posted on April 7, 2001 12:55:10 AM new
It's not OK by PayPal, and it's not OK by eBay. You could send the info to Safe Harbor, and they will probably either close the auction(s) or give the seller the opportunity to revise them to get rid of the fee. I think that happened to an auction I was watching, because the TOS changed a couple of days after I put it on my list.
They CAN, however, offer a discount for cash/checks/money orders (at least that's the info I've seen from other sellers here).
posted on April 7, 2001 05:32:24 AM new
Just for the record, eBay is enforcing an "unwritten rule" about PayPal surcharges. That is why the seller may not be aware of it.
posted on April 7, 2001 08:52:28 AM new
I don't think it's an 'unwritten rule' anymore now that Ebay changed its TOS.
I'm glad they're enforcing this. As a longtime brick and mortar seller *and* Ebay seller, I do not approve of Internet sellers trying to recoup costs in a way that is illegal for brick and mortar sellers. There is a cost to take credit cards, period, and because it's been free for a while (and still is for some people who are using some services) does not mean that people should take that for the status quo. You can choose not to take them, or you can take them, and pay the associated fees, but this take them and make the buyer pay the fee is ridiculous. It's horrible PR for auction sellers. And I will continue to report it.
And yes, I realize that B&M sellers have the advantage of being able to build in a higher asking price, (add in their costs 'invisibly') while auction sellers like me (who starts all my stuff at $1 with a retail value of $75-150)are at a distinct disadvantage because we can't predict our final price and won't get anything extra for the Paypal fees unless we charge. Yes, I know that. It's an unfair disadvantage of online auction selling as opposed to B&M selling. BUT, Life is unfair sometimes! I look at that imbalance, that 'unfairness' (B&M sellers can recoup CC fees with higher prices, and I can't) and think: well, thank GOD i'm not paying rent and utilities for a shop anymore. I'm not worrying if someone will trip and sue me for a million bucks over a sprained ankle. I'm not asking mommies for the 20th time not to let their rugrats manhandle antique merchandise. I'm not having to put up with sweet but stinky homeless people asking to use my bathroom or traveling salesmen dropping in constantly to ask me if I need a new rubber stamp. I'm poorer, but I'm better off now.
You can't have it both ways. For those of you using the still-free services, your time will come too, you're just putting off the inevitable...
posted on April 7, 2001 09:39:09 AM new
Passing on PayPal fees to your customer is against PayPal rules as well as ebaY's. But it IS NOT against the law.
It is against the law for a merchant to pass along credit card fees to the customer. YOU are not the merchant referred to however. PayPal is the merchant. PayPal is the owner of the merchant account. PayPal cannot pass on a credit card fee to the seller (PayPal's customer). This IS against the law. Therefore PayPal charges fees for ALL transactions, including those that do not involve a credit card (these fees are technically for providing a service, not a credit card fee). To so would place PayPal in violation of the law. Since sellers don't pay credit card fees for PayPal transactions (they pay service fees), it IS legal to pass on the PayPal fees to ebaY buyers. But it is in fact against PayPal and ebaY rules.
Anyone who wishes to dispute this, please answer this question: If I'm incorrect, how does PayPal manage to avoid breaking the law if they pass on the credit card fees to the seller (their customer)?
posted on April 7, 2001 10:47:27 AM new
I had a seller charge me not .30, but $1.00 for using PayPal to pay for an auction...I don't expect my customers to pay for the service, why should they??!
posted on April 7, 2001 05:28:25 PM new
When I first signed up with Pay Pal I didn't need to give them bank or credit card info.Then like all the blood suckers that milk the sellers they started to charge.They simply denied me access to my account.Now I HAVE to give them the info. or they keep the money.It's been 6 months and they keep running me around their suppoet gauntlet.THAT should be against the law.
I say we all STOP USING PAY PAL and the others.Send a personal check and wait a few days,or split the 80 cents to buy a postal money order.This used to be fun and easy untill all the rip off artists figured out how to charge both ends to death.When are we as sellers and buyers going to SEE who is causing all the problems?The blood suckers have US fighting back and forth and too involved to back up and see who's fanning the flame.
Remember the old saying "Suppose they gave a war and nobody showed up"?Well let them all charge what they want to who they want and just DON'T USE THEM.
posted on April 7, 2001 05:39:14 PM new
Now that Pay Pal charges both ends I heard that ebay is jealous and is going to charge the buyers a final auction fee just like the seller.About time they figured how to put it to the buyer too.I can't wait untill they have their big sites with all their charges and affiliate blood suckers poised for action and NOBODY can afford to use them.
