PayPal Friends & Family listings. Why is this becoming so common?

lalitk

I am curious, all those opposing F&F option, would you be willing to pay PayPal fee?

Probably, although the preference for F&F would be a red flag for me. But I may not be typical because I don't often buy used equipment.

Due to the amount of internet thievery, I will never purchase any item under the F&F option.  I see F&F and I immediately mistrust the transaction and/or the dealer.

I use F&F with sellers that I have had 1 or 2 successful regular transactions.

As for selling and the 1099 the obvious problem is proving what you paid for the item. New stuff I might have a receipt but who keeps that stuff beyond the normal non-business record keeping requirements? I keep 7 years just in case the IRS tries to claim fraud in my return. No records of what I bought on eBay beyond what eBay allows me to see.

When I buy using F&F I have a phone conversation with the seller, ask for additional pictures to be texted to my cell, check feedback and research the seller including what they do for a living, their LinkedIn profile etc. I also do not sell to buyers with 0 feedback using G&S due to possibility of fraud and chargebacks. And I do not buy from sellers with 0 feedback. I never had a problem. If I do not trust the sellers I either request to use PayPal G&S or don’t buy from them.
 

I have bought and sold a ton on AG and USAM using F&F without issues.