How have you guys handled Ebay?

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I may be buying a machine off the big Bay. What's the safest way to go about transacting the money? I plan on picking the machine up. Is it better to just pay cash when I pick it up or Paypal it then go get it? I figure with Paypal, at least he can't go back to Ebay and say I never paid for it, but I really don't know.
 
I just won an auction for a Super Punch-Out!! two weeks ago on eBay. Won the auction, PayPaled the money, and picked up the game 2 hours later. It all went very smoothly!

I have also won eBay auctions for several pinball machines as well as a Zwackery machine about 10 years ago. Had to ship the pinball machines from different states and the Zwackery came from Canada so it even had to go through customs. Never once had a problem.

Wish you the same luck!
 
You should use Paypal, Isn't it about the only form of Approved payment now on Ebay? Unless the seller is local then maybe Cash. I only accept Paypal when I sell on Ebay also. Been using Paypal since before Ebay bought them.

Remember when Paypal gave your money to sign up and for each friend you had sign up??
 
I may be buying a machine off the big Bay. What's the safest way to go about transacting the money? I plan on picking the machine up. Is it better to just pay cash when I pick it up or Paypal it then go get it? I figure with Paypal, at least he can't go back to Ebay and say I never paid for it, but I really don't know.

When you are picking up in person, I prefer cash, but inspect the item first.

That's the advantage of in person pickup, after all. The only time I would do anything different is if the deal is sketchy somehow and I don't want the cash on me.
 
If it's an eBay transaction, I'd use PayPal. Then you have a record of the transaction, and if anything goes awry, it can be worked out. With cash, there's no receipt and if something goes wrong, you could be SOL.
 
I would communicate outside of ebay with the seller depending on how much it is. He is going to lose 3% approx. thru paypal. He may give you a lower price if you pay cash who knows and it will cost you less.
 
The few games I bought on or off eBay (emailed seller and made deal) were all cash at pickup.. That was years ago before eBay became what it is now :(
 
I always pay cash when I pick something up. I picked up my Star Wars and Return of the Jedi from a guy who lived a couple hours away. I let him know ahead of time I would be picking them up in a week or two and would pay then, he was totally cool with that. I ended up buying a Baby PacMan from him for a friend while I was there.
 
Pay cash when you pick it up! Like someone else stated ask the seller for a discount since your not paying PayPal, more than likely they will do that.

I know you're the buyer but here's something to think about for anyone that accepts paypal from a buyer that's picking the game up from them. As a seller I never let someone pay me via PayPal for anything they are picking up from me. The seller is not protected at all! PayPal will 100% tell you to NEVER accept PayPal for an item that's picked up from your house. If anything ever comes up PayPal will side with the buyer every time in cases like this.

I use square. It's good if the person wants to pick the game up and does not have cash but wants to use a debit or credit card. They charge less of a fee than PayPal and the person can use their credit/debit card at your house after they have inspected the game. I've never had a charge back using square. I have an iPhone but you can use it with other devices as well.


I may be buying a machine off the big Bay. What's the safest way to go about transacting the money? I plan on picking the machine up. Is it better to just pay cash when I pick it up or Paypal it then go get it? I figure with Paypal, at least he can't go back to Ebay and say I never paid for it, but I really don't know.
 
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