Can someone enlighten me on paypal pretty please?

MrsH8611

We are selling a car and we have a buyer. She lives in an other state and says she only uses paypal. So we made a paypal account to do the transaction. But because the purchase is over $250 it says we need some sort of signature something? So we asked what company would be picking up the vehicle for her (so we could call and confirm) and the lady buying the car said that paypal organizes the shipping company for the transaction.
 
Is this  rue?                                         

We are just trying to make sure it isn't some weird scam or something. But I mean I did read over the paypal protection and such I just am trying to rule out any "funny buisness" like her paying for it then saying the vehicle never got there or something like that, but if it is paypal's "shipper" as she says then it wouldn't be our fault if something happened like that right?  

Any tips or exp. that would help would be great!!! Thanks ladies

KatoNorway

Has she made an effort to see the car in person?

See THIS LINK....

Probably a scam just based on the little information you provided. I can see someone purchasing the vehicle per PayPal and doing a charge back. PayPal offers dispute resolution. I'm not sure if you would want a third party involved if there would be a dispute (ie: buyer claims car arrived in none working condition, opens dispute, PayPal finds in her favor, and your out a car + $ she used to pay you.)

That said, people do sell cars on ebay, and the buyers pay via PayPal. If there's a dispute, it goes through ebay. IMO, selling on Craigslist in person is better. Once the cash is in my hand, car is sold as is, and the transaction is finished.

cheeseandrice

I don't think PayPal organizes a shipping company. I've never sold anything big like a car, though, so it could be different.  I only use Paypal when I sell stuff online (unless it's something I can get cash for in person.)  Paypal can incorporate the shipping charges, but you're still responsible for figuring out how to get it from one person to the other, as far as I know.

mica178

I have made a PayPal purchase of $300 in the past (my favors from an Etsy seller) and did not have to sign a darned thing.  Also, while I haven't ever sold anything, I don't think anything about PayPal involved it choosing shipping methods.  It does update the buyer about shipping status, but that's very different.

pirategal03

I wouldn't trust PayPal for this.  You're going to have to transfer title and all that anyway, so the relative anonymity that PayPal offers isn't really necessary in this situation.  And, like PP have said, PayPal is much more buyer friendly than seller friendly.  Get a certified check for payment. 

chelseamb11

How far away does this person live?  Why try and buy a car so far away if it's far away?
If it's truly THAT awesome of a deal for them that they would want to pay the shipping and they live far away, maybe offer that, yes, they can pay via paypal, but you will meet them halfway with the car or something to that effect.  I wouldn't do this without meeting the person IN PERSON or having some sort of system that they cannot have the car without signing for it and admitting it's okay first.  (AKA probably too complicated)

achiduck

This seems very odd to me and you're right to be skeptical.

Ditto Steph, Paypal lets you charge shipping fees and will print a shipping label, but it's your responsibility to decide what shipping company to use and organize it.

sweetredhead

My family sold a car on eBay once but insisted on a certified check. Car scams are huge so you need to cover our rear. Plus get things in hard copy and notarized. PayPal does not help with shipping and can easily be scammed by the buyer saying the car doesn't work, it never arrived, damaged on arrival etc.

MrsH8611

ok sweet thank you so much girls. Ya I def called paypal and they said there is no way they do shipping like that, the person selling is in charge of getting that item to the person, with payment etc. and we did it through craigslist. so I dont think we will be selling it to her because I mean she lives a few states away. so I am thinking its more a scam than anything. Thank you for all the info on paypal!!!