Real quick, anyone have any expirience with receiving Paypal payments from people in the Russian Fed?

I'm considering making a deal but I've never sold to anyone in Russia.

I just sell all my stuff to some guy in Japan.

Never did paypal with Russia, but looks like it's possible: https://www.paypal.com/worldwide/ In my experience it's usually harder for people outside of the US to do the transaction than it is for us here. Having said that, I received a lot of paypal scam emails while trying to sell something on Craigslist a few months back, so it must not be as secure as paypal claims. You can also do it with a bank wire transfer. Costs both the seller and the buyer money but it's another option. I spoke with the branch manager at my bank once about international transactions and she flat out told me nothing is 100% secure. Wasn't what I wanted to hear, but she was probably right.

Keep in mind that dealing international if done even straight down the line there is a time factor involved. Using paypal between Canada and the US if you have your account linked to a credit card it's automatic (however there could still be a scam on the credit card end which could then come back and not sure whether paypal covers that or if you get hit up for it). Having it linked to a bank account to do a transfer still involves anywhere around 3-5 business days to clear an account to transfer. Wire transfers and other payment methods have extra costs charged at both ends and there is still time involved in the process. So be prepared for time to clear funds and if the deal is legit both parties shouldn't mind the extra time to ensure it's good.
Beware of anything that is really rushed or if there is any hint of sending more money than needed and you keep some and send the purchased item plus the extra money or getting a 3rd party involved in the money end of things.

be careful! I have had 3 dealings with the Russian federation and all were a scam. So now unfortunately anyone that comes to me from there I immediately turn away. I wish you good luck in your transaction.

Oh man you guys are making itch now.

He sent me a message agreeing to my terms but something in the last email didn't make sense. I sent him a response to clarify.

I don't mind selling to him if he doesn't mind waiting until the funds are here and clear.

We'll see....

Talk to your bank and if you use PayPal, read every line of their agreement and terms. When I spoke to my bank they explained that even if funds are deposited in my account it could takes weeks before I can be absolutely sure they won't be jerked out because of fraud on the other end. She did a good job of scaring me.

Having said that, I've done business with overseas companies dozens of times and so far no issues. Most people in this world are honest, it's just that small percentage of dishonest people you have to be on the look out for.

done a lot of transactions with paypal. bottom line is if the seller or the buyer wants to contest the deal weeks later after they have the product, they can, and if they win you loose. if it feels wrong, don't do it. if something is just not right, don't. if they are really legit than have them wire the $$ to you and not to your account but to your bank. did a couple of transaction that way and the buyer backed out of the deal. guess he was a scam. in the end, cash talks and the rest walks.

oh yah, credit cards are just as bad.

Thanks for he input guys, I really appreciate it.

What if they are sending the $ as a "Gift"?

Any thoughts on that?

PayPal does not cover anything. If it's a scam you are libel for all money received.
Ask for payment as a Western Union Moneygram.
That way you have the cash in hand before you ship anything.

Quote:

Originally posted by kiteplace PayPal does not cover anything. If it's a scam you are libel for all money received. Ask for payment as a Western Union Moneygram. That way you have the cash in hand before you ship anything.

If I were you, and I had doubts, the above is what I would do...

The safest way is for you to have the funds PRIOR to send the item. Even if he pays through PayPal, wait the day/s that take for the money to be in your account.
THEN send the item.
If he agree's, good. If not, his loss.

I'm saying this because that was the way I bought my Scorpion and I had to trust a guy I never saw in my life but that's the way it goes. I wanted it, I accepted the terms.
I made the payment, he collected the money THEN he sent the kite.

Also, the "send money as gift" is because the fee that PayPal charges is smaller then if it's sent as a payment/service (whatever). Thing is, someone has to pay that fee (for £200, I paid an extra £8 fee). Either the sender or the receiver.
Make sure you both agree on who's paying that fee. Him when sending the money, or You when receiving it.

Good luck with the deal

Regards
João

P.S: Also, about the "send as a gift", it took no time at all (maybe couple of hours) from the time I sent the money to the time the other person received the message that the money had been paid but nonetheless, wait at least 5-6 business days before sending the item.
Why? Because if he has the PayPal account attached to his credit card, he can still (during that time) prevent the bank from clearing the money.

So the Russian guy who wants to buy a sent me scans of his passport and his credit card. :shocked2:

Wow! Seriously?

I'm totally going to have to back out of this one. Sux but better safe.....

Thanks for all the input guys.

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd So the Russian guy who wants to buy a sent me scans of his passport and his credit card. :shocked2: Wow! Seriously? I'm totally going to have to back out of this one. Sux but better safe..... Thanks for all the input guys.

He probably is legit and wants what you're selling. He would probably agree to the wire transfer that gives you money in hand that no one can come back and take later.

Quote:

Originally posted by Feyd So the Russian guy who wants to buy a sent me scans of his passport and his credit card. :shocked2: Wow! Seriously? I'm totally going to have to back out of this one. Sux but better safe..... Thanks for all the input guys.

I had a similar transaction. The guy did the same thing. He emailed me pictures of his license, passport and cc. Even though I went through with the transaction (and had no problems .. thankfully) you still do not know 100% the person sending you the info is the actual person. I could rob someones house and get all those documents and email them over to you.
It sounds like the person might be legit since they keep trying to work with you. Usually if its a scam they go away at the first sign of you questioning them. But its your kite and your money ... so its your call

@ Soma .. just because the money gets transferred to your bank account Paypal has no problems pulling it right back out. I have had them pull out money 3 weeks after the transaction. I think there might be some sort of time line where the money is for sure yours and they will not come after it but I do not know what that time frame is off hand.

reported chinese knock off crap