Posted 29 June 2015

Should I accept PayPal as a payment method on Gumtree?

I'm selling a TV on Gumtree and I just got this msg:
"hello would you take 320 now via PayPal and I can collect when you have the cash, thanks"

I've never been asked that before so I'm wondering is it a possible scam? Seems to good to be true.
Community Updates
New Comment

16 Comments

sorted by
's avatar
  1. Happydundee's avatar
    No, it's a scam, they will claim item not received and PayPal will take money from your account. Cash only on collection.
  2. UniquelyMoi247's avatar
    I'd ask for cash on collection seeing as they're picking it up anyway, seems strange to me. I've bought and sold things on Gumtree via PayPal but only small amounts like £10-15 and I only do it where it's being posted for that reason because they're not local.
    Large amounts like that I personally wouldn't. I've heard of people using stolen cards for quick transactions, the exchange takes place then lo and behold the money is pulled back and the seller loses out. Especially if using friends/family method on PayPal. Stay safe
  3. bhara's avatar
    rugbymike

    Or ask him to pay Paypal Gift so there is no comeback?


    Can still claim back money via this method.
    It's a scam. Avoid.
  4. deleted254180's avatar
    no paypal, strictly cash, or I'd always go with a bank transfer no hassle with wondering if money is fake or not!
  5. deleted1411413's avatar
    There's one really good reason why a buyer may want to pay through paypal is to be able to make the payment over several months with paypal credit: paypal.com/uk/…dit especially with something that costs £320.
  6. deleted126783's avatar
    deleted141141322/12/2017 15:41

    There's one really good reason why a buyer may want to pay through paypal …There's one really good reason why a buyer may want to pay through paypal is to be able to make the payment over several months with paypal credit: https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-virtual-credit especially with something that costs £320.


    2 years late lol


    Advice still stands about not accepting PayPal for collection items
  7. fonzie2107's avatar
    Would ask them to pay cash on collection.
    Takes a couple of hours to transfer money from paypal into bank, so they shouldn't really have an excuse not to.
  8. Huggett93's avatar
    Pay via PayPal and its collected, they say never received. You have no proof of postage as it was collected
  9. SUMMONER's avatar
    I would strongly advise against using Paypal outside Ebay, especially if you are not going to post the item to the "confirmed" delivery address on the Paypal payment receipt in your Paypal account (not the one in your email). Furthermore I would never ever accept Paypal for a Gumtree sale, there are too many ways this could come to haunt you later.

    Gumtree is for face to face transactions, paying cash. If you don't already have one, get yourself one of those forged bank note detector pens (< £3 on Ebay for a set of 2), as there are a lot of fake £20 notes floating about.
    (edited)
  10. allowed's avatar
    Its a scam.....he will want it posted to another country.
  11. Jonnyblock's avatar
    Author
    OK thanks guys. Yeah I thought it was a bit odd.
  12. rugbymike's avatar
    Or ask him to pay Paypal Gift so there is no comeback?
  13. deleted158857's avatar
    Cash cash cash!!! Always cash on Gumtree, even then you need to check it's real as someone stated further up.
    These scammers can often use 'hacked' PayPal accounts and the 'poor victim' claims their dough back leaving you with sweet F A... amongst other scams.
    So, cash only!!
  14. bluetba's avatar
    I think they are trying to give themselves some protection, so if you scam them they can get some cash back, BUT no would definitely stick to cash on collection only.
  15. furbars's avatar
    ppg is your best best.
  16. tasteofnawab's avatar
    deleted141141322/12/2017 15:41

    There's one really good reason why a buyer may want to pay through paypal …There's one really good reason why a buyer may want to pay through paypal is to be able to make the payment over several months with paypal credit: https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/paypal-virtual-credit especially with something that costs £320.



    I've done this before, not every one is a scammer.
's avatar