This FAQ section aims to cover the topic of payment.
What payment methods should I use?
Please note: PayPal Goods and Services is the only payment method we allow for electronic payments for posters with less than 10 confirmed trades. If you have 10+ trades, you can use alternative payment methods, however we recommend using Goods and Services. Please exercise due diligence if paying by another method as you will be unprotected.
For sellers with 10+ confirmed trades, the following payment methods are most commonly used on HWSUK:
| Payment Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal Goods and Services (PP G&S) | Provides buyer protection against item not arriving/item not as described. Easy to send payment to another user’s PayPal account using only their email address. | PayPal charge 3.4% of the transaction value + 20p as a fee. They are also introducing a policy wherein they no longer refund fees for returned payments - if a purchase gets refunded, the seller eats the fee. |
| Bank transfer (BT) | Direct transfer to a UK bank account. Requires only the sort code, account number and the name on the account. No fees. | No buyer protection. Your bank is very unlikely to help you if you’re scammed. |
| PayPal Friends and Family (PP F&F) | Easy to send payment to another user’s PayPal account using only their email address. | No buyer protection. PayPal will not help you if you are scammed. |
What payment method should I avoid?
The following payment methods are best avoided as they’re usually used to perpetrate scams:
- Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum etc.)
- Google Wallet
- Skrill
- Western Union/Moneygram
- Gift cards
Disclaimer: Neither the HardwareSwapUK community nor its moderators can be held liable for any parcel loss, damage or any other problems caused by the information provided on this page. It is based on the personal experiences of the community and is provided you without warranty.