Sold guitar via Craigslist... How do I protect myself?

GonzoJohn · #1 08-01-2013, 07:49 AM

Hey guys,
For those of you that have sold a guitar on Craigslist, how do you protect yourself if the buyer uses PayPal? When I've shipped guitars, I have a paper trail and a required signature. Do I just create a receipt and have him sign it? I'll meet him in person to hand over the guitar. He's already sent the money. Thanks!

PTC Bernie · #2 08-01-2013, 07:55 AM

If you're meeting him why not refund the PayPal and do a cash transaction? Something's a little odd about that......

lapetrarca · #3 08-01-2013, 07:57 AM

ANY sale on Craigslist is strictly "CASH ONLY"!

SteveS · #4 08-01-2013, 07:57 AM

Simple - follow these rules.
1 - Do not sell anything on Craigslist unless the buyer comes to you and and pays you cash.
2 - Never take Paypal, never ship, unless you are willing to lose the guitar and have money taken back by Paypal when the buyer files a complaint.
3 - Never take a Cashier's check.

BTW - This seems fishy to me - I would refund the money and ask the seller to pay cash. If he says no, refund the money and walk away from the deal. You have no protection with Paypal. He could tell Paypal that he did not ever get the guitar and Paypal would refund his money. A bill of sale might protect you, but if he claims the guitar is a fake, then you'd be out the money and the guitar.

powerpopper · #5 08-01-2013, 08:05 AM

One reason the buyer might want to use Paypal is so he can pay with a credit card.

Judson · #6 08-01-2013, 08:11 AM

I have only bought and sold on Craigslist on a face-to-face cash basis.

So far, all have been pleasant win/win transactions.

#7 08-01-2013, 08:16 AM

Cash only and we meet at my office. (Some people arrange a meeting at a hotel lobby, bank, or other public place. That works too.)

On the purchase side, I've gone to people's homes to buy items. I check out the the neighborhood first and never go "alone".

sitedrifter · #8 08-01-2013, 08:18 AM

Nothing wrong with using Paypal if you are careful.

1. Create a receipt for the guitar showing it is AS-IS no warranty
2. Have him enter their DL # and address on the receipt (you keep it)
3. Take a picture of him with the guitar showing the date he bought it.

I know it is alot but if he can't pay with cash then he should not have an issue with your requests.

BTW, paying with paypal like another poster said is most likely because he wants it on his car since he cannot afford cash right now. That seems legit to me but still be cautious!

George Bailey · #9 08-01-2013, 08:18 AM

I would tell him my concern and refund it, and then have him pay again with the "personal" option as a gift- if that's still what it's called. There are no refunds on that. Sale is final that way.

BGS · #10 08-01-2013, 08:20 AM

SteveS nailed it - never take PayPal for a face-to-face transaction. All they have to do is file a claim that they never received the guitar, and they'll win by default since you won't have any tracking info to upload.

Transylvania · #11 08-01-2013, 08:21 AM

[QUOTE=SteveS;3568105]Simple - follow these rules.
1 - Do not sell anything on Craigslist unless the buyer comes to you and and pays you cash.
2 - Never take Paypal, never ship, unless you are willing to lose the guitar and have money taken back by Paypal when the buyer files a complaint.
3 - Never take a Cashier's check.

[QUOTE]

I would add to meet in a neutral location. I have bought and sold on Craig's list without problems.

MrMartyr · #12 08-01-2013, 08:25 AM

I have the buyer come to my house and pay me cash. I'm a really big guy (6'3") and I've got shoulders that are as broad as the door is wide. Even the sketchiest looking buyers are real nice to me.

jdinco · #13 08-01-2013, 08:30 AM

I've sold and bought off of CL with no problems, met some nice folks. But the last expensive guitar I listed, I got the scam email stating that they would pay with Paypal and send someone to pick it up. Huge red flags. Also, they typically wont call you or give you a phone number.

If you talked to the person and he called you right away, you may be OK. I do not know how they can pay with Paypal then retract the money, but they can. Perhaps as stated above. For me it is a gut feel when talking to them if they are OK. I have met them in my home, but they lived blocks away, it would be better practice to meet them at Starbucks....or a parking lot of a busy area.

Also, perhaps you could delay delivery until the money is transfered to your bank account.

Bluside · #14 08-01-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr-M

Nothing wrong with using Paypal if you are careful.

1. Create a receipt for the guitar showing it is AS-IS no warranty
2. Have him enter their DL # and address on the receipt (you keep it)
3. Take a picture of him with the guitar showing the date he bought it.

I know it is alot but if he can't pay with cash then he should not have an issue with your requests.

BTW, paying with paypal like another poster said is most likely because he wants it on his car since he cannot afford cash right now. That seems legit to me but still be cautious!

I agree with this. I always prefer a cash deal. However, I did sell a Martin D-41 once, and the buyer wanted to use Paypal. I knew where he lived and had his phone #. We just wrote up a receipt saying he took deliver of the guitar. All went well.

Opa John · #15 08-01-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapetrarca

ANY sale on Craigslist is strictly "CASH ONLY"!

Absolutely! Face to face in a neutral place and CASH ONLY!!

These days I'd also recommend taking a large friend who has a CCW permit, but that may be just a little over the top.