As a "relative" newbie to the forum but as a business entrepreneur of 20 years.  I want to chime in here... Paypal or ANY other payment method is never perfectly safe or guaranteed. A legitimate buyer/seller is better known by their reputation, not on some board forum where they have 1000 posts. That's the LEAST safe people to be dealing with IMO, and for some reason people on these forums think your legit if your account is a year old and has a few posts... Any truly legit buyer/seller can easily prove their reputation or credentials any number of other ways. Ive bee using Paypal safe and sound for 10+ years and never had a bad transaction, because I don't deal with those who cant verify themselves in a professional business manor. period.  Be safe people.