Want to pay with Paypal, Western Union or some other, non-cash-in-hand method.

-Someone OTHER than the person messaging you will be coming to pick up the item.

-The person messaging you will have his "delivery person" or some "shipping company" pick up the item.

By the time you discover the Paypal payment was fraudulent or reversed, your item is long gone. Remember the age-old adage: Money talks, bullsh!t walks.

[rc10johnny]

Hey ,how did ya know about the Prince that is sendin me 100K as soon as I send 100.00 for processing...