Can I buy a cell phone with paypal safely?

I'm thinking about buying a cell phone through Paypal, but the guy wants me to go first, if he doesn't send the item can I negotiate with Paypal easily to retrieve my money or do I have to go through complicated bank procedures?

 

Paypal will ask for a shipping ID if it's a tangible product he's selling. Make sure there's no loopholes in the description of the phone (that in small print somewhere he states you're buying a picture of the phone or something ridiculous). If the seller is unable to prove the item's been sent you'll get your money back, so there should be no complicated bank procedures.

Where are you buying the phone from?

 

USA to Mexico

Thanks for detailed advice!

 

I'd be sure to look into what happens if the product is broken. I've never personally purchased something this way, but I would assume it'd be the same process. You might want to do some googling to make sure - especially if it's an expensive phone.

 

Second hand phone, so maybe get him to verify by sending a picture with date and the phone or picture of ID?

 

I'd say it'd be safer to purchase it through ebay. It'll be safer for both of you as well as make it easier to dispute if the phone isn't what you expected.

 

Yes you'll be safe as long as you double check his selling info.

Have him video him packaging the phone and show it once its sent. That'll put your mind at ease.

 

Thanks, problem with this is that he wants payment before sending it.

Why is ebay safer?

 

Ebay has buyer / seller protection policies. You could have him set it to "refunds within 7 days" or something similar. Even if he states "no refunds" there's still ebay's buyer / seller protection.

 

Just be careful bro, you can dispute it on paypal with proper evidence but apparently ebay is better, so go with that if you can