posted on September 25, 2000 11:48:08 AM
Christmas season is the busiest time of the year for me - I sell my handpainted items at Christmas gift shows. I'm trying to prepare my auctions now as this will be the first Christmas season as a seller online as well as at the gift shows. I really want my listings to be streamlined and offer as many payment options to my customers.
As far as accepting payment it seems we are quite limited in Canada - I offer personal checks, money orders, bidpay but I would like to offer more. How many of you Canadian sellers use Billpoint and have you been pleased? Is Billpoint the only other payment option available or are there any other payment services that I could offer?
posted on September 25, 2000 12:02:49 PM
I take personal checks, MOs, Bidpay and Billpoint.
As for Billpoint, you should be aware that they do add an extra 1% for exchange rate conversion. Other than that, I see it as a cost of doing business to the U.S. Billpoint works for me and speeds up the process very quickly; I don't have to wait (forever) for a check or money order.
Also make sure that if they do send you a money order, that it is a U.S. bank-issued or international money order. Many times, I've had americans send a USPostal money order that is not negotiable in Canada.
When PayPal comes out, I will give it a try..despite popular opinion. But I'll be keeping a close eye on them for sure.
posted on September 25, 2000 12:19:47 PM
I live in the Great White North & accept personal checks, any form of MO's [inluding the green "Domestic USPS MO's], BidPay, & as of 3 weeks ago Billpoint. I also never "hold" personal checks & have had only 1 NSF check in several hundreds & in the end the buyer made good on it.
I get a kick out of Canadian sellers who hold U.S. checks, as if 10 days is going to amount to anything? International personal checks [including U.S.A.] can come back NSF after 4+ weeks.
As far as the 1% conversion fee with Billpoint, for now it's being waved. With any luck they'll keep doing so until after Xmas. But they do charge a 1% fee for any high bidders outside the U.S.
In the past 3 weeks approx 30% of my high bidders have paid via Billpoint.
I imagine the majority of them would have paid via check or MO if Billpoint wasn't offered, but ya just never know?
For International customers Billpoint is great as now they don't have to cough up the $5 [or more] for BidPay.
posted on September 25, 2000 01:53:11 PM
I've done about $5,000.00 in business through Billpoint so far and have been very pleased with the service. The money transfers very quickly into your account and the fees are minimal compared to a regular merchant account.
My customers are happy, I am happy, and I'm sure EBAY is happy with the extra money the are making from me.
