Sold game, buyer used PayPal. Now what?

SilverDuck

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I had a few games listed on eBay. I woke up today to an ended auction, and a PayPal payment for $499.00. What do I do now? In my eBay listing, I have this:

"If you plan to pay with anything other than US Cash, game cannot be removed from my property until your payment has cleared. This can take up to 10 days, depending on your bank or method of payment. I prefer you pay in cash upon pick up."

Should I tell the seller that the PayPal must make it's way to my bank before the game can be picked up? Anything else I should be aware of before letting this game leave?

The seller's address is verified via PayPal, and he has 100% feedback on eBay. What should I do?
 
I would say it depends on the shipping/pickup arrangements.

If you are shipping it, and the buyer has to arrange for it, then yeah, stick with what you said. make the money go in to your account before letting the machine go

if they are picking it up, then figure out when, and wait for the money to clear your bank account

if you put it in the ad, then you have every right to do it. when he bid, he agreed to your terms listed
 
You do exactly as you stated in the auction and hold the game until the money is in your account. Confirm this with the buyer immediately. Document everything including the fact that the game is working before the transfer occurs.
 
Tell them they have two options:

1) You will transfer the money from PayPal to your bank account - which should take about 3 business days - and they can pick up the game once the transfer is complete.

2) They can bring cash with them to pick it up now and you will refund the PayPal money while they are there....
 
I assume buyer is coming for the game, as I clearly stated that it won't be shipped.
 
Tell them they have two options:

1) You will transfer the money from PayPal to your bank account - which should take about 3 business days - and they can pick up the game once the transfer is complete.

2) They can bring cash with them to pick it up now and you will refund the PayPal money while they are there....

You took the words right out of my mouth, or...email. Those are exactly the two options I just gave the buyer.

Thanks!
 
yeah, with that info, I agree exactly with modessitt too... since pickup is the only option, those are the only two options for the buyer
 
Should I type up a bill of sale for the buyer to sign, stating the game is "as is, no refunds", just in case he tries something fishy down the road?
 
writing things down and getting a signature is never a bad idea. if you don't mind spending a few bucks, noterizing it can be good too, just so the buyer knows you're serious...

but, get a feel for the guy, could be overkill
 
If I don't know the guy, I'll write up a bill of sale (print up the Ebay page) and keep it handy. If they guy seems young, inexperienced, or flaky, I'll have him sign it showing that he received the game. I don't worry about "as-is" as that was stated in the for sale ad....
 
I had a few games listed on eBay. I woke up today to an ended auction, and a PayPal payment for $499.00. What do I do now? In my eBay listing, I have this:

"If you plan to pay with anything other than US Cash, game cannot be removed from my property until your payment has cleared. This can take up to 10 days, depending on your bank or method of payment. I prefer you pay in cash upon pick up."

Should I tell the seller that the PayPal must make it's way to my bank before the game can be picked up? Anything else I should be aware of before letting this game leave?

The seller's address is verified via PayPal, and he has 100% feedback on eBay. What should I do?

Cross your fingers and pray to God. That and make sure the money has cleared your bank account before giving them anything.
 
Ebay

Once the buyer gives you positive feedback on ebay, the money is released. I have had ebay buyers come pick up a game before and put a laptop on the control panel of the game they are buying, have them log into there account, give me positive feedback then load the game. The money is realesed almost immediately that way. I check my account right in front of them. Inexperianced buyers find this strange but if you go through the game with them and explain how your money is on hold. They understand. If I am shipping an Ebay game. I just wait for the money to clear my acount before the game goes anywhere.
 
The money isn't "on hold"....It just takes 3 days from when I "withdraw it" for it to actually be in my checking account. I have not withdrawn it yet, because I want to give the buyer the choice of paying cash ASAP vs. waiting 3 days for the money to get to me. So far, he has not replied to my email.
 
Payapl

The money isn't "on hold"....It just takes 3 days from when I "withdraw it" for it to actually be in my checking account. I have not withdrawn it yet, because I want to give the buyer the choice of paying cash ASAP vs. waiting 3 days for the money to get to me. So far, he has not replied to my email.

You need a Paypal Debit card. The withdraw limit is only $400 per day but it give you instant access to your money at least. Or $3000 per day for purchases.
 
The money isn't "on hold"....It just takes 3 days from when I "withdraw it" for it to actually be in my checking account. I have not withdrawn it yet, because I want to give the buyer the choice of paying cash ASAP vs. waiting 3 days for the money to get to me. So far, he has not replied to my email.
If you had withdrawn it yesterday you could have had the cash in your bank today. Withdraw it today and it might be there tomorrow.

Spike10 said:
Paypal > bank transfers never take longer than a day for me.
It's funny but it takes them a day to put the money in your account but about 5 for them to take it out when you pay through your bank.
 
If you had withdrawn it yesterday you could have had the cash in your bank today. Withdraw it today and it might be there tomorrow.


It's funny but it takes them a day to put the money in your account but about 5 for them to take it out when you pay through your bank.

Wrong for several reasons.

1.) The game did not sell until today around noon. The money was not there yesterday.

2.) It takes several days for the money to get from PayPal to my bank. It's never been less than two days, and often as many as 4-5 days.

3.) If I withdraw it now, and the buyer responds to my email with "Ok, I want the game tomorrow, so please refund the PayPal and I'll bring cash." ....I would not be able to do that.
 
Only problem is they paid with PayPal and they know its cleared. You mentioned payment must be cleared but no mention of it must be cleared with YOUR bank. So as far as the buyers concerned, its an instant transfer from one PayPal account to another, already cleared and good to go. Unless this is one of those rare cases where PayPal is holding the funds for verification which rarely happens (i think it only happens if the buyer is unverified or something).

If the buyer has good feedback and their PayPal is in good standing and verified, I wouldnt worry too much about it. I would however leave a number and ask the buyer to call me ASAP to make pickup arrangements. If you are more comfortable with waiting for the funds to show up in your bank, just tell the buyer your on a tight schedule for the next week or so. If they get pissy about that, hey, not your fault, they should have contacted you first to verify a reasonable pickup date for both parties before buying.
 
I just spoke to the buyer on the phone. He is really cool about the whole deal. It seems that he bought the game and already has a buyer for it, and he will probably never even see it. He is sending some of his goons for it on Saturday or Monday, and he said they will leave eBay feedback before they place it on their truck.

I guess I got all worked up with my "what if's" over nothing.
 
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