I am a long time PayPal user.
I understand if you are a first time user, that you would have reservations. Especially if you are using a "local" buyer only site.
However, for the people who are totally wrong and misinformed, PayPal is completely safe. And furthermore, it is the BUYER who should beware.
As a buyer myself, who has approached other cities Craigslist. It would be ME, paying YOU. While I send you my hard earned money. You may just send me an empty box with a tracking number. As long as you provide tracking, I am SOL.
And if anyone reads the rules of PayPal, and I am TOTALLY surprised and taken aback at the answers given by regular PayPal users here. Your personal information is not given out. Other than your name. But if you are legitimately trying to sell an item, and get money for it, wouldn't you provide your name if asked for a written bill of sale (receipt)?
Another thing, I also have pointed out to the leery and weary, wouldn't you rather ship your item out and never have to see or deal with someone's face. As in, A STRANGER coming to your home where you and your CHILDREN reside????? Hello???
I think the advice given here comes from people who have decided to look at this from a very one-sided point of view and have failed to realize that PayPal is there for that reason EXACTLY. To assist you in getting money over the internet, quickly, and easily into your account. Trust and safety knowing that they protect fairly and equally to both buyer and seller. They want the seller to provide tracking, and for you PayPal users, you should already know, they verify your bank info and your info before they allow you to use their accounts. And they are very thorough. They should be applauded at their effort. I am a very satisfied member of PayPal, it is obvious I know because they have taken care of me and my transactions VERY WELL.