On 12/14/06, Mark Brush <mbrush@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I wonder if anyone can provide me with some advice.  I found someone
> willing
> to sell me a rear wiper motor via GoWesty classifieds.  The seller
> contacted
> me via e-mail and said he has one and he can be paid via paypal.  I was
> getting ready to put his e-mail address into the paypal system, but then I
> thought, "how can I be sure this'll work?"  Could someone just surf around
> ISO items, say they have something and collect the cash without delivering
> the goods?  I guess it's just the risk I take, but I didn't know if
> there's
> an easy way to check on whether someone is legit (or whether the paypal
> system can help make sure someone's legit).  I don't see the e-mail on
> this
> list, and I can't find it on eBay, so I just don't know.
>
> thanks for any advice - Mark B.

You have something like 30 days to file a claim in Paypal for an item not
delivered or substantially different from what you you thought you were
buying. Paypal takes the money out of their account while the dispute is
uresolved. This is also the main reason (other than fees) why even
legitimate seller's do not like Paypal. Regardless of fault, Paypal takes
the fund before a resolution is found. Tricky because the seller might take
the money out of Paypal before you file your dispute. Paypal can suspend
their account if they do not return the money if the ruling goes your way.

A reputation on the List or places like Ebay is not guaranty of a reputable
Seller. I bought some parts from Flo Lemke (in Germany) who is/was a
listmember on both the Vanagon and Syncro List. I let the time pass and was
unable to get Paypal or Ebay to help. He kept my money and I received zero
parts. Shame on me to assume that the Seller is trustworthy just because he
was a listmember.

Check the seller's feedback record in Ebay if possible. Check TheSamba as
well as GoWesties forum for same. If you still feel uneasy, then buy from
someone else.

BenT