Phlip

Buyers:
Remember, that paying as "gift" removes your protection as a buyer, because paypal sees it as nothing disputable if it was a gift.
This leaves the door WIDE open for someone to screw you on a transaction with you left no available options to dispute and get your money back.
All other major P2P payment options have ZERO protections, your money is gone as soon as you've sent it, so I strongly suggest NOT using those methods unless with someone you know personally and legitimately trust.

Sellers:
If we catch anyone openly requesting to be paid as "gift," or by other otherise unsecure payment options, then it will be treated as if they're trying to take someone for their money and the thread will be closed, deleted or edited accordingly. I know that many are doing it because paypal fees, despite being in terms and conditions that all who use it agreed to, are ball-bustingly high these days (<--sarcasm). As a staff, we are tired of the PM that goes:
For the record, the ONLY information we have on any user is an email address and DOB, if you paid via paypal, you have more information on them than we do. So don't ask.

At the end of the day, if you trust a stranger enough with your money to give it to them in a manner that you are not protected, then you are partially in control of your own peril.

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And I write too!