Advertised the sidecar on Gumtree,
Received an email via gumtree to contact a potential buyer direct via email.

Here is what I said.
Hi Mark,

I already have an offer of $1000 for it with someone else coming for a look on Monday night.
I will not be around from tomorrow until Monday as I am going away for the weekend.
If I get somewhere around the $1500 I would take the deal.

So he replies the following.

Thanks for the swift response...I am OK with the asking price.due to the nature of my job and location...i will not be able to come for inspection,am a very busy type as i work long hours everyday,i have gone through your advertisement and i am satisfied with it.As for the payment..i will be paying you via the fastest and secure way to pay online(PayPal).If you don't have a paypal account, you can easily set up one...log on to www.paypal.com.au and sign up.you can alternatively send your bsb and account number you can receive a direct deposit into your bank account from paypal.I have a private courier agent that will come for the pick up after the payment have been made ...so no shipping included.You can now send me your details so i can pay in right away and also include your address in your reply.Kindly delete the posting as am definitely buying it from you and it will not be picked up until you have your funds credit to your bank account,kindly help me look into this and get back to me asap.Thanks.

Now this is nearly word for word the same as an email I got last month selling my Pinball Machine.
Sounds Legit ''''''''""""""""' Right """""""""""""""" 

Anyway I replied:

Sorry Mark, I will not accept Paypal.
I have had money reversed from my account with little recourse before and refuse to use them now.
If you are unable to make alternate arrangements then we can not proceed with any sale.
Sorry, I just can’t afford to lose any more money.
Regards
Nigel

So what do you think, have I burn't a potential full price buyer. lol 

It's a tough call.

The only scams with paypal that I am aware of is the flamin fees they charge when you are a seller. As for western union.....steer clear.

It's also an uncomfortable feeling giving your account number and bsb to a complete stranger, however they can only deposit into your account with those details.

I have bought a couple of bikes sight unseen (except for photos) from ebay and all has worked out well. What is important to me though is to ring the seller up and talk for a while about the bikes first. Selling things on the other hand is another matter. When selling on gumtree I always state "text messages will be ignored". Surprising how many scammers still text message you when you say that. Even email messages I would insist for seller to call first. If they can't afford the phone call they can't afford the sidecar.

If the guy has paid money into your account....and your bank says the funds are there when you call them....then it's hard to think you can go wrong. Although I would not tell anyone I was going to be out if they knew where I lived.

My issue with Paypal is that I had a mate who sold some bike parts with payment through Paypal.

The guy reckoned that the goods were not as described and Paypal took the money back.
Only recourse was a loong slow process through Paypal so he last out, no money, no parts.

Proof will be in wether I hear back I suppose.

I sold a Pinball machine a couple of months ago and I received exactly the same email, when I messaged back that I didn't have Paypal they even sent me a link to the instructions on how to sign up.
I think I might just hold off on this sale.

This smells like an African or eastern European scam. I'd tell him to kindly Fuck off

It's a classic scam!

Yep definite scam. Do not deal with them anymore. I do not deal with gumtree anymore as it is rife with scams.

Definitely a scam mate, they deposit the money in your paypal account, courier comes around and collects vehicle, then they make a claim thru paypal and get their money back and you have nothing - no money and no vehicle. Unfortunately if you are as lucky as me, look forward to phishing emails - the pricks have nothing better to do.
Be very wary of any emails from 'paypal' they make them look very legitimate. Personally I don't even reply to these type of responses from 'buyers'.

On the flipside, you'll most likely be offered several hundred million pounds to hold in your bank account soon " border="0" src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif" />

DocGreen

Def scam, they're all pretty much worded the same.

Old saying mate

CASH is KING...

Scam. Have had the same response nearly word for word a couple of times.

Paypal is 100% safe if you are paying for and asking a refund 
If you are selling thats were you can get stung ther are way to many smart cunts out there lurking about
Paypal emails must be hhtp or fuck them off 
 

I'm with the other responders, scam.

Tell him to deposit the money in the courier's account and have the courier to bring cash with him.

Yeh PayPal is fucked, people scam with it all the time. As for giving your BSB and bank account details that can be scammed as well. Apart from trying to hack it (which some scammers do) all they have to do is pay your bank by credit card, then complain to the credit card company that the goods didn't show or were faulty and bang, the credit card company reverses the payment as well. Same as PayPal they rip it straight out of your account. That's why credit card companies recommend you pay by credit card because of the protections. The problem is it protects the buyer, not the poor seller!

78Gold - I edited the title of this thread. Avoid using profanities in thread titles.

That's a standard scam response, don't touch it.

I've had a few worded like that. My brother had one worded the same, and played with him a little - got to the point where he was talking about the special fuel needed for the modifed engines, which were pulled straight out of an SR-71.
The scammer had no idea what an SR-71 was, kept playing...gave up when the bro told him he accepted payment in mexican midgets.

We need a HDF money holding middle man, when all is good they send out the cash !!!!!!!

Paypal is good.

Scam!

They will send you fake PayPal links to try and get your information, and fleece you of your money.  I had one similar a few months ago, and led them along for a bit.  When they started putting on heaps of pressure, I mentioned reporting it, and the contact disappeared, and the profile was deleted from Gumtree.  Cash in the bank I say.  Anyone can do an electronic transfer these days. Just my 2c.

 

New Townsville rider - 2015 Streetbob - Living the Dream!