How do I know someone is legitimate or not?

[chafur_70]

I'm trying to sell an expensive and very heavy item. I listed it for "Local Pickup" only. Someone is inquiring about it, but has not made an offer yet. I clicked on their ID and it shows member since February 16, 2000. This person has 18 positive reviews, 0 Neutral, and 0 Negative. How can I be sure this is valid? Can someone "fake" positive reviews or their membership date? Could this person be using someone else's account? Simply  clicking on someone's ID and seeing good reviews and a long membership history is not much information to go on, especially if it can be manipulated. Can I trust this?

[softersilk]

---

@chafur_70 wrote:

I'm trying to sell an expensive and very heavy item. I listed it for "Local Pickup" only. Someone is inquiring about it, but has not made an offer yet. I clicked on their ID and it shows member since February 16, 2000. This person has 18 positive reviews, 0 Neutral, and 0 Negative. How can I be sure this is valid? Can someone "fake" positive reviews or their membership date? Could this person be using someone else's account? Simply  clicking on someone's ID and seeing good reviews and a long membership history is not much information to go on, especially if it can be manipulated. Can I trust this?

---

Just be sure, no matter who the buyer is, to ONLY accept cash at payment.  Per Paypal SPP, there's no coverage if you accept Paypal for local pickup.

[sam9876]

"Per Paypal SPP, there's no coverage if you accept Paypal for local pickup."

False.

[southern*sweet*tea]

NO seller protection on local pickups.

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/seller-protection What isn’t covered by Seller Protection?

Most PayPal transactions are covered as long as they follow these requirements. However, there are instances where Seller Protection doesn’t apply:

• Claims, chargebacks, or reversals filed because the item is significantly different from how it was described (e.g. you described an item as “new,” but sent a used one).
• Intangible purchases like services, digital goods, etc.
• Items picked up locally or in person.
• Transactions made through PayPal Direct, Virtual Terminal, PayPal Business, or PayPal Here.
• Instances where you receive multiple payments for an item.
• Claims filed directly through an eBay account.
• Prohibited items such as drug paraphernalia, ammunition/firearms, or counterfeit goods.
• First Class Mail International, since the receipt only shows the address the order was delivered to – not the customer's address.

[sam9876]

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-safety-and-security

[luckythewinner]

---

@sam9876 wrote:

"If you take payment by paypal and have local pickup, you have no online viewable tracking from an eBay-recognized carrier to prove you delivered the item to the buyer."

So what?

---

Proof of delivery increases your chances of a successful defense to a chargeback or unauthorized use claim. 

[sam9876]

Proof of delivery is not required for items that are picked up.

[penguins_dont_fly]

PayPal Buyer Protection DOES NOT cover INR for items picked up in person ... but DOES cover Item Not as Described claims.

So, one can say that there Is some Seller Protection for Local pick up ... but only for INR.

And PayPal SNAD usually requires that the buyer return the item at their expense ... I don't know how that works with local pick up, though.

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/ua/useragreement-full

Ineligible items and transactions under PayPal’s Purchase Protection program

Payments for the following are not eligible for reimbursement under PayPal Purchase Protection:

• Real estate, including residential property.
• Financial products or investments of any kind.
• Businesses (when you buy or invest in a business).
• Vehicles, including, but not limited to, motor vehicles, motorcycles, caravans, aircraft and boats.
• Significantly Not As Described claims for custom-made items.
• Donations including payments on crowdfunding platforms.
• Items prohibited by the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy.
• For Item Not Received claims, items which you collect in person or arrange to be collected on your behalf, including items bought in a seller’s store location.
• Industrial machinery used in manufacturing.
• Anything purchased from, or an amount paid to, a government agency.
• Stored value items such as gift cards and pre-paid cards.
• Gambling, gaming and/or any other activity with an entry fee and a prize.
• Payments sent using PayPal’s friends and family functionality. 
• Payments sent using PayPal to any bill payment service.
• Payments made using PayPal Payouts and Mass Pay or guest checkout transactions (i.e. not sent using your PayPal account).

[v7bbn_0]

How do I know you are?

[v7bbn_0]

---

@sam9876 wrote:

"If you take payment by paypal and have local pickup, you have no online viewable tracking from an eBay-recognized carrier to prove you delivered the item to the buyer."

So what?

---

A lot of false information on these boards again.

Neither ebay nor paypal offer buyer / seller protection for items picked up locally in person.

There is no filing an "Item Not Received" claim for local pickup items.