This is not entirely true and something I see at work all the time. You can dispute a wire for up to 60 days after you receive your statement (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/policy-compliance/rulemaking/regulations/1005/11/) with your financial institution, plus the length (10 - 45 days) of the investigation. The money isn't really "safe" for several months after the transfer. Go with cash.

Pretty much this. It's a "tinfoil hat" until they take your money back. Happened to me once, haven't used it since, won't use it again.

In my case, PayPal took it and returned it to the buyer/scammer. I sold some stuff on Ebay, shipped with both insurance and tracking. The buyer claimed with PayPal it never arrived. I submitted my receipt with their zip code, my credit card statement, and the delivery conformation. Since I didn't send it signature confirmed there was "not enough evidence" to deny his claim and the money was returned and my stuff was gone. That was the last time I sold anything on Ebay and took PayPal from someone I didn't know.

It's not about what you do unfortunately, it's about the case the other person can make and the luck of the draw with PayPal who is notorious for siding with buyers. I'll take my chances with the counterfeit cash over some dude in a call center making 10 bucks an hour reading a script at PayPal who doesn't have a dog in the fight.

I'm honestly not trying to start world war 3 over PayPal, other people taking it has no impact on my life so go nuts, but just don't mistake taking steps to protect yourself mislead you into thinking there's a 0% chance you'll lose money when you're not the only party involved.

It was a PayPal dispute and all contact through PayPal. Sounds like you had the opposite experience which explains our differing views on it.