PayPal buyer says they will send as a gift

[SP33Demon]

If a buyer sends money via paypal, marked as a gift, there is no way to get the money back or dispute the transaction. It's also against paypal's TOS to make a gift payment for a purchase, so a buyer that admits to paypal that a purchase was made as a gift, risk being banned from paypal.

While paypal will reverse transactions for a purchase if the buyer complains to paypal that the goods aren't right, or never arrived; If the buyer makes payment as a gift, then paypal will tell them to take a hike, and the seller gets to keep the money.

The other difference is that for a "Purchase" payment, paypal takes an extra 5% cut (or whatever), whereas for a "gift" they take a smaller cut. For a big purchase, like a high end watch, this could easily work out to $100 still in the buyer's pocket, if they use the gift option.

This. If they gifted it to you then they can't dispute it. Also, they will get hit with a fee if they try to use credit cards on the gift but bank account is free. If he tells the truth and says he never got the watch from you, Paypal would laugh at him. There's probably some scam to get a personal gift back, or he could dispute it with his CC and bypass paypal.

 

[DrPizza]

If a buyer sends money via paypal, marked as a gift, there is no way to get the money back or dispute the transaction. It's also against paypal's TOS to make a gift payment for a purchase, so a buyer that admits to paypal that a purchase was made as a gift, risk being banned from paypal.

While paypal will reverse transactions for a purchase if the buyer complains to paypal that the goods aren't right, or never arrived; If the buyer makes payment as a gift, then paypal will tell them to take a hike, and the seller gets to keep the money.

The other difference is that for a "Purchase" payment, paypal takes an extra 5% cut (or whatever), whereas for a "gift" they take a smaller cut. For a big purchase, like a high end watch, this could easily work out to $100 still in the buyer's pocket, if they use the gift option.

Paypal seems to treat that as a guideline, rather than a hard, rigid rule. I've seen at least one case where a trader here attempted to screw over a buyer - and the buyer (against our rules, against our recommendations, and against Paypal's rules) used a gift payment, but paypal sided with the buyer.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I just sent an email saying $3500 and I would ship it in 30 days, lets see how this goes.

 

[T9D]

I think he really did want it. Sending it as gift can't be disputed as mentioned above. He was probably just trying to show you he's serious about it and didn't want you to worry.

It's doubtful you'll ever have enough money in your account again where even if somehow something went bad that paypal would take that money back. I never keep a balance in my paypal, it goes straight to my bank. There is minimal time for any dispute to actually happen while I have money sitting in there. Paypal can't touch anything unless it's in your account with them.

I've had plenty of people buy things from me that seemed like it totally be shady but ended up totally legit. Some times people just want THAT product you have, and have to have it. Don't have time to keep looking or pissing around. Just want to send the money get their product and be done with it.

 

[slag]

You can trust them. I have a good feeling about it.

x2

 

[KaOTiK]

I've seen paypal rule in favor of buyers before who paid using the gift option.

This is obviously a scam and you should just move on.

 

[gorcorps]

I think he really did want it. Sending it as gift can't be disputed as mentioned above. He was probably just trying to show you he's serious about it and didn't want you to worry.

It's doubtful you'll ever have enough money in your account again where even if somehow something went bad that paypal would take that money back. I never keep a balance in my paypal, it goes straight to my bank. There is minimal time for any dispute to actually happen while I have money sitting in there. Paypal can't touch anything unless it's in your account with them.

I've had plenty of people buy things from me that seemed like it totally be shady but ended up totally legit. Some times people just want THAT product you have, and have to have it. Don't have time to keep looking or pissing around. Just want to send the money get their product and be done with it.

Maybe. He can't start a dispute with paypal, but he can call his CC company and claim his card was stolen and that he didn't make that payment. CC will get the money from PP, and you bet your ass PP will go after that money. Chances are the money will still be left in his account.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

They responded to my 30 day offer with 30 days??? LOL.

 

[alkemyst]

Craigslist + Paypal = scam.

Seriously, if you're dealing with craigslist, if it's not good old american greenbacks, it ain't legit.

Paypal gift == credit card payment with a credit card chargeback filed, paypal will still come after YOU (the seller) to recover money first.

or....

Paypal gift == stolen/hacked paypal account, which means paypal will still come after YOU (the seller) to recover money first.

Craigslist is cash and carry. Everybody else can fuck off.

Not entirely true. However; for paypal to protect you you will need to have proof of SHIPPING an item.

Don't take an online form of payment for a local pickup unless you are a large B&M store.

 

[Gillbot]

Apparently people in this thread have never heard of a chargeback. O-well, seems legit. I'm subscribed for teh lulz.....

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I called PayPal for the heck of it. The girl tells me they don't even offer the option to send as a gift. I tell her people talk about it all the time online. She puts me on hold to check her resources. When she came back she really didn't tell me anything about the gift option.

 

[ImpulsE69]

That's because they don't want you to know about "gift" because they don't get a cut then. It's not unusual for people on ebay or other places to request you to send the cash as a gift because of that.

 

[SunnyD]

That's because they don't want you to know about "gift" because they don't get a cut then. It's not unusual for people on ebay or other places to request you to send the cash as a gift because of that.

They still get their cut, from the sender rather than the recipient.

 

[Mark R]

Not entirely true. However; for paypal to protect you you will need to have proof of SHIPPING an item.

I think I see SunnyD's point.
If the buyer sends payment as a gift, then there is no shipping. Therefore paypal, will not accept the sellers proof-of-shipping as evidence.

 

[Murloc]

even if it's a gift, he can still ask for chargeback. This bypasses the need for a paypal dispute entirely, but if it gets approved paypal will go after your money. And if it doesn't, they may still block your account for "investigation" and the other guilty until proven innocent shady procedures they have. Even if you somehow can prove you sent it, you are still embroiled in a dispute and it's ultimately not worth the hassle imho. A rolex doesn't lose value that fast over time anyway, time is on your side.

 

[Rakehellion]

If a buyer sends money via paypal, marked as a gift, there is no way to get the money back or dispute the transaction. It's also against paypal's TOS to make a gift payment for a purchase, so a buyer that admits to paypal that a purchase was made as a gift, risk being banned from paypal.

There doesn't need to be a claim filed. If the money is stolen, the transaction will be reversed.

 

[SheHateMe]

Go ahead and sell him the watch, bro.




...lol

 

[KeithTalent]

I've seen paypal rule in favor of buyers before who paid using the gift option.

This is obviously a scam and you should just move on.

All of this. Move along OP.

KT

 

[kranky]

A quote from Guys and Dolls:

One of these days in your travels, a guy is going to come to you and show you a nice, brand new deck of cards on which the seal has not yet been broken. This man is going to offer to bet you that he can make the jack of spades jump out of that deck and squirt cider in your ear. Now son, do not take this bet, for as sure as you stand there, you are going to wind up with an earful of cider.

This is how scammers win. They lay out a proposal in such a way that the mark is absolutely certain he can't be taken. "I'll even make the payment as a 'Gift' so that its not possible to file a dispute!" And the lure of the long green draws the mark in. When the mark is sure he's too smart to get taken, he gets taken.

Craigslist deals must be face-to-face cash deals. No exceptions.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Sweet, it wont be long now. Got another offer. They want to get it for their lovely cousin as an engagement gift. They are fine on the price and are going to add $100 for shipping. The legit people are always the ones that want to pay full price and more.

 

[Anonemous]

Uh, CL + shipping => DANGER DANGER *SPIDER SENSES TINGLING*

 

[KaOTiK]

Sweet, it wont be long now. Got another offer. They want to get it for their lovely cousin as an engagement gift. They are fine on the price and are going to add $100 for shipping. The legit people are always the ones that want to pay full price and more.

Normally I would believe you are being sarcastic, but after the first post, I'm not so sure.

 

[DrPizza]

Sweet, it wont be long now. Got another offer. They want to get it for their lovely cousin as an engagement gift. They are fine on the price and are going to add $100 for shipping. The legit people are always the ones that want to pay full price and more.

You'd be amazed at how many people want their shipper to pick up a puppy and send it to <overseas.> We had a paypal "gift" offer last night.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Normally I would believe you are being sarcastic, but after the first post, I'm not so sure.

Other than the fact I already know about the CL scams?

 

[jaedaliu]

pics of watch? you in south OC? I'm kinda across the country right now, but I can have my buyer meet you at south coast plaza.