Personally, I don't use paypal for transactions for more than a couple hundred or so in most cases. Too many things can potentially go wrong.

If you want protection, it's better to use an online escrow service.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/how-to-not-get-ripped-off-in-pinball-vids-guide/

You would need to pay before the shipper arrives. Paypal has a delay and as a seller I would want the money cleared into my bank account before I let machine ship. Friends and family option is better for seller as there are no fees and its bank funds over credit card funds, which also protects the seller. If its funded by credit card the buyer can get the machine and dispute the charge and create issues for months. If its friends and family its money from your account and harder to create headaches for the seller.

I only use friends and family for.... friends and family.

Sometimes if a person I don't know all that well that has something I want to purchase, and converses back and forth in a friendly, honest manner, and I feel I can trust him or her, he or she often becomes a new friend.

That cheapskate? Hahaha lol.

I know the dude and he's kind of flaky.

No, he's a local and pretty checked out. Just make sure you know exactly what you are getting. He's got a lot of nice and some very rare games. And usually in real good shape, but I can't vouch for exact condition on any of them. But if he takes your money, you will probably get your game.

Which one are you buying?

If it's the same one, I think I played it at a party he had a while back, can't remember the exact condition, but most of his were real nice.

RobT would remember it better than I do as he was having a love affair with it and tearing it up.

When people ask for friends & family I tell them I'll pay the normal way and add in the fee. That way I still have some protection. If they say no I move on.

I prefer to use PayPal but have them send me a bill and I will pay extra to cover the fees.

And you’re doing the right thing. Some people think it is fine to commit fraud on a large company. How large does it need to be to rip them off. Friends and family is for that, not purchasing a large expensive toy and circumventing transaction fees.
Pay for the service you use, send a check or cash on glass imo!

The reason they offer f & f is not because paypal is taking some moral high ground. It is because you forego the right to dispute and it costs them less. Otherwise they would limit the amount of friends one could send to. It's not ripping them off if you decide to take the risk.

These statements are wrong. There's no guarantee F&F is bank funds, it can also come from a credit card, which can also create problems for the seller.

And that's why you don't go with large amounts that you can't afford to potentially lose.

I think if the seller is willing to take PayPal F+F, he should be okay if you would prefer to use traditional PayPal assuming you cover the added fees.

I’ve actually done both, if I’m unsure of a seller I would rather have a recourse if I felt I was duped.

Paypal is trusted by tons of large organizations. There seems to be a lot of people that just jump on the hate wagon and have probably only heard horror stories. Look at the number of transactions they perform and how many people screw them over with F+F

I deal with credit card chargebacks more then PayPal disputes. People can pass counterfeit cash too. All unlikely scenarios

Guys, as usual, many of you are over reacting.

It's OK for YOU to pay someone with Paypal.

Just NEVER accept Paypal or F&F as payment to yourself - ever.

Always use a credit card to fund Paypal - NEVER EVER link Paypal to your bank account.

I paid friends and family yesterday for a pin.
But, he is a friend and this is the 4th game Ive purchased from him.
Dont FnF to strangers, even on pinside. And dont ship pinball games. There are plenty of games out there. Patience for a title will show up in your area eventually.