Buying a phone with paypal

[r_chez_08]

I have decided on a smartphone, and have found a good deal on gumtree- like the UK's craigslist.
I have been contacting the seller by text, and he said £120 (300+new, usually £200 used) and the phone has no scuffs. He wanted the money by bank transfer, but I insisted paypal (he is sending the phone). He gave me a paypal address, but I wanted pictures before I paid. They said that the pictures wouldn't send- it kept on failing to send.
Should I just pay him with paypal, and am I covered if anything goes wrong, e.g. Wrong item, damaged item, not sent etc?

If anyone could give me their opinion that would be great!
Thanks
Rob

 

[gvfc2]

couldnt you deal with him localy? just curious

 

[r_chez_08]

Don't think he is at all local, and shipping a phone should be far cheaper than fuel. Do you reccon it's safe? I think I might be pissing him off a little asking for pics of the phone, cos I asked a lot, he didn't reply today, and I don't want to loose the deal.

 

[gvfc2]

i would want pics of the phone to make sure you are getting what he says you are getting. what type of phone is it? if you are paying him it might be fine. but dont take my word for it. i havnt used paypal that much. only for items on ebay

Edit: see if he would send the pictures by email. that might get through better then text would

 

[r_chez_08]

He has been trying by email. I said maybe try photo bucket and gave him two email addresses. I tried ringing him a few times too from my home phone, but it went to answerphone, probably just missed the calls- I always do.

It is a HTC sensation. There are a few negative reviews, but that is the same with every product.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

paypal should work good because if you get ripped off you can get your money back

 

[Badot]

A seller requesting a bank transfer, asking for your bank account number, claiming to be a nigerian prince, etc. are usually the first signs to run away as fast as you can... at least in the US.

 

[robbie]

Right, I was just going to say the same thing. I don't know if there's a problem like this in the UK, but here in the USA if somebody wants a bank transfer you can assume that you are dealing with a con artist.

For me, the deal would stop right there. Considering that your seller now can't seem to send photos for some reason, I'd say that chances are somewhere between 99 and 100% that he is trying to rip you off. The reason he can't send the photos is because he doesn't have the product.

 

[Jcotz]

I agree that the bank transfer idea is something to stay away from, but you can always file something with paypal and get your money back if he is actually a con artist.

 

[landuse]

Funny enough, here in South Africa, bank transfer is pretty much all that gets used. It is normal. I have bought lots on Gumtree, and all you do is get the persons bank details and do a electronic transfer. Paypal is nonexistant here (or I think it might have just started).

Websites that sell stuff have their bank details on their website for all to see and use for payment.

 

[r_chez_08]

Ok, I am still not 100% about the seller, but I will see if he replies to my texts.
If I get pictures I will be happy.

 

[r_chez_08]

He is not replying, but I got a message from someone today, replying to my add on gumtree. I am going to ge getting the same phone for £150, which is fine by me considering it would have only been £20 more than the other one after paypal fees and postage.

 

[r_chez_08]

Two people contacted me today, one with a htc sensation normal for £150, the other with a HTC sensation XL for £150, with Dr dre beats headphones! I am buying both I will sell the one I like least on ebay, probably the XL because it goes for £300- I will essentially pay for the other phone! SWEET!
both sellers sent me pics, the phones are MINT, and have had screen protectors.
I have paid by paypal 'GOODS' so i should have 100% comeback