There have been a few - only a few but enough to be noticeable - deals via the Classifieds that seem to have gone wrong recently.
When buying something, please use your commonsense in deciding how to pay for it.
PP GIFT is great for sending money, without cost, to people that you know and trust. But there's a sting in the tail, and a clue in the name - it's intended for sending a "GIFT", not for paying for goods & services where you may need some protection for your money. PPG is faster than the old school cash in an envelope, but you've got the same amount of protection in the event that something goes wrong. Likewise, bank transfers are quick and easy, but you've again got no protection.
For deals in which you don't know the other person, and/or they've got little history here, think about;
1. Ask the seller to use an insured and trackable post/courier service - that's actually for their protection rather than yours - and ask them to commit to a date when they'll send it.
2. When you've agreed the deal, ask them to send you a PP invoice. This should describe the item that you're buying.
3. Whether or not you get an invoice, use the normal PP process - NOT GIFT - to pay for it, unless you know the other person and trust them with your money.
4. Allow a reasonable time for the item to arrive, but only a reasonable time. You've agreed (in step 2) when it will be sent, and even the cheapest/slowest services will generally deliver in 3-4 working days.
5. If it doesn't arrive, let them know and ask them to track it. If they don't reply within a day or two, get ready to let PayPal know.
6. If the worst happens and the item (or the seller) is confirmed lost, get your PayPal claim in to get your money refunded. YOU CAN'T DO THIS IF YOU'VE USED PP GIFT. If it's a genuine loss, the seller should be able to reclaim from the postal/courier service provided that they've bought sufficient insurance cover for it.
Using the standard PP will cost a little more (3% or so atm), but that's what you need to pay for peace of mind and the opportunity to recover your money if the deal goes wrong.
Comments
Offset "(Emp) - a little heavy on the hyperbole."
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
Yeah I noticed that point. I've nearly always used PPG on here both ways. I bought my Timeline away from EBay via PPG too. Was risky looking back. I also bought my Mark V doing the same but the guy lived in my town and I met him in his office, seemed a safe bet.
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
The example you cite seems largely a consequence of people abusing the system. They are using a system designed for gifts to sell goods; the amount is large; and the payer has confused the addressee because he's doing this repeatedly. They've deliberately used a less protected system to avoid the PayPal fees that are properly due for this kind of transaction. The outcome may be a "shambles" but I can't honestly see why PayPal should take any responsibility. In fact I couldn't blame them if their attitude was along the lines of "Ha Ha, it serves you bloody right".
Given that most amp manufacturers explicitly exclude valves from warranty to have you on the hook for 180 days seems off to me - the only amp maker that I'm aware of that even covers valves is Diezel and then only for 3 months, half the PayPal period.
https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security
I do agree with the comments above that I would not use PPG in either direction unless I knew or had dealt with the person in question before - clearly there is no protection because the clue is in the name - gift - you don't get any protection as you've not paid for it.
As a buyer it's a no brainer for the extra 4% to use standard PP.