TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 07:17:32 PM
HMMMM....I just bought an item on eBay that my daughter REALLY wanted and auction tos noted that if buyer uses PayPal, they are responsible to pay the fees.... How are your feelings on this?? I personally would never think of passing on Paypal fees to my customers and it somehow does not seem right.... What do you think????
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Glenda
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posted on December 17, 2000 07:31:58 PM
This is what eBay's SafeHarbor said about it in a message to a bidder on December 14 (this was posted on Town Square at eBay):
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns.
Sellers are not permitted to add additional fees on their items to make up for the fees being charged by billpoint or paypal. This is considered a violation of our Safe Harbor Charter.
If you have been charged extra fees such as the ones mentioned please send the User ID of the seller and the item number. If the request was sent in the form of an email please send this information, including the full header.
If you have any other questions or concerns please let us know and we will be happy to assist you.
Regards,
XXXXX eBay SafeHarbor
Investigations Team
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 07:38:55 PM
Thank you Glenda... I have not received their confirming e-mail with the total yet...but they note right on the auction page:
"Pay Pal has recently started charging for their services. If it is more convenient for you to use Pay Pal you may do so but you will be responsible for the fees. Pay Pal fees vary according to final bid price"
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 07:53:00 PM
Use a CC at walmart--buyer pays for the
priviledge.
Pay cash at walmart--buyer still pays for using a CC.
Go figure. Bankers have a lot of clout in
DC.
I feel I'm as good as walmart. Thank you!!!
I don't think sellers should pay PP fees.
You wouldn't pay for their M.O. or the stamp
to mail a check.
Some one at feebay has their head where it shoukdn't be.
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 07:58:25 PM
chasd7
I don't know what credit card you use...but as a buyer, when I go to Walmart...Walmart pays the Credit Card fees (I'm not talking interest on the CC...but the fees)....Gosh you need to look for a new credit card company or see if Walmart is ripping you off if they charge you to use your credit card there....
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vargas
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:05:19 PM
Actually, we ALL pay the credit card fees at any retail establishment. The fees are a hidden cost, worked into the price of everything we buy. Even if you pay cash, you're subsidizing someone else's credit card use.
It's easy for a store or restaraunt to do with set retail pricing.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to do in a true auction format.
edited to fix a typo
[ edited by vargas on Dec 17, 2000 08:06 PM ]
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:07:28 PM
Where do you think walmart gets the money to pay the fees??
Wake up and smell the bacon!!!
CC charges are included in the price you pay.
It is against federal law to penalize CC users.
Hence, bankers have a lot of clout.
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:16:10 PM
so, instead of charging the fees...why not be like Walmart and hide it in their item price...then I wouldn't know or care (like when I go to Walmart) 
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jada
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:24:38 PM
It will be interesting to find out how Ebay interprets their own phrase "to add additional fees". Do they mean adding fees after the auction has ended to make up for Paypal, Billpoint fees, or adding fees in the auction itself, as this seller did.
Yes, I know we can all intrepret this to mean whichever we want, but Ebay's is the only voice that counts.
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vargas
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:28:34 PM
why not be like Walmart and hide it in their item price
Because it really doesn't work in an auction, unless the seller sets the starting price at retail and only expects one bid. There are some retailers on eBay who do this.
Take a look at those Dutch auctions for 200 copies of an item.
But in a true auction format, a higher starting price does not guarantee a higher ending price. If you normally start an item at $5 and all a bidder is willing to pay is $$7.50, setting a starting price of $5.50 ddoesn't guarantee that you'll get more than $$7.50 for it.
Bottom line is: was the item a good buy and did you really want it? If so, let it go.
On the other side of the coin, if you feel strongly enough about the seller charging the fee, report him/her to Safe Harbor.
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:30:47 PM
tammiandy; That would be dishonest.
Land a goshen!! you can't expect little ole
me to sign off on that.
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toiman
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:37:55 PM
I had the similar experience last month and had to pay extra .25 to the seller. I complained to him but did not realize that it was against eBay's policy. I will not fall for that again.
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:38:00 PM
LOL...chasd7
This thread was not about turning anyone in...I have no intention of doing so....I just wanted to know how other people felt about passing the fees on....(no I'm still not going to do that to my customers...I guess I call the fee I pay part of my wonderful customer svc.)
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sulyn1950
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:47:37 PM
Well-eBay is going to have a big job ahead of them it they are going to check into all the auctions with TOS stating if a winner chooses to use PayPal or Billpoint they will have to pay the fees. I have seen it in numerous auctions. Even from a couple of "Power Sellers". One PS even states if winner insist on PP, they have to email the seller for a authorization number and include that in the subject line of the PP payment or it won't be accepted. I looked at their current auctions and they have lots of people bidding so I guess it doesn't bother the bidders. Then again maybe they haven't read the TOS yet and they'll be in for a surprise when the EOA comes in! 
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:53:23 PM
If the Powerseller is stating this on their auctions and they are getting lots of bids....maybe I'll HAVE to do it. My auctions have been SLOW .... 
(even with wonderful customer service)
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minx47
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:56:34 PM
This thread could not have come at a better time..... I recently bought a set of Tolkien cd's with the Buy It Now Feature....when I asked about Paypal payment (as I did NOT want to use the Exchangepath he had listed on his auction page) I was told that I could use paypal if I added ONE PERCENT of the bid price to my payment....I was infuriated and have not sent payment yet....think I will send this thread to him......Thanks for all the great info...Pam
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uaru
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posted on December 17, 2000 08:57:39 PM
if buyer uses PayPal, they are responsible to pay the fees.... How are your feelings on this??
If I really wanted the item I'd pay the PayPal fees, they'd probably be cheaper than a money order and stamp. I'd also report the seller to Safe Harbor and I might leave feedback commenting on the unethical practice the seller employed. Some eBay sellers wouldn't last 1 week in a brick and mortar world.
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 17, 2000 09:07:17 PM
I went into Safeharbor's rules and regulations and really didn't find any rule that applied to charging extra fees. It seems like before someone can get into trouble by asking for the fees, eBay should clearly (yeh, right) state it where you can easily (yeh right) find it. I haven't added up my PayPal fees yet for November...but it does make it much easier for me and the customer. Personally I would rather pay the Paypal fees and complete the transaction faster then get strung along for weeks by deadbeats (who are BTW on the rampage this month!!)that are telling me the check/money order is in the mail
[ edited by TammiAndy on Dec 17, 2000 09:10 PM ]
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on December 17, 2000 09:17:11 PM
My last deadbeat kept telling me he was going to pay me through PayPal, but for some reason, was continually unable to access his account. Deadbeats use PayPal, too.
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 09:17:11 PM
So it's a packing fee.
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packer
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posted on December 17, 2000 09:18:02 PM
I'm glad you asked.
I've been seaching e-bay for the past week looking for a particular board game for a gift.
I found a "Buy It Now" they wanted $55.00(yikes) but his was the only one being offered. So I read his TOS - were talking POWER SELLER here. $8.00 to ship(must weigh 20#'s to cost that) PLUS $1.50 fee if you wanted to use PayPal.
Nuts to that...my search showed this was his 2nd time around on listing it. I guess he'll just have to keep it.
Well...discouraged as I was I went shopping on the web.
I found the same game for $29.95 + $5.95 shipping. Bought it and I bet I get it by Christmas.
Heck with those that want to charge a PayPal fee. I don't charge my customers so I'll be darn if I'm going to pay someone else for the privledge.
Paying my own PayPal fees is annoying enough.
.
edited for packer by packer!!
.
Having a BAD HAIR DAY! ... 
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 09:28:04 PM
When your operating on a slim margin 2.2%
of item price + shipping + insurance is
kinda hard to absorb.
Packer. sounds like you ran into a power
seller with a power pricing policy.
ie. a crook
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RichieRich
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posted on December 17, 2000 10:10:07 PM
In many states, Colorado for example, it is against the law to pass on fees associated to using credit cards. You can give a discount for paying another way but not charge the buyer for using a credit card if you agree to accept them in the first place. I believe that is why ebay states this is not allowed. Too many states have laws against it. I for one would not charge a buyer or pay a seller that offers PayPal in their terms.
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cajunatpassmore
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posted on December 17, 2000 10:25:40 PM
I agree with Packer! Paying my own PayPal fees is enough for me without paying extra for someone elses.
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 11:37:44 PM
Not a credit card feec this is a PayPal fee.
It is true,it is not legal to charge for the use of a CC.
Which is what PP is doing except they are not
charging the user.
Sweet deal, no?
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Glenda
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posted on December 17, 2000 11:46:26 PM
TammiAndy, the info about surcharges is at the bottom of the Listing Policies page in SafeHarbor.
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hamburgler
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posted on December 17, 2000 11:52:43 PM
I have not reached the PayPal 500.00 limit as of yet. But when I have reached it and am forced to pay the fees I will do the following..and it is legal and is acepted by Ebay. Add the fee to the shipping fee. Then use a coupon for a special promotion for the month (which is always running) saying that if you pay via money order or internet payment service receive a credit of (whatever you added to your shipping)and then after that add (excludes PayPal payments). Buyers don't want to pay the Paypal fees then they can pay .35 - .80 for a money order, .33 stamp, and envelope and paper and then WAIT. If all sellers do this buyers will jump at the chance to pay fees from Paypal and any other fees these sites throw at the sellers.
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dixiebee
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posted on December 18, 2000 03:44:03 AM
Below is the letter I sent to a seller who wanted me to pay an additional 30 cents for using PayPal. I didn't say I wouldn't pay, I just pointed out some information that he didn't know. He waived the 30 cents and I paid him promptly with PayPal. He did not note this extra charge in his auctions, just in his EOA notice.
I am not trying to be difficult, but did you know that your 30 cent surcharge for using PayPal is against eBay policy? Please refer to http://pages.ebay.com/help/community/png-list.html at the bottom of the page under Credit Card Surcharges.
I will be paying you with existing funds from my PayPal account which I believe is cheaper as of December 1st. Please refer to https://secure.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/acc/policy for the revised fee schedule.
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kiki2
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posted on December 18, 2000 03:52:14 AM
I just won an auction last night where the seller states in their listing that because Paypal's fees, that the winner bidder if using Paypal must add an extra 25 cents to cover that. This seller has over 900 feedbacks with few negatives and nothing to do with paying the fee.
Since I just won the auction last night (after waiting 9 days for it to end. Yawn), I haven't received the EOA notice from the seller yet. I will probably pay it only because I want my item quickly and it's still cheaper than a money order or waiting for my check to clear. But I won't bid on an auction again that charges for Paypal now that I know sellers aren't allowed to do so.
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TammiAndy
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posted on December 18, 2000 08:30:24 AM
Gosh...thank you everybody for your input!! I like being able to see the pros and cons of issues...it makes me a better seller and a more understanding buyer! Happy Holidays to all of you!!!!
P.S. I am not trying to end this thread...you are still welcome to leave me more thoughts!! My auctions are done for the year....give me something to read
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