Reverb Seller wants me to pay direct via Paypal, but outside Reverb

SunDevil

A chunk of change in a foreign country, so it sets my Spidi-senses tingling

It's for a vintage amp, so proving 'not as described' could quickly become a minefield

IF (big if!) I were to go down this route, do I have any real protection from Paypal?

wesker123

I don't think you will be covered if PayPal PPG is used in this instance.
I would bin it off mate. 

stonevibe

You lose a lot of extra protection that you would have via Reverb, so it is not worth the risk. Sure Reverb aren't perfect, but they can step in and help out if something goes wrong.

Jimbro66

Sellers sometimes ask for payment to be made outside Reverb to avoid the 3.5% Reverb fee, even though they are happy for Reverb to find their buyer

If you pay by full PayPal (not PPG) you could still have protection but only if the seller complies with their shipping requirements.

It could be OK but could equally be risky, particularly shipping an amp.

Strat54

Pass. Seriously, don't do it. 

mikeyrob73

Nope nope nope do not do. Reverb’s fees are currently 3.5% it’s nothing 

mbe

If a seller is out to screw Reverb then they might have no scruples about screwing a buyer.

SunDevil

Thanks Gents

I recently sold an amp cash on collection via Reverb and paid the fee where I could have ducked it, so what's being suggested doesn't work for me on that level too

I'm a firm believer that we should be supporting Reverb as an alternative to Ebay and where the Classifieds here haven't worked and I appreciate their honesty policy

Tex Mexico

I used to get this a lot on Ebay. Always said no.

If someone uses a service, then asks you to help them dodge that service's fee, what are they likely to behave like if there's a problem with the transaction later?

I don't like fees either. I still pay them, or I just don't use the service.

Moominpapa

So the seller doesn't want to pay the fees for the service that got him a potential sale? That dishonesty doesn't bode well for you having a good transaction.

SunDevil

Agree - between that and the heady 1.2% discount he's prepared to offer on an item that's open to offers, it's not happening

ourmaninthenorth

The first and merest hint of any static in any deal, regardless of the item....gone. 

There are some right dogs out there, but they can't bite you if you're out of range. 

impmann

If you aren’t 100% comfortable, walk away. 

BeardyAndy

They are being either greedy or dodgy, avoid!

revsorg

What happens if you offer to increase the purchase price by 3.5%?  If they accept that then they're probably just trying to avoid the fee.  If they still don't want to do it then there's something seriously wrong.

But as others have said, this indicates an immoral seller which is a red flag.