For anyone that has a Paypal account to receive payments....
Is it safe?? I would assume it is since so many use it, but,,,,,,, I've been burned so many times by people it's not even close to funny.

I have someone in CO who is interested in a coat I listed on Craig's list, and said they could pay by Paypal, but I don't have an incoming account (I've only used it to buy stuff). I'd gladly
open an account to receive payment if it is safe - not iffy...

I'd appreciate any input..Thanks

I am not sure if it is the same, but my DD is in New Zealand and I have used PP to send money to them and then they sent money to me to repay the loan, no problems and it cost very little. When I had the bank do the transfer to her bank over there, it cost $65

Paypal is perfectly safe.
I have used it both ways for years.
Make sure your own Security is up to date.

I have used it for years and never had a problem. They should have a checking account to back it up and it shouldn't clear to you unless it is covered. You don't have to mail until the sale is confirmed.

I've used Paypal both ways also and haven't had any trouble with them. Love the fact they take the risk of solving problems also.

just don't give them your Bank info. Crooks have been hitting paypal recently. mainly large sellers but still, it's not good to put your cking account info out there.

Over the past three years, many of my customers have paid me through PayPal. I have never had an issue. I'd rather pay the fee than deal with a bounced check.

I am not sure, but I think that your PP account has to be linked to a checking account or credit card.

If the buyer is just going to send money to you via PayPal for "personal" use, then you don't have to do anything. The buyer isn't too smart doing this, as it offers her NO protection at all should anything go wrong with the transaction - you're a deadbeat seller, the package gets lost or damaged, it's not what you said you'd send,etc. She'd be SOL.

Buy you'd be fine.

However, if you you're going to accept payment for this transaction via PayPal, and she's paying for "goods," make sure you cover your tuchis as a Seller.

Send a "request for money" to the buyer, and clearly state that it is for "goods" described as the "blue coat with pink buttons and green velvet collar, size 10" listed on CL.

Include the cost for postage (via Priority as it's the easiest - free boxes). The buyer should pay for it since she/he wants it shipped. Charge $10.95 (Medium Flat Rate Box). You won't have to pay for the box or label, plus ...see below.

Keep a printout of the CL listing.

When you receive the payment, click on the Ship Now/Print Label button next to the transaction, and follow it through to buy and print the label in PayPal.

This way you (and PayPal) will have a record of the whole transaction, and the Delivery Confirmation number. Btw, you'll get a discount on the postage, plus the DelConf is free. This will help offset the PayPal fee.

If it's an expensive coat (and definitely if it's over $250), you must send it with Signature Confirmation

If you want, you can buy insurance for the package. Note the insurance is for your protection. If the package never arrives or is damaged, the buyer can file a claim, and WILL get all her money back.

Isn't it fun being a Seller? :roll:

Good luck!

I really recommend against selling outside of your local area for Craigslist; the vast majority of people contacting you outside of your area are going to be scammers.

I did a posting on Craigslist recently, and I would say easily half of the people responding to my post were scammers. There are some obvious clues:

- being outside of your area
- lots of misspellings or grammar issues
- they don't actually mention your item in the email they send you. They'll just ask if the thing/item you listed is still available. If they don't actually use the word "coat" anywhere in the email, don't trust them.
- offering to pay more than the item is worth

One of the more common scams is detailed here: http://www.intelliot.com/2009/10/cra...t-paypal-scam/

Basically, the scammers will offer to pay for the item, and ask you to ship it to them once they pay. Then you'll receive a very real looking email from Paypal -- but it's not actually from Paypal! The email will ask you to log in to verify the money, and send you to a site that looks like paypal, but isn't -- and of course, once you log in, they have your login and password.

I'm not exaggerating -- because the item I had listed on Craigslist was over $1000, I was receiving a TON of these kinds of emails. I had to read the responses I received very carefully.

Now to answer your original question -- Paypal itself is very safe, for both receiving and sending money. I use it all the time, and have for several years now. But you have to be smart about how you use it. And never EVER click on a link within an email that will supposedly take you to Paypal to login. Ever. EVER! Because 9 times out of 10, that is a phishing scam.