Seller has Paypal problems, going to request payment via PayPal app -risky?

[parkefamily]

Hi, I made an offer on an item which seller has accepted. When I've gone to pay by Paypal, I get the message 'Seller cannot accept payments right now. Please contact seller'

The seller has messaged me saying she is having problems with her PayPal, that she called PayPal and they have advised her to request payment through the PayPal app. She says she needs me to give her my email address so she can request payment via PayPal goods and services. 

Is it ok to do this? Are there any risks of paying this way?

[red_magpie · Accepted solution]

Are there any risks of paying this way?

To be sure of qualifying the purchase for eBay's money back guarantee, it's more problem free to pay through eBay checkout. There are also potential risks if you disclose your Paypal email, involving fake emails which pretend to be from Paypal.

As you're the buyer, this may be unlikely, but you don't have to even consider taking the risk. Forget what PayPal may, or may not have told her about suggesting that you pay her through the app. It's up to her to sort out any problems with PayPal so that you can pay through eBay checkout in the normal way. 

If, as has been suggested, it's a trick to by a new seller to avoid her funds from being held for secutity reasons, it would be very unwise to help her to circumvent a precaution that is specifically designed to ensure that she can't withdraw your payment until you have confirmed receiving your item.

I'm afraid you always have to be suspicious on eBay. There are scams and tricks everywhere. Best to stick exactly to the rules, and don't be persuaded to pay in any non-standard way.

[john1297576]

Is it a new seller? Do they have any feedback for selling or DSRs.

If so they are trying to get round the Hold on their money.

I don't understand what they mean by the Paypal app. If they are having problems with their Paypal Account why would paying by a different way make any difference.

I am afraid that this may be perfectly harmless but I am suspicious of the reasons, and it is your money that is at risk.

What have you bought? If it is an attempt to get round the Hold on the money, you could find that seller has disappeared before you discover you are not getting anything.

[parkefamily]

They do have 60 feedback for selling - all positive apart from a neg for a not as described 6 months ago. Nothing to suggest a hold related to recent sale.