NeXT
Veteran Member
This rule has been established on other forums I frequent for upwards of a decade. Looking through our marketplace rules it does not appear to be posted here. As our hobby has grown from E-waste and trash picked hardware to both desirable and high-value systems and third party solutions it has also attracted individuals who wish to cut corners on sales to benefit their bottom line.
As an anti-fraud and honesty practice, items listed in on and off-topic marketplaces can not use PayPal "Friends and Family" for payment. I'm not sleeping on your couch or showing up for Thanksgiving every year.
-Friends and Family is a fee-free* transaction method that provides no buyer protections. Once you send the money, you can't get it back. This type of transaction is popular with the Triangle Scam.
-Some sellers will demand Friends and Family as a way to skirt PayPal and regional taxes, especially volume product sellers or sellers listing high-value items who wish not to pay the sales tax. This is a very gray-area.
-Other sellers will offer an item with two prices: One if you pay Friends and Family. The other if you pay normally using "Goods and Services", albeit with a higher price. Since taxes on the transaction are calculated at the time of transfer the seller may "estimate" the cost of fees and will overcharge in an attempt to make a few more dollars. You are not required to pay their bills.
Likewise while the forum cannot enforce private transactions carried out in messaging, you are at no time obligated to complete a transaction in PM's where a seller decides out of public view to change the payment terms. This can be reported to forum staff.
As an anti-fraud and honesty practice, items listed in on and off-topic marketplaces can not use PayPal "Friends and Family" for payment. I'm not sleeping on your couch or showing up for Thanksgiving every year.
-Friends and Family is a fee-free* transaction method that provides no buyer protections. Once you send the money, you can't get it back. This type of transaction is popular with the Triangle Scam.
-Some sellers will demand Friends and Family as a way to skirt PayPal and regional taxes, especially volume product sellers or sellers listing high-value items who wish not to pay the sales tax. This is a very gray-area.
-Other sellers will offer an item with two prices: One if you pay Friends and Family. The other if you pay normally using "Goods and Services", albeit with a higher price. Since taxes on the transaction are calculated at the time of transfer the seller may "estimate" the cost of fees and will overcharge in an attempt to make a few more dollars. You are not required to pay their bills.
Likewise while the forum cannot enforce private transactions carried out in messaging, you are at no time obligated to complete a transaction in PM's where a seller decides out of public view to change the payment terms. This can be reported to forum staff.
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