Buying camera bodies from forum

rick_reno wrote in post #12804610
+1.

PayPal is no more crooked than any other consumer-oriented banking business. They do offer pretty good protection for buyers (but only in some specific circumstances) and their protection for sellers is extremely limited (and in some cases actually works against the sellers).

On eBay, I purchased a "new" monitor that turned out to be used. PayPal made it extremely easy for me by escrowing the payment until we renegotiated. The seller thought that his monitor was as good as new (it wasn't) and probably ended up feeling like he got screwed.

If anything, PayPal greatly misrepresents the benefits of their Buyer/Seller protection and, considering that they are actually part of eBay, grossly overcharge for eBay payments.

Higgs Boson wrote in post #12798563
I have bought and sold here too and it has always worked out well. I like to use the gift option on paypal and I don't mind returning the favor. Keep the PMs and emails involved in the transaction until you are satisfied you got what you paid for.

There are many threads about the gift option not working out. I am very pleased to hear you have not had problems to this point, but that is not the best advice to give someone. The emails and PMs will not do you any good with a gift payment.

ktownhero wrote in post #12804440
What "protection" does PayPal really offer? That's not particularly reassuring, considering they are crooks in and of themselves. The perfect example of why it's bad for consumers when one company monopolizes a market.

Your are right here, there has been no rhyme or reason to how they have sided in the few situations that I have been involoved with. However, my Credit Card company has always sided with me.

Best advice was already posted, don't use gift and use your credit card for payment, not paypal balance or bank account. That will be your only means of protection if the seller is out to scam you.

I've bought quite a lot from POTN, FM and Craigs List but I like the "old school" method of a face-to-face transaction so there have been no issues. Very few of my purchases have been by mail/paypal and then only after close consultation with my 6th sense. Everybody has a 6th sense that tries to warn you of a creepy deal... some just choose to ignore it.

And an added benefit of f2f transactions is the chance to meet really nice fellow photogs. The down side is a longer wait for your wish list to pop-up within a raesonable drive. It's just something I've chosen to do and it's worked out really well for me.

cacawcacaw wrote in post #12805227
PayPal is no more crooked than any other consumer-oriented banking business.

Yes they are. Their business model is a huge "gray area" and they take advantage of that. They are a horrendous company to deal with if you ever have to, and there have been instances of them blocking people out of their own accounts (containing significant money) for no apparent reason, among other things. "Protection"? Yeah right. Good luck with that. It's a lotto, at best. You're lucky if you can even talk to anybody that really understands English, let alone relate to your business issues.

Those of us that have been using PayPal since the beginning (only because they monopolize the business) have always had the motto that you NEVER leave money in a PayPal account... ever. You could wake up one day and find it gone or that you are locked out of your account. And who do you contact for help? There are no private or governing bodies with leverage over them and they have no loyalties to anybody.

If I'm selling anything of value I want the buyer to pay by Postal Money Order. I really don't trust Paypal, as I've just heard of too many horror stories. It seems as if they ALWAYS side with the buyer if there is a dispute. It just scares me to think of someone paying me a few thousand dollars for something, then claiming it was damaged or never shipped and Paypal pulling the money back from me. I'd then be out the gear and the money. At least with a PMO the buyer can sick the feds on me if there really is any fraud, so that should give them some peace of mind.

Do not buy from or sell to anyone who has not been here since at least Dec 2003 and have at least 8,000 posts.

Never use PP gift period. Don't be a fool like me. And when you do use paypal, only use the credit card method to pay. At least if PP screws you over, you can do a charge back immediately. Show your credit card company that you mailed the item back w/delivery confirmation/signature and they'll take care of it.

rklepper wrote in post #12815385
Do not buy from or sell to anyone who has not been here since at least Dec 2003 and have at least 8,000 posts.

Crap...

I have had dozens of positive transactions here. I've bought at least 4 bodies and a dozen lenses, not to mention straps, bags, and more. Virtually every one was perfect.

Recently I saw a lens come up twice. I made an offer the first time, and he basically increased his shipping to make it a wash and I said no thanks. I saw the same seller with the same lens a few days later asking more money. It was fishy and I passed. I ended up getting what I wanted for the price I wanted in another seamless transaction.

Like others have said, check feedback and look into other posts the seller has made. If it seems goofy, then trust your instincts and wait for the next one.

cacawcacaw wrote in post #12805227
PayPal is no more crooked than any other consumer-oriented banking business. They do offer pretty good protection for buyers (but only in some specific circumstances) and their protection for sellers is extremely limited (and in some cases actually works against the sellers).

On eBay, I purchased a "new" monitor that turned out to be used. PayPal made it extremely easy for me by escrowing the payment until we renegotiated. The seller thought that his monitor was as good as new (it wasn't) and probably ended up feeling like he got screwed.

If anything, PayPal greatly misrepresents the benefits of their Buyer/Seller protection and, considering that they are actually part of eBay, grossly overcharge for eBay payments.

Therein lies the problem.... PayPal is not a licensed "bank" They do not hold a banking charter, they act like a bank but they are not subject to all of the same rules & regulations that are in place to protect consumers. Having said that, I do use PayPal & have never expeienced a problem personally....

cacawcacaw wrote in post #12805227
PayPal is no more crooked than any other consumer-oriented banking business. ...

Haha, my point isn't that PayPal isn't so bad. My point is that they are all mostly horrible. And, I suppose I would include "Pay Day Loans", "Check into Cash" and "We Buy Gold" in my definition of consumer oriented banking businesses.

Tony_A wrote in post #12820157
Therein lies the problem.... PayPal is not a licensed "bank" They do not hold a banking charter, they act like a bank but they are not subject to all of the same rules & regulations that are in place to protect consumers. Having said that, I do use PayPal & have never expeienced a problem personally....

Well yeah, that's clearly the problem, because licensed banks that are subject to our "consumer protection laws" never, ever bend consumers over a barrel and.....well, never mind.

I heard somewhere (unverified) that US banks made $7 billion last year on ATM fees. The boys at PayPal are still slackers in short pants hoping to grow up one day and be like their brethern at Citibank and the rest.