posted on November 10, 2000 08:42:16 AM new
I asked a Billpoint rep yesterday if I stated *ALL SALES FINAL* on my Billpoint invoices sent to the buyer, if this would remove the possibility of getting a charge back.
Her response:
........................................
Putting all sales final on your invoice will certainly help, but it will not prevent a chargeback dispute. Again, the
way the bank card rules are written, if the cardholder was not in front of you to sign a sales slip, then you as the
seller are likely to have to accept a chargeback in the event of a cardholder dispute. Making sure you have
excellent documentation is your best defense.
We have investigated the idea of seller insurance, but your point on this is right on the money. It would absolutely
impact prices, and the eBay community is very sensitive to fees already. We do continue to look at it as an
option, however, and if we decide to offer this type of option, we'll be sure to let our users know.
............................................
Personally I would LOVE to have the option of spending a few bucks for seller insurance on some of my larger $$ Billpoint transactions.
I know, more fees, who needs them, but I would sleep a whole lot better at night knowing that 3 months down the road I wasn't going to be out of my merchandise AND my $$$$.
posted on November 10, 2000 09:00:43 AM new
I like to believe that most people are honest. We received our first chargeback in August from a sale in February. It was on some china to France and the sale was arranged through the buyer's secretary in Florida. The buyer waited until the 6 month period was almost over. We had all documentation including a glowing feedback response that goods were received. But I guess it wasn't good enough for Visa as the sale was completed through Florida and shipped to France?
Now we wonder how often the buyer does this? There is no way of warning other sellers. Chargebacks are great if you are the buyer and something goes wrong but as a seller you always have the uncertainty until the six month period is over.
If Billpoint offered insurance they would be taking the risk, not Visa or Mastercard. It may get too costly for them.
posted on November 10, 2000 09:14:31 AM new
Shanni ....... Did you get the goods back?
Did you have any way to prove delivery was made, other than your feedback?
Yes, most people are indeed honest, and with that in mind Billpoint could stand to make some $$$ if enough sellers used the option.
Chances are, 90%+ of the sellers would never need to file for the insurance.
I had heard a few stories about buyers trying
to keep the goods & the $$$, and so far they don't seem to be resolved.
The other problem is, that as a Canadian seller, proof of delivery is only possible If I send the item via ExpressPost USA, which is extremely expensive.
If I use that shipping option I'll have to eat some serious coin over time.
If Billpoint offered their own seller insurance, it might be a lot cheaper in the long run, but then again they might also demand DC on all parcels?
posted on November 10, 2000 09:24:47 AM new
This is a simple Problem to solve.
When the Shipping Address of your seller and there billing address on there credit card dont match you turn down the purchase .
tell the buyer for safty and verification the shipping and billing address must match if you dont do this you cant even garentee it not a unrepoted stolen card.
Just wanted to add that infact they cant even register to use ebay or billpoint if the billing adress on the card and mailing address dont match this is there verification method.
posted on November 10, 2000 09:40:19 AM new
reddeer: No, we didn't get the goods back and the feedback was the only confirmation that we had that the goods were received. It has made us rethink our policies on the way we handle credit card sales.
We have had a merchant account with Visa and Mastercard for about 15 years. During that time we have had numerous "over the telephone" sales to other provinces and states. People have seen items in our shop window in the evening or on previous visits to our store and they have phoned with their CC# and we have sent the goods out. We have never had a chargeback. There was no documentation from a phone call.
We received some info this week from Visa about E-commerce sales but haven't had a chance to read it. I think we will have to get another terminal to handle it and it will be more expense. We may just use Bidpay and Billpoint now and take our chances and hope we are dealing with honest buyers and ones that don't change their mind six months down the road.
posted on November 10, 2000 09:46:20 AM new
Dman ..... I think you kinda missed the point? Just because someone lives where they say they live [and it's verified on their CC] doesn't mean they can't dispute a charge, or say the item never arrived.
Shaani ....... Ok, thanks for the info. A customer has up to 6 months to dispute a charge? Wunnerful.
posted on November 10, 2000 11:00:22 AM new
Yes, 6 months is a long time. When I purchase an item I can usually decide right away whether it is the item I expected to get. Most people should be able to decide within 30 days at the most.
Credit card companies seem to favor the cardholder on chargebacks. You would think they would be asking them why they waited 6 months to dispute the charge but I guess not?
Also maybe the item that someone bid on and received in January may not look so great anymore sitting on their shelf in July? So that is the seller's fault now? Makes no sense.
posted on November 10, 2000 11:07:40 AM new
Well, I just hope the majority of consumers are as ignorant of that fact as I was.
Thanks again for the info, now I'll never sleep at night. LOL
posted on November 10, 2000 12:37:52 PM new
Hi Reddeer:
For proof of delivery and expedited handling for more expensive items, I use "Registered Mail" ($9.00 cdn or $6.00 US + regular postage). Includes insurance up to $100.00. Extra insurance is available for a buck more.
Receipt of advice is also available on top of this for .90cents CDN.
Many buyers like this option and I often offer it for only $3.00 US + postage and eat the extra (because it gives me peace of mind).
posted on November 10, 2000 12:48:58 PM new
Genie ..... Thanks! I've used that option in the past, but that was light years ago.
Time for me to go brush up on my Postal Guide.
posted on November 10, 2000 12:56:35 PM new
Genie ..... This is what I was afraid of. It's only good for Small Packet or Letters.
Most of my expensive items, come in large boxes.
Registered Mail to the U.S.A.
"For your valuable and important mail"
Registered Mail is available for all Letter Post, Small Packets (Air).
Fee: $9.00 plus applicable postage. $100 indemnity is included; additional indemnity is available for
$1.00 for each $100 up to $1,000.
Optional Advice of Receipt (A/R) Card:
$0.95 at the time of mailing only.
posted on November 10, 2000 01:02:29 PM new
reddeer:
I dont think I missed the point here at all
shaani:
say they had a sale for china and credit card payment was made buy one one in Florida.
The Item was sent to someone in france.
The party who made the charge is asking for a charge back for this purchase.
Shaani has all the docs to prove the Item was shipped but not shiped to the credit card holder it was shipped directly to france.
Problem here is that the way Visa sees it if you charge some one in florida for the purchase of China or anything buyer in florida should be sent the China not someone in france.
No matter how much proof you have of shipping To France they dont stand a chance Visa will find in favor of the credit card user.
my solution is to make sure the shipping address you ship to is the same as the credit card buyer billing address this mean you paid for you must receive it if you want this item in france they can send it them self to france.
this way all evidence will point to the Item being shipped to the card holder they can not charge back claiming they didnt get. it
posted on November 10, 2000 01:33:15 PM new
dman3: I understand what you are saying. The sale was to the cardholder. She lives in France but her company is in Florida and that is where the billing is done. The card was authorized through our terminal but I guess I should have manually called Visa for authorization on this one before shipping it to France. Lesson learned.
reddeer: Most true collectors are very honest people so hopefully they are the ones bidding on your auctions. Keep that in mind and you will sleep like a baby. There are very few chargebacks.
posted on November 10, 2000 02:35:36 PM new
Shaani ..... True enough, several hundred personal checks later, only 1 has bounced. It was an honest mistake & the high bidder made good on it within a week. I feel better already, thanks.
