posted on February 19, 2001 08:58:19 PM
I am currently selling digital cameras on ebay. I only make about $50-80 per camera, after ebay costs, so I prefer not to use paypal because it would cost me another $15-20. So, I have recently encouraged bidpay with messages like "reccomended, fast and reliable". I also charge a 2% surcharge for PayPal. Sales have slowed a tiny bit, but nothing I can't deal with. I had a couple compliants, and I politely replied that they could buy from my competition who dont charge for PayPal or use anotherform of payment. ANYWAYS...Ebay emailed me today with the following message basically threatening me to chaneg my auctions...
eBay appreciates the fact that you chose to list your auctions, e.g.,
new OLYMPUS C3000 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA KIT
Item #XXXXXXXXXXX
with us. Unfortunately, your auction made reference to an additional charge for bidders who pay by paypal. This surcharge, which is
an added cost to the buyer over and above the final sale price and shipping/handling, is not allowed under the laws of many states,
including California, where eBay's servers reside.
The following appears to be inconsistent with our listing guidelines:
"...through PayPal (2 % surcharge)."
This activity is also inconsistent with the Merchant Agreements established by most major credit cards. For more information please
see:
We will allow you 24 hours to modify all of your auctions so that any reference to this fee is either no longer on the listing, or
place a disclaimer after the description saying this fee will not be charged.
You may change or add to the description by
following the instructions on this URL:
We apologize for the inconvenience. However if these changes are not made within 24 hours, your auctions run the risk of being
ended early by eBay.
As an alternative to the credit card surcharge, you may offer a discount to buyers who pay by money order or check. If you
would like to use this option, the discount would have to be taken off the winning bid price after the auction closes. This
way, the bidder is not charged any additional fees.
Please understand our goal is to help you understand our policies to ensure successful experiences at eBay. Therefore, we
respectfully request that you refrain from this activity in the future to avoid the possibility of a suspension of your eBay
registration.
Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter.
Well what do you think...I have seen others do this all the time with expensive items. Is still basically a lot of bulls&^% to ensure that they can get their "fair share"of every cent I bring in???
Well, I changed my auctions to say "PayPal payments will carry a 2% S & H charge" According to ebay, that is ok...
posted on February 19, 2001 09:11:12 PMWell, I changed my auctions to say "PayPal payments will carry a 2% S & H charge" According to ebay, that is ok...
I'll be very surprised if eBay considers that 'okie dokie'. What you have is still a surcharge. Bottom line on the surcharge is this, eBay gets no FVFs on a surcharge. You can offer discounts to other methods of payments, but you can't offer a surcharge and have eBay's blessings.
posted on February 19, 2001 09:15:01 PM
People are allowed to charge $20 for items that weigh over 20 lbs, so I should be able to charge 2% for an item that I have to take time to verify and do "extra" work on. Thanks for your input...
posted on February 19, 2001 09:26:30 PM
Unfortunately, people see a higher price and don't bid (about $15-20). And then bay stiffs me for a few more bucks...
posted on February 19, 2001 10:14:28 PM
Well, I changed my auctions to say "PayPal payments will carry a 2% S & H charge" According to ebay, that is ok...
Are you indicating that:
1) you changed your auctions to read like above
2) that you actually verify the change with ebay
and
3) actually got approval from ebay that the change is acceptable and you CAN charge for PayPal.
