Receiving/Requesting money from Romania via Paypal

Cmar-Ireland

Hi folks,

I'm currently selling a watch on adverts and I have been contacted several time by a fella from Romania that wants to buy it.
He says he has a paypal account so I can request the money from him.

But am I safe to sell it this way? Not sure if I should go ahead with this or not?

What do you think?

Cheers

jor el

I think this is a scam. There is no way someone in Romania would buy a watch from Ireland, when the same watch could be bought there for a fraction of the cost here.

AlwaysAmber

It could be legit. Designer goods and brand names are much more expensive in Eastern Europe.

Having said that, I'd still be very wary. If they really want it, try to get them to pay via Western Union or bank transfer. I would avoid PayPal if at all possible.

Cmar-Ireland

I'd prefer to ask him to send cash via registered post, but I don't want to give my address. I would have thought paypal is more secure that western union? And bank transfer means i have to supply my bank details, not to fond of that idea.

pleasant Co.

Nothing is more secure for those receiving money than western union. The problem is when you're the one sending money, if you get scammed you won't get that money back.

Anyway, I would not go through with this deal, it's too risky for a novice IMO.

Cmar-Ireland

I'll ask him to send the money via western union and see what happens. If it's a scam it probably will be the last I hear from him!

meercat

It's a scam
As others have said already
Not worth the risk
He will want you to pay for the shipping even though he says he will refund it
As soon as you pay the shipping costs he withdraws the money
He doesn't want your goods
Just the shipping money

RachaelVO

Paypal is not giving him any details, although this does smack of being a bit dodgy. Your instincts are not leading you wrong I don't think.

If you are worried about anything like that, you can add a second email address to your paypal account, and ask him to send the money to that paypal email address (rather than sending him a payment request, where he gets your primary paypal address).

That way he doesn't have your primary paypal address.

But I'm with everyone else, this smacks of being a scam! I can't see someone from Romania wanting to buy from Ireland. I'd avoid it if I was you!

Cmar-Ireland

He has come back to me saying western union suits him fine. I'm still reluctant, but is there any risk in giving my address to him?

RachaelVO

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

He has come back to me saying western union suits him fine. I'm still reluctant, but is there any risk in giving my address to him?

Do you need to give him your address for western union? (genuine question I've never used it). I always know that when family have been sent money when they were travelling and didn't have a "fixed abode" but they could still receive it. Should it not be sent to a specific WU office?

Cmar-Ireland

RachaelVO wrote: »

Do you need to give him your address for western union? (genuine question I've never used it). I always know that when family have been sent money when they were travelling and didn't have a "fixed abode" but they could still receive it. Should it not be sent to a specific WU office?

Just looking at the western union site, and I cannot find an answer. I think your right though, it would be sent to my local WU agent and once I provide identification and the transfer number I get the cash. Seems like no risk to me?

RachaelVO

Cmar-Ireland wrote: »

Just looking at the western union site, and I cannot find an answer. I think your right though, it would be sent to my local WU agent and once I provide identification and the transfer number I get the cash. Seems like no risk to me?

That's what I was thinking. I only asked cos I've never used WU! Then if there is not money waiting for you, you know not to send the watch, and if he does, SALE!

jor el

You don't need to give an address to receive money by WU, and once you have the cash in hand, it cannot be taken back. WU is very safe for the receiver.

If he pays by WU, and you get the cash, then it's fine. All you need to do is supply a name, and a location for where you will collect the money.

Cmar-Ireland

Thanks for the advice folks. He says he has no problem with WU so I'll just have to wait and see. No risk to me anyway so thats good.
Cheers

Cmar-Ireland

Just a quick update on this. He did send the money via WU. I picked it up at my local post office yesterday. I suppose there are exceptions to the scams out there !

Cheers folks...

meercat

well done
i thought it was a scam
omg i was wrong

mgbgt1978

Ah, but he might be a novice scammer just learning the ropes.
He will now claim that he never received the watch and look for a charge-back from Western Union.;)