Just a headsup about paypal Goods and Services.

[doniceage]

PayPal Goods & Services (G&S) does not reliably protect you on a sports card deals. If you continue to use Paypal Goods and Services (G&S) you probably want to tie it to a credit card for future purchases.

Key Reasons

• "Items intended for resale" exclusion: PayPal's official Purchase Protection (buyer protection) explicitly lists "Items intended for resale, including single item transactions or transactions that include multiple items" as ineligible. Sports cards are collectibles that buyers (and sellers) frequently treat as investments or for resale. This makes many claims ineligible, especially if PayPal views the deal as resale-related.
• Community & real-world experiences: In sports card groups on Facebook, Reddit, and YouTube, many people report denied claims for trading cards/collectibles. Buyers sometimes win on "not as described" or "not received" if they provide strong evidence, but denials are common — especially for authenticity issues, condition disputes, or when it looks like a resale flip. PayPal doesn't guarantee authenticity like some platforms do.
• Facebook context: The deal being on Facebook doesn't void protection by itself (PayPal allows G&S for off-platform deals), but it increases risk because there's no platform oversight like eBay. Scams are common in sports card Facebook groups.

Buyer Perspective (You're Buying)

G&S gives you some protection vs. Friends & Family (which gives zero). You can open a dispute within 180 days for:

• Item not received
• Significantly not as described

But success isn't guaranteed due to the resale exclusion and PayPal's discretion. Many collectors now avoid PayPal for cards or use extra steps (detailed photos, videos of the card, etc.).
Seller Perspective (You're Selling)

Seller Protection is also limited for these transactions. It mainly helps with "item not received" claims if you have proof of shipping, but buyer claims for "not as described" can still hit you.
Better Practices for Sports Cards on Facebook

• Best option: Meet in person for cash (safely, in public) if possible.
• If mailing: Use G&S but document everything heavily (front/back photos, video, grading details, tracking). Be prepared for a possible denied claim.
• Alternatives: Some use escrow services, but they're not perfect either. Credit card via PayPal can give you an extra chargeback layer.
• Always check the latest PayPal policy directly, as it can change.

Bottom line: PayPal G&S is better than nothing (especially vs. F&F), but not reliable for sports cards. Treat it as higher risk — many in the hobby now consider it unreliable for this exact reason.

If you have anything to add to the discussion feel free to to chime in.

Don

[mailministry]

Good post. Interesting to know. I don't use Paypal though.

[Davz13]

If PayPal G&S is only somewhat protected...
then what is a better option to use (when you cannot meet in person)>?
(probably not Venmo...)

[doniceage]

If PayPal G&S is only somewhat protected...
then what is a better option to use (when you cannot meet in person)>?
(probably not Venmo...)

Dave,I don't have an exact answer, but I am bringing it up in case anyone knows of a better option. The best practice is to have it backed through a credit card, which I do not. I figure some don't either, so just sharing the information that has been trending for the last year and especially into 2026. SCF and other groups have always said to use PayPal G&S as it protects you, but apparently not if you're a reseller, and many of us are. Just want people to be aware!