CAPTAIN BLACK'S GEAR EMPORIUM

Selling your synth to us is straightforward.

We agree on the details, you send a PayPal invoice, and we pay before you ship. A familiar process, with a real person here to help.

Buying, restoring, and finding new homes for synths is what we do. If you're new to PayPal invoices or shipping gear, this guide walks you through it. We're here if you need a hand.

Agree on the details

We confirm the synth, condition, purchase price, and how fees and shipping fit into the arrangement. You know the details before sending an invoice.
Send an invoice. Get paid.

Use the details and exact total we provide, and send the invoice to our PayPal email. We review your invoice and pay before you send the synth.
Pack it well. Send it off.

We'll guide you on packing and shipping. Buy the agreed label, drop off the packed synth, and add the tracking number to PayPal.

THE PAYMENT

Your PayPal invoice, made simple.

Already agreed on the purchase? We'll send you our PayPal email, billing name, shipping address, and the exact invoice total. Use those details to fill out your invoice.

Create your PayPal invoice

Opens PayPal in a new tab. Sign in to your own account to get started.

What to put on the invoice

Bill to: Use the billing name and PayPal email we provide. Keep the name and email in their respective fields.
Item: The exact brand and model, quantity, and serial number if available.
Description: The agreed condition, known faults, and included accessories. Photos can be attached if helpful.
Amount: Use the purchase and shipping amounts we agree on. We'll confirm the exact invoice total together. No percentage calculation is needed, and you should not add a separate PayPal surcharge.
Shipping: Select Ship Order when available and enter the shipping details we provide. Before shipping, check that they match the address on the paid PayPal transaction.
Send: Review the total and send the invoice through PayPal to the PayPal email address we provide in our correspondence.

See an example item description

Access Virus TI2 Desktop. Used, fully working. Light marks on the top panel. Includes the power supply. No original box. Serial number: [your serial number].

Replace this example with your synth's actual details. Include any faults or untested functions, even if we've already discussed them.

THE SHIPPING

A discounted label. An easier send-off.

Shippo and Pirate Ship are trusted options for discounted labels, but you're welcome to use another label provider or buy directly from a carrier. Enter your packed box dimensions and total weight to get a quote. We'll agree on the shipping plan and who covers the cost before you send the invoice.

Go to Shippo Go to Pirate Ship

We'll help you choose the shipping service, insurance, and whether a signature is required. Need help packing? Just ask. We'll confirm these details and any related costs before you buy the label.

No printer? No problem.

Pirate Ship offers QR-code labels for eligible domestic USPS and UPS shipments. Enable QR codes before buying the label, then bring your packed box and the code on your phone to a Post Office for USPS or The UPS Store for UPS. They print the label for you.

Show me how QR labels work

How to get your label and send the package

Pack the synth securely. Measure the outside of the box and weigh the whole package, including the packing materials.
Get a quote from your chosen label provider or carrier. You are the sender. Use our supplied details for the recipient.
Confirm the service, insurance, and any signature requirement with us. We'll agree on the costs, including any paid packing help. If we are covering shipping, send us the quote before invoicing.
Confirm payment in PayPal, follow its instructions about when to ship, and check the transaction shipping address. Purchase the agreed label, then print it or use a supported QR option.
Drop the package off with the matching carrier and keep the receipt. Add the carrier and tracking number to the PayPal payment, and send it to us in our conversation.

A LITTLE EXTRA HELP

Good questions. Simple answers.

Who covers the PayPal fees?

PayPal deducts a processing fee from the seller's payment. We agree on the purchase price with you before you invoice us, including any agreed net amount you want to receive.

For a standard U.S. invoice paid through PayPal, the processing fee is about 3.5% plus $0.49 (currently 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction). Rates vary by payment method, country, and account. Check PayPal's current fees.

We'll confirm the exact invoice total together. You do not need to calculate a percentage, and you should not add a separate PayPal surcharge. Optional services such as an instant bank transfer may have their own fees.

Who pays for shipping?

We agree on shipping costs as part of each deal. Sometimes we cover shipping, and sometimes the price includes shipping from the seller. We will make that clear before you invoice us.

Get a quote using the packed box dimensions and total weight. Shippo and Pirate Ship are trusted label providers, and other providers or carriers are welcome too. If we are covering shipping, send us the quote so we can include the agreed amount in our payment.

You purchase the agreed label and drop off the packed synth. We'll guide you on the shipping service, insurance, any signature requirement, and packing. We agree on any paid extras before you buy them.

I've never sent a PayPal invoice. Is it difficult?

You only need to enter who is buying, what you are selling, and the amount. Use the invoice checklist above and the details we send you.

On the PayPal website, look for Pay & Get Paid, then Create an Invoice. In the app, look for Request, then Send an invoice to get paid. Menus can vary by account. If you get stuck, send us a screenshot with any sensitive account details hidden.

When do I get paid?

We pay your invoice before you ship. Open PayPal directly and confirm the payment in your account before sending the synth.

PayPal may hold funds, especially for newer sellers. A hold can delay when you can withdraw the money even after we have paid. Adding valid tracking can help PayPal release eligible funds after delivery. PayPal controls the release timing, and transferring available funds to your bank is a separate step.

If you're new to PayPal or unsure when your money will be available, you can call PayPal for account-specific guidance. Visit PayPal's Contact Us page and choose the phone option when available. They can explain your hold and any next steps.

If the payment is still clearing or PayPal tells you not to ship, wait. Read PayPal's payment-hold guidance.

No printer. Can I still use a discounted label?

Yes. Pirate Ship supports QR-code labels for domestic USPS and UPS shipments that do not need customs forms. In Settings > General Settings, enable Q-ARRrrr codes before purchasing the label.

Bring your packed box and the code on your phone to the matching carrier: a Post Office for USPS or The UPS Store for UPS. They scan the code and print the label. The QR option is currently in beta. You still need a box, protective packing, and tape.

Pirate Ship's QR-code instructions

How do I add tracking to PayPal?

Open Activity in PayPal and select our payment. Look for the option to add tracking. PayPal currently describes this under Get your money, then Product. Enter the carrier and tracking number, then submit.

After buying your label, check that the correct carrier and tracking number appear on the PayPal payment. Add them if needed, and also send the tracking number in our conversation.

PayPal's tracking instructions

Why do you use PayPal Goods & Services?

It gives the purchase a clear payment record and access to PayPal's protection programs for eligible transactions. The invoice records the item, condition, price, and shipping details. We use an invoice for the purchase, not a Friends & Family payment.

Protection is subject to PayPal's eligibility rules and claim requirements, and is not guaranteed by using an invoice. Follow the instructions on the payment, ship to the address on the paid transaction, and keep your tracking and drop-off receipt. If that address differs from the one we sent you, contact us before buying the label.

Read PayPal's Seller Protection terms

Why does PayPal show Texas Digital LLC?

Captain Black's Gear Emporium operates through Texas Digital LLC. We will confirm the billing name, PayPal email, and shipping address in our correspondence so you know what to expect.

What if my synth has issues?

Tell us what you know before we agree on the purchase. We love restoration work, especially Access Virus synths, and a fault does not necessarily rule out a sale.

Include known faults, cosmetic damage, missing parts, and anything you have not tested. Put the same condition and included accessories on the invoice so we both have a clear record.

What if I need help packing or something goes wrong?

Message us before shipping if you need help with the box, packing, shipping service, insurance, or a signature requirement. We'll guide you and agree on any related costs. Follow the carrier's and insurer's packing and coverage requirements, as coverage and claims depend on their terms.

If something arrives damaged or does not match the agreed description, we will document it and contact you to work through it. Keep your photos, packing details, and shipping receipt in case they are needed for a carrier, insurer, or PayPal claim.