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Ohmsford
Apr 11th, 2009, 07:27 PM
So I'm considering making a paypal purchase for a Macbook Pro, from an inexperienced seller. The purchase in question is from a different popular forum but I decided to post on redflags to avoid getting this seller upset that I am inquiring.

Here are the details of the purchase so far.
The purchase price agreed upon is $1600 for a macbook pro. Payment would be made via 2 stages, half before shipping, and the other half after receiving the laptop. Seller has no heatware, and no ebay experience. Sellers paypal account is in the process of being verified. In the next day will receive a photograph of the laptop in question with a printed copy of my username and the sellers username.

So the risks are obvious. I'm looking at sending $800 to an inexperienced seller in the hopes of receiving a laptop in the mail. If the deal is legimate he is taking the risk of me paying the remainder of the laptop at the end.

How well can paypal protect me if this deal is a scam? Are their are further steps I can take to help reduce the risks? And finally what is the difference between paying by CC or by verified bank account for this purchase?
sexpuppet6000
Apr 11th, 2009, 07:30 PM
The deal better be smoking to take on that kind of risk. I'd avoid it - better deals to be had elsewhere.
teknoluv
Apr 11th, 2009, 07:38 PM
Seller has no heatware, and no ebay experience. Sellers paypal account is in the process of being verified.
To be honest, I really don't get the rationale of sending $800 to a total stranger, esp. one with no feedback of any kind AND an unverified PayPal account.
andrew2good4u
Apr 11th, 2009, 07:46 PM
When it comes to that much money, deal in person or don't deal at all
Ohmsford
Apr 11th, 2009, 08:06 PM
I am a prairie boy, dealing in person is generally rare for certain products. I've been looking for a MBP on RFD and a few other sites for quite a while now, so I'll consider any that show up.
dooly
Apr 11th, 2009, 08:12 PM
paypal usually leans towards protecting buyers...on items over $250, they only protect sellers that get a signed confirmation from their buyers if that helps at all
M@rk
Apr 11th, 2009, 08:20 PM
PayPal protection is useless if the seller actually intended to scam you and took the $800 out of his PayPal account right away.
silentio
Apr 11th, 2009, 09:14 PM
Seller must also be verified for ebay/paypal to protect you. I would avoid this transaction until that is done.

I still wont do this unless it's done in person, with a live test with him.
aplayaz2000
Apr 11th, 2009, 10:14 PM
When it comes to that much money, deal in person or don't deal at all:arrow:
st7860
Apr 11th, 2009, 10:33 PM
you can get a chargeback if something goes wrong
mightylobo
Apr 11th, 2009, 10:40 PM
Better off making him post it on ebay as a BIN for 800. And split the fees.... and then pay him the other 800 after wards. (This is assumption you have feedback as well). If you don't have feedback then I guess 1600 as the BIN would be the most rational suggestion.
LeetViet
Apr 12th, 2009, 02:53 PM
Ask him for his address and a landline telephone number linked to that address. Call that number and talk to him. Compare that information to his PayPal confirmed account information. Have him email you from his PayPal email so you know it's not a phished/hacked account.

The difference between paying with a credit card and your bank account is a credit card will offer more protection through the credit card company.

I would not recommend purchasing big ticket items on forums. The amount you save VS the potential headache is not worth it.