posted on November 18, 2000 11:36:53 AM
I just signed up for Billpoint as well as Instant Purchase after all these months of resisting. Do all Billpoint monies collected via Instant Purchase go into one's bank account automatically, or do you have to move them manually the way you have to move your Paypal money? Also, are buyers who are *not* using Instant Purchase able to pay with Billpoint without getting a request from me first?
Also, when someone pays through Billpoint, is there a nofication of buy and then a notification "ok to ship" or is it just a single notification and I can assume it's OK to ship?
posted on November 18, 2000 01:06:59 PM
Billpoint payments are automatically deposited into your account.
Unless the buyer chooses Instant Purchase, you'll have to send an invoice.
Billpoint sends a single notice to the seller after the buyer makes a credit card payment. I've never had anyone pay with an electronic check, so I don't know how those notices work.
posted on November 18, 2000 01:20:24 PM
We are also looking at billpoint as a option,
it looks a little confusing with not a whole lot of info or instructions. We emailed billpoint two days ago with questions, one of which was the same one above and still no answers (not sure we are very comfortable not getting any response from them, makes us wonder?) Maybe some of you here can help explain the process/steps a little better for those of us that are considering it and are a little confused?
posted on November 18, 2000 02:29:32 PM
After months of agonizing over which online payment service to use (and lots of questions to the AW regulars (THANX!)), we are on the verge of signing with Billpoint & we too would appreciate any info from regular users....
I'm concerned on how to migrate this payment option into my EOA procedure....Am I correct in assuming it would go something like this:
Auction Ends
Winning Bidder uses "Instant Purchase" option
I receive notification from Billpoint
Does this notification include buyers address for shipping purposes?
I send email to buyer with a Thanx & item will be shipped on/about info....
I ship / I feedback / process complete
NON Instant Purchase option
I send EOA email, with Billpoint payment option
Buyer requests Billpoint payment option
I go to Billpoint and send an invoice
When I receive notification that payment has been made (from Billpoint)
I send email to buyer with a Thanx & item will be shipped on/about info....
I ship / I feedback / process complete
I would really really appreciate help on this from you folks, as I MUST get in the CC groove & get sellin' hot-n-heavy....
posted on November 18, 2000 02:39:12 PM
Hi Rancher,
That's pretty much it.
I had a buyer use the instant purchase option on a Buy It Now item just yesterday.
Billpoint sent me payment notification, including buyer's address, almost immediately... in fact, before I even knew the item had sold.
In my EOA's, I list Billpoint as my first payment option, mention the $1 off VISA promotion and ask the buyer to e-mail me if they'd like a Billpoint invoice. I send multiple invoices in the event of multiple purchases to be shipped together so the buyer can take full advantage of the VISA promotion.
Some buyers already are familiar with Billpoint and send me the "request for Billpoint invoice" from the link eBay puts in my auction. I send the invoice and receive a payment notice (with buyer's address) as soon as buyer has paid.
Again, I haven't dealt with an e-check yet, just credit card purchases via Billpoint.
I've been using Billpoint for several months and have not had a single problem.
posted on November 18, 2000 02:50:11 PM
With Billpoint e-check they send two notices...one letting you know the invoice was paid, though the check is not clear yet...and a second letting you know the check cleared and it's okay to ship. This usually takes an average of 3 days total.
I have never had a problem that Billpoint CS wasn't eager to solve...and their follow-up is terrific. They will call and follow-up with an email to make sure the issue is resolved. Also, and I don't know if it's just me, but the deposits have been happening fast, and usually take no more than 48 hours from when the invoice is paid.
Once you incorporate it into your EOAs, it is smooth sailing from there.
posted on November 18, 2000 02:57:39 PM
I have to agree with sylswa - their instructions are poor and they do not explain how everything works. I signed up this month and had to ask other sellers using it how it worked. Basically it's simple once you use it.
posted on November 18, 2000 03:23:44 PM
I have been using Billpoint from the beginning and have been very happy with it.
I put in my EOA email that if they want to pay that way to let me know in their return email, then I send them invoice.
Sometimes they just send it. It always has their information on it.
E-Check's first notice tells you they have paid and you are to wait for second notice.
Some people have been confused but eventually get it and seem to really like it.
I like the fact that all information on every transaction is easy to access and understand in my account.
After you have been with them for awhile they will send your money within 24 hrs.
I like the fact that the money just goes right into my account without having to send it.......I forget about it and then when I get my statement its a pleasant surprise!
posted on November 18, 2000 03:33:22 PM
I DID IT!...I am now a bona fide Billpoint seller!....
I have no idea why this decision was soooooo hard to make, but I thank ALL of you who have offered advice, on this thread (& the many others I have posted CC questions on!)....
In this business, where we typically sit alone at our computers, I am certainly grateful that AW has such a great bunch of folks who, it seems, are always at the ready to help others!!!.....A BIG THANX!
posted on November 18, 2000 04:05:46 PM
I have another question about Billpoint which I've just made my first sale on. When a Canadian buyer wins an auction from a Canadian seller (at the U.S. site), does the buyer get invoiced in U.S. dollars, including the shipping amount and then the total is converted to Canadian dollars at time of deposit? Reddeer? Cdnbks? Help!
posted on November 18, 2000 04:30:23 PMtd2 Canadian buyers are invoiced in US dollars by Billpoint. This amount will be converted back to C$ on the buyer's credit card statement. Then Billpoint substracts their fees (when applicable) and the US dollar balance is converted in C$ by Billpoint, at the current exchange rate, and send to the Canadian bank account of the seller.
posted on November 18, 2000 04:37:49 PM
Bill Point is so much simpler just give your bank routeing number and account number every payment made to you is auot deposited in about 24 to 48 hours usually the money is in you bank.
posted on November 18, 2000 04:39:27 PM
cimfra: thanks for your reply. As to the shipping cost part, shipping costs to Canada are different than to the U.S. In my TOS, I state a fixed cost for U.S. buyers and say that the Canadian cost is by destination. So it looks like, if Canadians are billed in U.S. dollars, I will have to take the actual Canadian shipping cost, convert it to U.S dollars for the Billpoint invoice, and then have it converted back at time of deposit. Since this seems very complicated, would it be better to set a fixed shipping cost to cover both U.S. and Canadian buyers? Or what? What's the best way to deal with this?
posted on November 18, 2000 07:06:45 PM
I agree with you, selling within Canada is very complicated as far as shipping cost goes. I can quote shipping to anywhere in the world but not inside Canada, unless I know the exact location of the buyer. I usually state a fixed shipping charge valid for both USA and Canada. Easier that way. But sometimes, I state at least a worse case scenario for Canadian buyers and give the exact figure with the invoice.
As for your question, yes you do have to convert C$ shipping cost to US dollars but then again, if you already sell to US buyers, you must be used to exchange rate calculation!
posted on November 18, 2000 11:13:18 PM
Unlike another nameless service, Billpoint respects their customers. A bidder does not need to register to pay and a seller can not receive money without his prior authorisation. The TOS is stable, it doesn't change along with the daily weather. When you're handling peoples finances, trust and reputation is extremely important.
posted on November 18, 2000 11:30:06 PMtd2 ...... I state a fixed shipping cost for US & Canuck buyers. If a fellow Canuck gets snotty over the cost, I remind them that although I have to pay the Gov 7% GST, I eat the costs at my end for my Canadian customers. That seems to be keeping them happy, so far.
posted on November 18, 2000 11:41:13 PM
BTW - I you have any questions there's usually a few BP CS reps that will answer questions on the Billpont threaded discussion board. Last time I had a SNAFU with Billpoint I posted there & had a rep call me within the hour.
posted on November 19, 2000 06:32:18 AM
CIMFRA AND REDDEER: Thanks for your responses to my query re shipping costs. I had pretty much concluded that a fixed rate for both countries would be the easiest way to deal with this situation. I have asked a BP rep about this and am waiting for an answer. I must say with my wide experience [] of one sale with BP already, I am impressed with the speed of it.
posted on November 19, 2000 12:57:02 PM
No problem td2, glad I could help.
Another thing you might want to consider is not using the Instant Payment option.
I don't want to push the Billpoint option, any more than I have to, and I also like to be able to control who sends me payment, and who doesn't. That's one of the problems with PayPal, anyone can send you payment, whether you want it or not.
If the high bidder turns out to be someone I don't want to deal with [like a -4 feedbacker] they can't pay me via Billpoint unless I send them an invoice.
I am in CANADA as well and have an US account, do you know how Billpoint works with that. The money obviously would not need to be converted into CAN $. I have mostly low ticket items for sale, would Billpoint even be advisable?
posted on November 19, 2000 08:18:08 PMrxo120 I asked Billpoint the same question. Here is their answer:
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We understand that you may prefer Billpoint to deposit payments into your US dollar account held with your Canadian financial institution. Unfortunately, this feature was not available in the deposit transfer options offered by Billpoint's banking partners, Wells Fargo Bank and Toronto Dominion. You currently have the following options for Billpoint deposits:
1. Funding U.S. bank accounts with U.S. dollars.
2. Funding Canadian bank accounts with Canadian dollars. This option converts your US dollar listings to Canadian dollars at the daily exchange rate on the date when Billpoint initiates the deposit to your account. The rate used is the "wholesale" rate that financial institutions and corporations moving large dollar amounts are able to negotiate due to the large volume of currency moved daily.
We are hard at work on future enhancements to Billpoint's service and will provide your feedback to our product management specialists.
] of one sale with BP already, I am impressed with the speed of it.