I have sold (and bought) parts off the board at this forum since I have been a member here. So far, so good when it comes to payment rec'd or parts rec'd...... With one exception.
Oddly enough, the only less than happy experience I have had over the years was the time I donated 2 sets of large outlet 360 truck manifolds to a fellow who was plumbing a turbo in his Plymouth Scamp. I gave him the manifolds at no charge. The only thing I asked was that he send me $25 to partially cover shipping (it cost me a lot more than $25 to ship them to him). Well, they arrived OK and he thanked me for them, but I never rec'd the $25. Lesson learned the hard way. From that point on, I have waited until payment arrived and I have deposited it in our bank account before shipping to someone I do not know personally.
Regarding the comments about money orders and PayPal...... I am retired. Do not have a business, so no way to accept payment by credit card even if I wanted to. Just have some parts left over from past projects which did not get used for one reason or another. We have paid off and cut up all of our credit cards except for one which is literally frozen in water in a ziplock bag in our freezer. And after it is paid off, we are going to cut it up and celebrate. (Thank you, Dave Ramsey!)
So having no credit cards, I do not use PayPal...... I send US Postal Money Orders when I purchase parts for my car and accept them as payment when I sell something and ship it. That way, they can be traced if lost or stolen (probably takes a while though) and its literally a federal offense if someone steals them or commits mail fraud. I don't sell on e-Bay, only buy a few car parts from time to time. And if the seller won't take payment by US Postal Money Order in lieu of PayPal...... I pass it up and do not bid on it.
Of course if someone is local and picks up something I am selling in person, or if I buy something and pick it up locally...... Its a cash transaction. Works for me.
Best regards to all,
Harry