Accepting Craigslist payment via PayPal

[tahoedrew]

It's been years since I've sold anything on eBay and used PayPal. I have an "L" series Canon lens I'm selling to a guy in Chicago via Craigslist. Appears legit as he's got a website and everything and responded with an email that had a signature line that included phone number and website. What do I have too look out for in terms of getting the money and making sure I actually HAVE the money before sending the item?

Thanks,
~A

[Psurfer]

Unless you good reason to trust him, I'd have him pay by USPS money order (immediate verifiable, or cashier's check (wait a few days for it to clear > deposit). Not only will you not have to worry about a chargeback of the payment, you won't have to eat the Paypal fee (probably $25 or more for an L lens).

There are an awful lot of scammers for expensive items offered on CL.

[crispy]

The best way to tell is to independently login to PP and look at your received items.

1. Is there something there.
2. Is it from the email address (at least the domain you were expecting it)
3. Is the amount correct. Not $800 more that you are supposed to send to an address in Nigeria.

Obviously PP isn't perfect or you wouldn't be asking. Use the sniff test.

[Lux Interior]

Deal locally.

Cash.

In person.

[ADent]

PayPal can always do a charge back.

Are you mailing this off?

If you are in person at least get a photo copy of a Driver's License or something so you at least know who you are dealing with.