Selling / collection advice please

Gadget

I have just sold my Friedman and the buyer is going to collect.

I’m sure it’s all legit, but I just want to make sure I haven’t left myself open to some kind of scam.

 I have been paid via Paypal and the (500+ +ve feedback) buyer is coming to collect in a few days. However, he’s not coming by car or to my house. He’s coming by train and I’m to meet him at the station.

He’s refused the offer of a cardboard box for protection (although it does have a cover) and is apparently going to transport this £2k amp 150 miles across the country by train, on a trolley!

 I’m going to do the handover where there is CCTV and will get a receipt signed and/or a photo of the buyer with the amp.

Seems weird though...

(Sorry if it’s anyone on here BTW)

soma1975

If he has paid by regular paypal instead of pp gift he can easily claim he didn't receive it and you will have no proof of postage because they collected it.

I have had this happen and it turned out someone else was using the guy's account. Make sure you see photo id of the guy being the same person on the account. 

In reality after what happened to me i'd refund his PP payment and demand cash on collection. 

steveledzep

soma1975 said:

If he has paid by regular paypal instead of pp gift he can easily claim he didn't receive it and you will have no proof of postage because they collected it.

I have had this happen and it turned out someone else was using the guy's account. Make sure you see photo id of the guy being the same person on the account. 

In reality after what happened to me i'd refund his PP payment and demand cash on collection. 

^^^^ This.

ICBM

^ This. STOP NOW.

It may be perfectly legitimate, but if it isn’t you’re in trouble.

TINMAN82

I’d personally give him the benefit of the doubt but yes, text in advance and ask him to bring ID and take a photo.

thermionic

What difference is taking a photo going to make? None whatsoever to PayPal.

Bygone_Tones

I might know who this is. Is his first initial D?

hollywoodrox

This is a common M.O of scam to pay via PayPal, then collect , if no courier is used you can have no proof that is acceptable to PayPal , it can be a bit of a nightmare .

Philly_Q

I can think of at least 4 times I've met people at railway stations to buy or sell guitars, and it was all fine.  One time the guy turned up with his PRS in a black bin bag.

Not saying you shouldn't be careful, but it could be perfectly legit.  Guitar players are weird.

Winny_Pooh

Is he called Sao Kun by any chance? (London guitarist) if so he's legit and buys these type of heads plus travels by train always.

carlos

 I’m going to do the handover where there is CCTV and will get a receipt signed and/or a photo of the buyer with the amp.

Sadly this means fuck all. Did he pay by Paypal gift? If he did then it doesn't matter if you get his signature, fingerprints or not, the money is yours to keep regardless. If by regular Paypal he can always claim it back.

KrisGee

Winny_Pooh said:

Is he called Sao Kun by any chance? (London guitarist) if so he's legit and buys these type of heads plus travels by train always.

He bought my musicman combo off me like 8yrs ago or so. Came from London to Stoke on a train, popped the amp on a trolley, said thanks and that was it, never heard from him again.
He paid with paypal which I was then ok with but probably wouldn't go for it nowadays.

musicman100

He’s already paid you so what’s the issue? 
Just get on with the deal......

Teyeplayer

I’ve done trades at a station several times. As a before, get a signed receipt of collection and ask to see ID. There is more proof in a uk railway station with their focus on security than there is at the parcelforce sorting centre. Never had a problem.

SNAKEBITE

Ask him to send a kidney as deposit.

He can have it back when the money is in your bank account.

Iamnobody

Meeting at the station is fine. The real risk is the  possibility of a PayPal refund claim for an I received item. It’s unlikely but you are completely unprotected.

I did exactly the same with a £500 guitar, refunded the PayPal money and met up at the station and exchanged cash.

The poor bloke was really nice and buying the guitar for his Son. He was very nervous about carrying so much cash around. I felt bad but at the end of the day I’d removed the risk. 

JAYJO

Cash on collection. take a pal with you. why would you risk being ripped off at all. Who cares about his/her record or how many deals they've had .This could be the deal they need for a plane ticket etc. You have no way of knowing. Cash on collection for such items imo .Always. Refund him/her give them a discount for their troubles when and only when they hand over the cash.
If they dont show then relist.

John_A

Such a bunch of cynics  

munckee

I met a chap at a train station recently for him to take an amp, only £350 though, he brought a trolley with bungee's.  he paid with cash though, all in £50 notes!

Fiftyshadesofjay

Yes you’re leaving yourself open to a PayPal chargeback scam if you do this.

However 99% of these are from the buyer sending a courier or similar for the item. In your case it does sound more like a genuine buyer who really wants the amp.

By all means be aware of the risks but use your own judgement.

King85

Cash only on collection, it's all risk and no upside to accepting paypal.

If the guy is legit he'll have no issue with a refund and then cash, if he kicks up a fuss then you know what he was up to.

Please cover your ass and sort it out.