Using Paypal as a downpayment for an out of state large purchase??

[Anniston]

I have been helping my computerless BIL find a trailer online. Found one in MI, we are in WI. They agreed on a price and the guy is going to meet him half way on Sunday with the trailer.

The seller wants $500 as a down payment sent to him through Paypal. I was hoping someone could fill me in on how secure that is. Does Paypal back up the buyer if it turns out to be a scam?

I thank anyone in advance for info, as BIL wants to put it on my Paypal. So, even if it is a scam, I would not be out the $$, but my BIL might and I want to give him as much info about his risk as possible.

Thanks

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[iluvmybaby]

Your BIL needs to use an escrow company, paypal does not gaurentee shiz nit

[Anniston]

Thank you for the reply. I did look the email addy associated with they seller online, and seems legit, as it is tied to the name he gave and a legit organization. So, I think he is a real seller. All signs point to "good", yet I know that there is always that chance.

In my op, I did not post the agreed selling price, as I did not know it at that time. I now know that it is $2,000. And they did go back and fourth on the meeting place. So, that, plus, the guy gave a legit white pages phone number, I think it should go well.
Oh, well, my BIL will be out the cash, not me. But I think this is safe.

Again, thanks for the reply. I do not know what an escrow company is but will look it up and see what fees come into play using something like that.

[iluvmybaby]

Thank you for the reply. I did look the email addy associated with they seller online, and seems legit, as it is tied to the name he gave and a legit organization. So, I think he is a real seller. All signs point to "good", yet I know that there is always that chance.

In my op, I did not post the agreed selling price, as I did not know it at that time. I now know that it is $2,000. And they did go back and fourth on the meeting place. So, that, plus, the guy gave a legit white pages phone number, I think it should go well.
Oh, well, my BIL will be out the cash, not me. But I think this is safe.

Again, thanks for the reply. I do not know what an escrow company is but will look it up and see what fees come into play using something like that.

How did the purchase go for you BIL?

[Anniston]

Thanks for asking. Well, money wise, it went well. But the guy screwed him over on the meeting time. BIL was working a job two hours away from meeting place (an hour south of where he lives) and had to leave said place to meet the guy.

Then the guy changed it from early afternoon to eleven at night due to something coming up.

So, it was all legit, it just sucked for BIL, as he had to drive an hour north to go home for a while, only to make a long trek three hours south to buy the thing in the dark of night.

So, I did learn from this. I won't ever let anyone ask me to use my account for their purchases. I was nervous about it more than I should have been. Plus, I learned to never make out of state purchases because meeting times can change because life happens.