Craigslist question - buyer wants me to ship item

[EarlyQuit]

A potential buyer contacted me about buying a dvd set I have posted on CL. The caveat is that she wants me to ship it to another city (and pay for it). I've only made local sales in the past. So I am wondering if anyone here had to ship things they sold on CL? How did you handle the payment? Would you do this or does it sound fishy?

Edit: I re-read this and realized that I was not clear - the buyer would pay shipping (supposedly), not me.

[Gone Fishing]

Don't do it.

[EarlyQuit]

Don't do it.

That was my gut feeling... I also checked ebay and there are multiple listings of the same dvds, some priced lower than what I am asking, so I am baffled as to why she just wouldn't buy it there.

[Michael792]

NOOOOOOOOO DONT DO IT

[Paul der Krake]

Cash transactions in public places only.

[fa]

CL is local transactions and cash only!!  Never ship or accept anything but cash.  EVER!

[Trirod]

If you get payment through Paypal before you ship, I don't see any risk to you.  I've bought things remotely on Craigslist before like this and never had a problem.  Most people are honest!

[MikeBear]

If you get payment through Paypal before you ship, I don't see any risk to you.  I've bought things remotely on Craigslist before like this and never had a problem.  Most people are honest!

IF she ships it without a online tracking method that PayPal can check, the buyer can later say they didn't get it. PayPal WILL then issue a full refund, including shipping if you can't prove the person got it. You have NO recourse at that point except Small Claims court.

As for why the buyer doesn't just buy it somewhere else cheaper, some people never think of that. My wife is a perfect example of that and usually manages to pay top dollar for things she can buy cheaper elsewhere with 10 minutes of online research.

[Sdsailing]

Surely the risks are no different from selling on ebay. 

[MikeBear]

Surely the risks are no different from selling on ebay.

In fact, the risks are far greater, because  the seller has no proof of a legal transaction at all. The buyer didn't purchase through an Ebay auction, so there's no paper trail. So here's the pattern of what could likely happen:

1: Buyer sends money via PayPal for real, seller mails out the whatever, buyer is happy, and all is fine.
2: Buyer sends money via PayPal for real, seller mails out the whatever, buyer says it was never received (maybe it really was stolen at the door by a rental neighbor, maybe buyer is trying to get it for free), seller can't prove it to PayPal's satisfaction: PayPal will refund.
3: Buyer sends money via PayPal for real, seller mails out whatever, buyer says he didn't really send the money, it was some sort of fraud and he's a victim: PayPal will refund, and most likely lock the sellers PayPal account until they provide all sorts of documentation.
4: Buyers PayPal account really was hijacked, and they really didn't send money at all, seller was fooled: PayPal will refund, and most likely lock the sellers PayPal account until seller can provide all sorts of documentation.

I've been through some of these scenarios on the sellers side, and believe me, it's very stressful and dealing with PayPal can be like dealing with the Devil. Or like dealing with a Honey Badger, and we all know a Honey Badger just don't care.

[fixer-upper]

Have them mail cash or a USPS money order (cashed at the PO rather than your bank), then ship with a tracking number.  Offer shipping insurance at cost.

[Sdsailing]

Yes but 1,2,3,4 happen on ebay. Most common scam is 2. Outcomes identical. I am not seeing the difference.

[MikeBear]

Yes but 1,2,3,4 happen on ebay. Most common scam is 2. Outcomes identical. I am not seeing the difference.

The difference is in what you can prove for the transaction. There's NO seller protection for a PayPal transaction that takes place between a Craigslist buyer and seller, as the seller can NOT prove delivery of something picked up in person. I'm not sure if PayPal will accept an online tracking number for something if it's through Craigslist, but I'd say NO they won't, as you can't prove what you sent. There IS seller protection (to varying degrees) with an Ebay transaction funded through PayPal IF the seller follows the rules of using online tracking, and/or signature confirmation for items over $750.

Regardless of all the above, PayPal does what PayPal wants (it's a private corporation), and there's little recourse for the little guy unless it's enough money that you get a lawyer. They tend to back-off quickly once that's done.

[Sdsailing]

Thanks for pointing out those differences between paypal vs paypal plus ebay. I was not aware of them.

Nevertheless, given that ebay plus paypal generally side with the buyer, i am not sure how much ACTUAL difference there would be.

[Grateful Stache]

I have sold a few phones on swappa and as long as the buyer pays you the cost of the item plus shipping via paypal prior to shipping I think you would be fine

I've also done this, but on Craigslist. I was selling a Patagonia jacket to a buyer who was a state away. They sent a check, I cashed it, and sent their item. Never heard from them again, and their money was good. The buyer paid for shipping.

If it's an inexpensive item and easy to ship, than no big deal as long as they pay upfront. Better than getting nothing for it locally, right?

Cheers.

[EarlyQuit]

Thanks for all your responses. I am still on the fence - just not sure this is worth the hassle. But a money order sounds like a good idea. I have also heard of people requesting to send money thru PayPal as "gift", which supposedly mitigates the risks many of you mentioned. What are your thoughts on that?

P.S. I had to google what Patagonia is :)

[Thegoblinchief]

Dude, it's a DVD. You're getting what, $10 tops for it?

[EarlyQuit]

Dude, it's a DVD. You're getting what, $10 tops for it?

$50. It's a box set of all seasons of "Friends". I definitely would not be shipping a $10 item.

[fixer-upper]

Thanks for all your responses. I am still on the fence - just not sure this is worth the hassle. But a money order sounds like a good idea. I have also heard of people requesting to send money thru PayPal as "gift", which supposedly mitigates the risks many of you mentioned. What are your thoughts on that?

P.S. I had to google what Patagonia is :)

PPG eliminates most of the worries posted, and the buyer would pay the fee instead of you.  It's a popular option for payment, but I still prefer cash or MO.