posted on September 20, 2000 12:13:26 PM
As I told all of you last week, on the evening of 9/12, I caved in and signed up with Paypal and added that information to the auctions which I was listing at that time.
Of course, the next morning all he!! had broken loose over Paypal, and I considered removing the logos, but left them to see what would happen.
These auctions ended last night, and I just received an email from the last buyer to respond, and the facts really surprised me.
Of the 44 auctions which ended, only 14 actually sold...approximately 30%. This is the worst I have EVER done on eBay, percentage-wise - even during the summer months.
Of the 14 items, 10 went for minimum bid; there were no "runaways" at all.
Of the 14 customers who have responded, NOT ONE has even mentioned Paypal. Some have already told me they were mailing money orders, and others have asked if I'll accept a personal check.
So where were all the bids and bidders that Paypal presumably attracts?
I would hardly base a concrete conclusion on one person's auctions for one week; for whatever reason, this may not be typical of Paypal buyers.
However, facts are facts. Just thought I would pass them along.
posted on September 20, 2000 12:40:16 PM
Sorry, Mrpotatoheadd...don't know how I do that. After I put the title in try to move into the box, I click on something that sends it.
posted on September 20, 2000 12:49:31 PM
That's okay- no problem. I have to admit- your results are much more interesting now than the first time I looked...
posted on September 20, 2000 12:49:38 PM
Maybe it has to do with the way your EOAs read. If you don't mention PayPal your bidders might think you prefer a check or money order. Sometimes I've bid on an auction which lists PayPal as a payment option, but the seller doesn't mention it in his EOA so I assume he'd rather have payment via mail. Occasionally I've asked if PayPal is OK, other times I've just mailed payment.
My EOAs mention PayPal first, then the check/MO option. Recently most of my bidders have paid via PayPal.
posted on September 20, 2000 12:56:01 PM
Mrpotatoheadd - Glad you think so.
RainyBear - Could be. However, in the time I wasn't taking Paypal, I ALWAYS had at least some buyers ask....and on a couple of ocassions, actually sent payment (which they had to reclaim).
posted on September 20, 2000 06:24:17 PM
out of 22 auctions I had that ended this past sunday, 10 paid with Paypal. that's about average. It's usually somewhere around 50/50 for me.
posted on September 20, 2000 06:33:22 PM
I had 32 end Sunday with 26 selling,18 paypal payments and 5 mailing M/O's and rest checks. Probably the biggest percentage of P/P's I had, Not complaining as I havent upgraded and dont plan to
posted on September 20, 2000 06:53:19 PM
RainyBear might be right!
This week I won an auction that wanted money orders only. I bid on because Paypal was accepted. I get the EOA and it read, "Send money order or certified check". Since it was THIS week, I figured that maybe the seller bailed on Paypal. Dropped him an email asking and he replied that Paypal was fine!
I mentioned to the seller in my reply that he should mention Paypal in his EOA. He agreed and said that he just never thought of it!
Remember folks, success is in the details!
Tom in NJ "I won't rest until all the junk in America has been shipped to a good home"
posted on September 20, 2000 07:42:59 PM
I reviewed my payments since I have been accepting PayPal and it is 65/35 in favor of PayPal. My TOS say:
PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED:
PayPal (preferred)
Personal Checks/MO - (No holds)
In addition to being paid quicker and turning inventory faster, I also like the fact that the PayPal notifications contain a computer printed Name and Address for shipping. I snip it out and tape on box. Quicker and more accurate. Many times I cannot read my buyers handwriting when they send in checks etc.
I don't worry about bounced checks or bank charges for strange foreign money orders etc.
I know you are all saying I can get charge backs etc. I have 151 all positive feedback and will refund without question so I don't see a chargeback happening. If it does, I can also file for the item to be returned etc. so I am not worried.
I have to admit - even with all that is going on - I still do not bid on any auctions that do not offer PayPal as it is too convenient for me.
I would be hurting my business by taking PayPal off as no one else seems to be a 'household name' as of yet.
