I want to buy something off gumtree, and the seller said I can pay by PayPal. Am I protected if I pay?

No i wouldn't trust it. Even though pay pal is safe he may never deliver the item to you believe me i know i was stupid enough to do it. Don't take the risk.

my first impression is that its a rip-off, come on, he's off shore and his baby is in malaysia? he additionally is going on and on approximately paypal, to lots so, oh yeah, he would pay, yet then will record a reimbursement declare saying it became broken, or he in no way have been given it, think of roughly it, bought with one call, shipped to a diverse, he will say you despatched it to the incorrect man or woman and paypal will refund him out of your account it occurs daily leaving you no longer purely out your laptop, yet in addition transport quotes, and paypal costs and that i could be careful of giving my paypal account extensive style out to this clown, next element your hacked or he's used it for purchases its your selection of course, yet i would not do it, my gut says its a rip-off, and that i believe my gut greater suitable than an entire stranger your gut would desire to be warning you in case you asked, terrific to take heed to it, and shop faraway from this "deal"

yes, but ask pay pal to be sure