eBay transaction from seller standpoint

I realize this isn't a typical equipment forum post but thought folks might be able to weigh in. I sold my Mizzy MP 18 MMC to an ebay member with 1 ebay rating, 0 from the past 12 months. Auction was paid pretty quickly last night, then I received a message from buyer through ebay stating that the shipping address in PayPal was wrong, and given a new address. Both in same ZIP code, so it's not unreasonable to think someone could have recently moved and that'd explain it easily. I requested that the buyer send the message through PayPal. He responded via ebay again instead to ask for my email address. I'm wondering if it's just someone not too familiar with ebay/paypal, or whether I need to be skeptical of this transaction for some reason. Appreciate any insights, maybe I'm just being too cautious for no reason.

Personally I’d keep communication within eBay or Paypal. Just makes it easier if you need to resolve something.

I would personally only send it to the verified address

You risk voiding your Seller protections, only ship to the PayPal address. Don't communicate outside eBay or PayPal. Two red flags already. I'd ask them through PayPal if you can refund, have them update PayPal address and start over with payment - if refused, refund and cancel. If not refused I'd still be leery, but that's me.

Thank you all. Yes, I did not send my personal email address, but only messaged via ebay, and good idea to suggest updating the shipping address. I've done that and hope it's just a matter of an inexperienced ebay user. It's a simple matter to update your address in PP, I just checked my own settings to confirm it's easier to update the address than to send an ebay message. Anyway, hate being suspicious but better safe than sorry. We'll see!

It's 2020...who is an inexperienced Ebay user? The only people not using Ebay are people who aren't ever going to use it, LOL.

I agree with the above. I have about 400 transactions (100% rating). I've been doing Ebay for nearly 2 decades doing lots of big and small sales. If I've learned anything it's that the system ain't that complicated and the people who give you excuses are usually either scammers (or worse...idiots).

It's always the guy who needs a favor who ends up costing you money. Beware.

This. I will never send to anything but the verified address in Paypal. If someone tries to get me to ship elsewhere I just cancel the transaction. Rather be safe than sorry.

Buyer needs to update their address. You have no protection if you ship to an address that is not the same as shown in the item details.

Take a look at this from eBay and forward to the buyer if they question.https://www.ebay.com/help/buying/shipping-delivery/changing-shipping-details-purchase?id=4028

You always run the risk of losing the sale when they cancel but better than shipping to someone’s “new” address that is not confirmed via eBay/PayPal.

I had someone try this with me as well. It was definitely a scam and I cancelled the transaction.

If you want 100% guaranteed payment you have to ship to "confirmed address". That means the address where buyer's credit card statements go or an address that the buyer has personally input into his/her paypal account as an address that's ok to ship.

If this person did not do this and you ship to an unconfirmed address and if the package gets lost or if said buyer claims he/she never received paypal will side with the buyer.

If you ship to confirmed address nothing buyer can do once package is delivered. Take your time and ship to "confirmed address"

The email you get from paypal will show whether or not it's a confirmed address.

Personally, I've contacted the seller via ebay and PP to let them know if my address isn't updated correctly. The only reason I've had to do this is that I have two separate bank accounts in the US and outside of the US and when I use the PP account that's outside of the country, they would not let me include a different address other than the domestic one provided. basically can't change countries. I do try to avoid that since it causes some confusion and I might be breaking some Paypal rules. As for the email part, I think you did thhe right thing by not providing it so you can claim anything in case.