outoftheblue
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posted on June 8, 2001 07:54:46 PM new
I agree with people who don't see the logic in building fees into your opening bid. Only about 1 in 4 of my auctions sell for the opening bid so that wouldn't help much.
We are down to only 5 or 6 PayPal payments per week so this latest fee increase doesn't hurt us too much. Billpoint payments outnumber PayPal payments 6 to 1. We changed the email address on our PayPal account and only give it out when people request to use PayPal. We do not mention PayPal in our auctions. If people send payment with out asking, they must cancel the payment and re-send to the correct address.
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Zazzie
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posted on June 8, 2001 07:56:30 PM new
In the retail storefront business--the buyer does pay for the use of CC with the prices set on the items --hidden but it is there.
In auctions--the buyer sets the price, not the seller and you don't have the same abilities as a storefront---those extra fees need to be covered with S/H costs.
I think we are going to be seeing less and less buyers shipping with 'Exact Postage' charged and more with a 'Flat Rate'
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 07:56:33 PM new
but heygrape:
If you have 2 merchants selling the exact same widget for the exact same price, and one takes credit cards, and the other doesn't, aren't you going to go to the one who takes credit cards?
They are a tool to generate business.
Case in point: I went into a diner today. When I found out they didn't take credit cards, I walked out. They lost my business because they didn't take credit cards.
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morgantown
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posted on June 8, 2001 07:59:33 PM new
Sorry, I have a difficult time visualizing hords of people walking out of a resturant because they don't accept credit cards. Perhaps on more expensive purchases but not common ones.
edited to say: I'm talking about a physical resturant. I've not doubt that buyers would turn away from eCommerce if some form of cc was not available.
[ edited by morgantown on Jun 8, 2001 08:04 PM ]
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heygrape
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:01:55 PM new
"If you have 2 merchants selling the exact same widget for the exact same price, and one takes credit cards, and the other doesn't, aren't you going to go to the one who takes credit cards?"
Not necessarily. I only use a credit card when I'm broke. Our court house charges a fee to charge your property taxes. And the Clark Gas Station I went to the other day charged me a extra 50¢ because I charged it.
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packer
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:02:04 PM new
When I do any bidding I always check to see if they take PayPal(my prefered way to pay) if not then Billpoint. If buyer offers neither I usually pass. I just wait for the next one to come along.
Now, with using that logic, can any of us afford not to offer some sort of CC payment option?
They have us by the short hairs and THEY KNOW IT!!
packer
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Zazzie
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:02:58 PM new
Count me as one of those who would leave----I don't carry cash. If I can't use my Debit card or Credit card--then I don't stay.
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redskinfan
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:05:06 PM new
why do so many interchange buyer and seller to mean the same thing??
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morgantown
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:06:16 PM new
So, you are taking a client out on the road. She/he says "lets pull into McDonalds for a quick soda." You say, sorry they don't accept credit cards?
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:08:44 PM new
Morgantown:
"Sorry, I have a difficult time visualizing hords of people walking out of a resturant because they don't accept credit cards. Perhaps on more expensive purchases but not common ones."
That was exactly it: I had no cash on me, so they lost my business because they didn't take credit cards. I went to the gas station and got some food there.
heygrape:
"Not necessarily. I only use a credit card when I'm broke."
But assuming you are broke, you are going to purchase your widget at the store that takes credit cards (assuming that the widget is something you needed, even if you were broke)
All I am saying is that it pays to offer many ways of paying. It attracts people to your business, and increases the chances that they will buy from you.
There was talk of the new eBay investment ReturnBuy.com recently. All of their auctions on eBay are Credit Card only - no Paypal, no checks, no money orders.
You can't honestly tell me they aren't losing business by limiting their payment options.....
Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
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vargas
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:10:30 PM new
Not everyone wants to use credit cards.
I recently had a buyer who found me on eBay contact me & arrange to meet personally to purchase some items because she doesn't want to use credit cards. She doesn't want to take the chance of running up debt, so she pays cash for everything.
In 3 years on eBay, I've never paid for an eBay purchase with a credit card. Same reason as my buyer above. I've dug out from under credit card debt. I never want to have to do that again.
furkidmom Do change your PayPal
e-mail to something buyers couldn't possibly guess, wait until the pending transactions have cleared, then close the account, if you're still of a mind to dump PayPal.
hcross You're not talking to the right people about a merchant account.
Internet merchant accounts are extremely affordable and there's no equipment to rent or buy. Mine charges 25 cents plus 2.39% per transaction. There's a $25 month minimum. No statement fees, no gateway fees. I did pay a $149 application fee and was approved within 24 hours. My merchant account is with a very large regional bank.
One more PayPal fee increase and my merchant account will be an absolute bargain in comparison.
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heygrape
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:12:03 PM new
"But assuming you are broke, you are going to purchase your widget at the store that takes credit cards (assuming that the widget is something you needed, even if you were broke)"
Correct and I would expect to pay extra for that pleasure.
The BUYER should pay the credit card company fees.
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:13:08 PM new
morgantown:
"So, you are taking a client out on the road. She/he says "lets pull into McDonalds for a quick soda." You say, sorry they don't accept credit cards?"
No, but it is coming. Certain Hardee's stores are now accepting credit cards, and you can expect the other fast food chains to follow suit.
It pays to offer options!
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:17:04 PM new
heygrape:
You are paying for it. You may not realize it, but you are.
But if you insist on paying for it again, come to my store. I would be HAPPY to charge you to use a credit card.
It is a SELLER's responsibility to cover his/her costs in the price of an item. Tacking on extra fees after the fact is just plain rude in my book.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
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redskinfan
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:18:51 PM new
the McDonalds here accepts cc. so does burger king, hardees.....
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heygrape
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:20:36 PM new
"It is a SELLER's responsibility to cover his/her costs in the price of an item. Tacking on extra fees after the fact is just plain rude in my book"
I don't want to tack on any fees. I think buyers should pay paypal the fees to use their service, NOT the sellers.
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Zazzie
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:22:26 PM new
Auction sellers DO NOT set the price of their item----the bidders do.
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packer
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:30:53 PM new
I would'nt mind splitting the fee with the buyer.
Its really a convenience for them rather then for us.
I know when I win the bid on something I WANT it yesterday.
Thats the major reason I like using PayPal(I always keep enough fund in for my spur of the moment buying). If I pay now I want it shipped at least in a day or 2, NOT a week or 2.
And yes, as a buyer I wouldn't complain abit to pay half the fee for the convience of having it done without the hassle of making a check or buying a MO, and getting my prize swiftly.
As far as me getting the payment, I can wait for the check or MO, no problem here. I like going to the bank with a hand full of checks.
packer
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morgantown
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:37:14 PM new
It is a SELLER's responsibility to cover his/her costs in the price of an item. CRAP!
If a seller runs bidder pleasing auctions with no reserve and low opening bids, he/she cannot cover much of any costs in the OB. Running auctions this way is the most profitable even with risks. I've been doing it since 1997.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:48:00 PM new
packer-
When I do any bidding I always check to see if they take PayPal(my prefered way to pay) if not then Billpoint. If buyer offers neither I usually pass. I just wait for the next one to come along.
Suppose there is an item you are interested in that normally closes at $250, and there is one closing in 5 minutes, with the bid currently up to $120. Suppose also that this particular item shows up only a couple of times a year, at best. Suppose further that the seller does not accept cc payments.
Would you bid?
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 08:52:31 PM new
morgantown:
I was not specifically referring to auctions when I posted that. I am referring to businesses in general. But if you have an item that you think will not get any more than one bid, wouldn't you cover your costs in your opening bid price? If you don't, why even bother posting the auction at all?
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
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packer
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:02:17 PM new
mrpotatoheadd,
Of course I'd bid, I'm not above making a check or buying a MO. If its a case where if I wait a day or two and another will come alone, I will usually wait.
Hey, Its a convenience, and with our lives in todays world being so cluttered and pressing, I need all the convenience I can get.
OH....How I pray for a boreing day!
packer
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heygrape
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:06:11 PM new
And would you be willing to pay the paypal fees for that convenience as a BUYER Packer?
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:10:35 PM new
I can't answer for packer, but I would, and I have. I've bought from several sellers who charged extra for PayPal (yes, it was noted in the item description and no, I did not report them to eBay). The price was right (even with the added fee), and I was happy to be the winning bidder.
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packer
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:13:37 PM new
Yes, I already said I wouldn't mind splitting the cost with the seller.
Its like when I use to waitress(in my younger days), the tips I got were very important to my wage.
Since I know what its like, I ALWAYS leave a healthy tip when we go out to eat or drink.
packer
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morgantown
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:13:39 PM new
revvassago
I'm from the school that teaches "buy low and sell high." I am [still] able to obtain antiques and collectibles with this principle in mind. I know my stuff, I know its price point 95% of the time. I have VERY few one bid auctions!
I have no problem listing a $1500 Roseville Futura vase on eBay for under $10 no reserve. I know what to pay for it, and what to expect for it.
MTown
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packer
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:20:52 PM new
morgantown,
Your lucky, you must come from a community that offers quality antiques.
I'm from a farming community and I'm afraid fine artsie things were not high on there priortity list.
The same dealers go to all the auctions around here, and its really starting to bug me that when they see me bidding on something they think they have to have it then.
Well thats another thread I guess.
packer
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revvassago
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:25:12 PM new
Yes, but what if you aren't selling an item that you know will generate those kind of bids?
What if the item you are selling is only worth $5.00, and you have $1.50 invested in it? Aren't you going to cover your costs?
Not all of us deal in the thousands or even hundreds of dollars. A lot of my items I am making a very small profit on, but I will never charge handling fees to my customers, and I know that they appreciate it. I don't believe in trying to recoup costs after the sale.
Would you like it if you went to a department store and they told you "The total on the shirt is $19.99, plus tax, our fee for getting it shipped here, a portion of our employees wages, our electrical charges, our insurance, etc."? I am sure you would walk, if not run, out of the store! But as you know, they figure those amounts into the price of the item.
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Still charging exact shipping fees, and darn proud of it!
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outoftheblue
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:27:50 PM new
morgantown
McDonalds now accepts debit cards but you will pay a 50 cent surcharge to use it. That's 10% on a $5.00 transaction. They no longer accept checks.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Jun 8, 2001 09:29 PM ]
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Zazzie
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posted on June 8, 2001 09:29:18 PM new
The store has already figured those things into the price they charge you---you are already paying for the lights, wages, rent, credit card fees etc...you'd better get your sneakers on.
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