When I was a kid I sold a laptop on ebay, to an older woman who clearly had no idea how to use a computer.
Long long story short, after she sent it back and I removed her viruses I firmly but politely made it very clear this is something she's doing to the laptop, it works fine, yadda yadda yadda.
She ended up filing a claim with paypal, who sided with the buyer. The funds were immediately removed from my checking account, and paypal locked everything for 30 days before they told me I would have to pursue the buyer via small claims. End result was the woman tried to keep the laptop AND the money, and paypal/ebay wouldn't do a thing.
Taking a personal check gives you better protection than paypal, at least you have state laws on your side.