jtranger

I am looking to purchase an item over $1000.00 from a private party from another state. I do not personally know this party and want to make a safe transaction. Is Paypal the only method to use and will Paypal refund me if I do not receive the item from the seller? Or is there a better/safer way to conduct the sale. It is too far for me to travel to the item location. Thanks

pewter99

Get name, phone number and actually speak to the person.

Is there a forum member who lives nearby who can check it out? have you asked?

Paypal is fine with a Credit Card. But not the be all end all of security.

Do what you gotta do to feel secure before sending the cash.

365GTB4

I would first investigate the seller. See if he is on any forums and look at his activity. I purchased an air gun from a gentlemen 3000 miles away with no problems. He was listed on several air gun forums and highly rated for honesty and promptness. If you can't verify the seller, I either would pass on the deal or have a friend do a face to face transaction with a certified cashiers check.

Hitch

Look up where he is and then see if one of the CF guys that post a lot is nearby. There are a lot of great people here on the forum that can help you out.

David

Muttley

Also check out Escrow.com

QIK59

As far as I know Paypal is very safe - on ebay it seems to stack the deck entirely in the buyers favour.

I don't know about non-ebay transactions.

Jerry