Quote Originally Posted by uforgot View Post
Cat - why would the google account be any different than paypal? I don't have a google account, so I'm just curious. Seems like you would still put your cc number in it. As for many not having a paypal account, I've purchased quite a few things on TE and craigslist long distance and only once did someone not have a paypal account.

As for protection, I had a problem with a TE member when I didn't receive some capris from her. I set up a complaint with paypal, won, but her account was empty at that time. Paypal deducted the funds as soon as they became available which was several months later, so it took awhile, but they eventually came through. If I had paid with a credit card, I could have filed a complaint with my cc company, so that's what I do now, back it up with a cc instead of paying for "iffy" transactions with my bank account. I'm not sure if that's any better or not, and hopefully I won't have to find out!

Geocam - guess what we are both saying is that it's possible to protect yourself, just be careful! Looks like there are many ways to do this.
I've had several people on craigslist or through other forums who didn't yet have a paypal account. It usually isn't a huge deal if they're willing to set one up.

I haven't looked at the wording recently - but paypal used to be very clear that it protect transactions cleared through ebay. Ebay does own paypal. Money transfers for purchases not conducted through ebay were not covered. This may have changed, because they did expand what they covered via ebay recently and they did expand paypal for stores to use it.. If you paid via credit card via paypal, you had the added benefit of your credit card to protect you.

Google checkout is only conducted via credit card, so you always have the added benefit of credit card protection... And because you're posting something on google base or froogle to sell, Google guarantees the transaction. If it's an especially large long distance craigslist transaction - I would really prefer to do it via google base than paypal.

Google (I can check this, 'cause I haven't looked lately) charges 2% on all purchases conducted... Last I looked it didn't work for international people.

Paypal if you do not have a premier account, 4.9% + $0.30 USD (limit of 5 transactions per 12 month period) for domestic or U.S. transactions. Cash transactions are free. If you get a premier account, then they charge 2.9% + $0.30 USD in fees on any transfer into your paypal account (including cash). I tend to send cash transfers to people who don't have a premier account if I'm buying something - because usually the price you agree on doesn't cover the 5% in fees. But for peace of mind it might be worth it.



Here's what paypal says about buyer protection:

Buyer Protection when you shop on eBay

If you don’t receive an eBay item that you purchased using PayPal, or what you receive is significantly not as described by the seller, your eligible transactions are covered for the full purchase price and original shipping cost. Find out more and see eligibility.

Buyer Complaint Policy when you shop outside eBay

Regardless of where you shop online, PayPal’s Buyer Complaint Policy lets you submit a dispute for an item you don’t receive or an item significantly not as described. By doing so, you have the opportunity to resolve your dispute directly with the seller. See eligibility.

What is the PayPal Buyer Complaint Policy?

It is PayPal’s process to help you resolve a problem with a seller through the PayPal Resolution Center for purchases that are not eligible for PayPal Buyer Protection.

The PayPal Buyer Complaint Policy is similar to PayPal Buyer Protection in that it enables buyers to file Disputes for Items Not Received (INR), or for items that are Significantly Not as Described (SNAD). However, recovery of any amounts is not guaranteed and is limited to the amounts that PayPal can recover from the seller’s Account, even if PayPal makes a final decision in your favor


# What happens if I am unable to resolve the Dispute directly with the seller?

You may escalate the Dispute to a Claim within 20 days of the date you filed the Dispute. PayPal will make a final decision for some - but not all - Claims.

PayPal will generally make a final decision for an Item Not Received (INR) Claim, but will not make a final decision for a Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) Claim, or Claims involving the following purchases: intangible items, licenses, airline flight tickets, services, vehicles, live auctions, real estate, classified ads on eBay, or other items as determined by PayPal (collectively “Ineligible Items”). This means that unless the seller voluntarily refunds your money, you will not recover any amounts for a SNAD Claim or a Claim for an Ineligible Item filed under the Buyer Complaint Policy.