scoobyvirgin

Hi all,

I've seen something on Ebay that is just what I need, good price etc but a little far away.

The buyer either wants paying by paypal plus additional fees for doing so or transferring money via HSBC business banking.

What I need to know is, how safe is business banking? This guy has not been a member long, so if my goods don't turn up how do I go about getting a refund?

It's £1300 so I don't want to jump straight in and get stung.

Thanks

David Lock

There was a recent thread about seller charging extra for Paypal - basically a no-no and sale could be stopped by e-bay if someone complained. Worth knowing.

Why don't you mail seller and ask him if he would accept ordinary cheque? dl

scoobyvirgin

I know about paypal issues so giving them a wide birth.

Even if I sent a cheque how would I claim it back if i'd not received my goods?

Really need more info on the money tranfer.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

its easy and very safe, as for being able to claim the money back I am not 100% sure, but all banks have things in place to cover their customers against fraud so you maybe covered, id suggest talking to your bank and just asking.

hth

jamo

steve05wrx

Hi
The only safe way is to go and pick up the goods in person and pay cash.
We sell on Ebay full time - so pretty well know all the scams that people have tried on us!

I will list the various payment methods you could use and their pitfalls:-

1) Cheque - once the cheque clears you should receive your goods - normally takes 5 working days to clear. Even once cleared the seller may not send the item and then you could only take them to the small claims court.
It makes little difference that the seller is asking you to pay into a business account (if it is a Ltd company - you have even less protection if the company ceases trading).

2) PayPal - this is fairly safe for buyers ( less so for sellers!) - you are only covered by PayPal protection up to around £130 for standard protection or £500 if the seller qualifies for enhanced protection - this is known by seeing a little shield next to the PayPal logo on the auction item number. Therefore if you pay £1300 by PayPal - and dont get your goods - then you may only get around £110 or £490 back (PayPal even deduct handling fees from the money they return to a buyer who claims under the protection!!!).
You say the seller has low feedback - so you may only be covered for the smaller amount.

3) Western Union - do not touch with a bargepole!!!

4) Postal orders - OK if they go missing - but you need to wait 3 months to claim - useless if seller cashes them and does not send you the goods!

5) Cash in person - hard to beat! - obviously we dont know what you are buying but even then you would need to check item is as described, working etc and you would need to get a reciept - this should present no problem if you are buying from a proper business!!!

Hope the above is helpful!
Cheers!
Steve

Ian_S

for £1300 i would only collect in person