Buyer having "problem" with PayPal.

[50sad]

Hello 

I'd like some advice please, if possible. I'm a fairly new seller and have not experienced all the problems that may arise yet.  This is a new one on me.

I've sold an item a day ago and the buyer has emailed me this evening saying that their PayPal account isn't working, and EBay won't accept their Bank card. She asking if there's another way to pay.  As it's quite an expensive item, I'm trying to protect myself up front, and don't know how to respond. The buyer has only 2 feedbacks left for her from nearly a year ago, but they're both positive.  

Is it possible that there is a genuine problem with PayPal, or should I be suspicious?   

Grateful for any help and advice.

ETA

Thank you for the advice.  Much appreciated.  It is indeed the Pandora Bracelet, and yes the first non payer has been reported through the proper channels. Thank you.

Since I posted this last night, I've been into my messages this morning and the buyer has managed to pay, but wants it sending to a different house number in the same street.  I've confirmed payment in Paypal but they have the original address (house number) the same as the Ebay notification of payment. The original address has been confirmed in Paypal,  but obviously not the new one.  

I fully intended to send the item Special Delivery etc, but am now concerned about the change of house number.  The address is real....googled it and it's a private house...so I suppose it could be a relative .....but ....!!!    I thought of emailing the person,  through EBay of course, so there is a record of me asking why the change of address, but I wondered about seller protection being lost by not sending to the registered house number.  Is there anything else I can do to protect myself before I send the item?  Thanks

Incidently,I must apologise as I couldn't seem to see my post from last night when I looked first thing,  so didn't see your answer.  In the meantime I've posted the second stage, i.e. that they've now paid etc, as a separate question.  Duh, sorry about that, put it down to my age!  I'll keep my eye on both questions now for an answer. 

[023mjc · Accepted solution]

Is it the pandora bracelet.  An item like this will attract the scammers who are hoping to take advantage of your inexperience.

That said, there have been other reports on these boards for a few days now, regarding problems with paypal, so it's anyones guess whether the buyer is telling the truth, or trying to scam you.

You can accept bank transfer but your buyer will lose their protection. There are 3 other ways, though not ideal. Cash on collection if the buyer lives close enough to get to you,  a cheque - but the buyer needs to understand that you will not post the item till it's cleared, which is likely to be a week, or a postal order. The buyer buys the postal order from the post office (it will cost more because there is a fee) but it's as good as cash when you get it so you can send the item straight away.  You just take it to the post office and cash it.

I notice you have sold the bracelet twice. If you had a non payer the first time, did you go through the unpaid item dispute in order to get your fees refunded. If not, you will be charged twice.