Scam or not?

[Pettro]

@Jesse Brauning:
Can't tell if you're kidding around or not, but if you aren't - I would suggest keeping all the information about the transaction (paypal will send several mails if you are a seller and a buyer stating that your funds have been deducted + the item was shipped) along with the tracking information if you added it.

Keep all that information and perhaps require some sort of "proof-of-delivery" contract with the shipment so that the buyer HAS to sign. I hear that both UPS/FedEx and I think USPS all have a service like that at a minimal fee but it does secure your funds.

 

[ggrantly]

Do NOT assume this. You can and will get burned by people who give you money that appears fine but later turns out to be fraudulent. It is a well known scam to send checks/money orders (or bank deposit) that will take a long time to cash (foreign banks typically) so the money appears to be in-hand but when the bank finally works out the details the money is not there. This can take several weeks but at the end you will be responsible for paying the bank.

This is so common on craigslist they call out scams like these: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

Note that I said cash in hand. I always wait for funds to clear 100% before shipping merchandise. In fact, I encourage personal checks. While it is not as immediate as PayPal, if you wait for the money to clear, there isn't any weird scam recourse possible.

Grant

 

[Jason Ramsey]

Bottom line... if you are uncomfortable with the sale, then don't do it. Find a buyer that you are more comfortable selling to.