morgantown
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posted on July 2, 2001 08:54:53 PM
Shocking? Well, perhaps not! 
I added a short blurb to my EOA invoice that goes something like this:
Due to PAYPAL increased fee structure, we kindly ask [not require] that invoices under $15 be paid by alternative method. You can choose "C2IT.COM," "PAYDIRECT.YAHOO.COM," OR "CHECK/MONEY ORDER." Thank you for your consideration. Not my exact words/statement.
Recently, I closed 200 auctions. Only eight people paid via PayPal. My normal ratio was approx. 50%!!!! Additionally, some concerned buyers wrote asking to GIVE me additional funds to cover PayPal fees [I respectfully declined and told them to use PayPal].
Only one person complained because she did not understand that we were only asking for consideration - it was not required or mandatory.
I cannot take credit for this idea. Someone posted it a few weeks ago. I just wanted to tell you that it works----shockingly so...
MTown
PS. what do you think?
PPS. only a small percentage of my sales was under $15, even the expensive items are being paid via check or MO.
ubb
[ edited by morgantown on Jul 2, 2001 08:56 PM ]
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lanefamily
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posted on July 2, 2001 09:10:55 PM
Thanks for taking the leap. I have a lot of under $15.00 sales. This will once again save PayPal, I have removed it from most of my auctions. I am glad to hear it workde out.
Off to add it right now.
Thanks
Jim
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jenndiggy1
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posted on July 2, 2001 09:20:23 PM
I had a potential bidder get rude with me this week because I don't accept paypal. He said writing a check is too much hassle. I guess it can be too much hassle for me to accept his bid on a $3 item.
THEN after I said I accept checks and money orders only, he had the audacity to tell me how to run my business -- "Just increase your beginning bid so you can accept paypal free". Uh, paypal is NOT free.
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RichieRich
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posted on July 2, 2001 09:42:04 PM
Not sure if this would work for you all. But have you considered closing your PayPal business account and opening a new PERSONAL ACCOUNT. I think you need to use a different email address but you can easily inform the winners of that email addy.
I never had anything but a personal account. I do NOT advistise PayPal in my listing. In my EOA I tell winners that they can pay via PayPal for NON CREDIT CARD transactions. I have the $100 that PayPal allows in credit card transactions there for those that seem to not know how to read. Some months it gets all used up, others it does not.
I get paid over $1000 a month this way and pay NO FEES at all, YET. Rarely does anyone complaint, ask why all the time but understand.
Most of my auctions start at $ 9.99, and many close at that also.
Just that it might work for others!
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jt-2007
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posted on July 2, 2001 09:51:41 PM
I must differ.
I generally only buy items under $15 and if they don't take PayPal I don't bid. It's too much trouble/too pricy to send a MO or wait for them to hold for check clearance. Most of the stuff I buy, I can get at Wal-Mart...but it's 30 miles so I just buy it on ebay for the ease. Click to bid, click to pay...then forget it until it shows up on my back deck.
If I can use PayPal with the money already in there from selling, it's very tempting to not drive 30 miles for a pack of magic markers, a pair of shorts, or a bath mat.
T
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morgantown
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posted on July 2, 2001 10:03:34 PM
JT Please read above again. This is not posted within the auction description, it's in the "End Of Auction Invoice."
MTown
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doninpa
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posted on July 2, 2001 10:42:43 PM
I started a thread a couple of weeks ago saying the same thing, and it has been working very nicely. It is very surprising how many people agree that paypal is out of control, understand perfectly and insist on adding in an extra $0.50 to cover fees. No complaints out of about 500 transactions, and many others feel bad but really want to use it, and I have no problem with that.
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morgantown
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posted on July 2, 2001 10:56:14 PM
Hi Don in PA!
It was your idea, and a great one!
I am thrilled that so many buyers would care enough to send a check instead of PayPal...
MTown
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lanefamily
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posted on July 2, 2001 11:41:21 PM
jt
If I can use PayPal with the money already in there from selling
Talk about the all trusting, just put it on the line for them. You should never pay with money in your account. You remove one line of defense and that is your credit card company.
Jim
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Libra63
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posted on July 2, 2001 11:48:38 PM
I have a personal account with PayPal and I do say in my auctions that I take it. I just don't put in the logo. When my account gets close to $100.00 I get a notice from them and then I electronicly send it to my checking account. I do not sell large ticket items so it is real easy to do.
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snakebait
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posted on July 3, 2001 12:19:31 AM
I have never had a merchant account. I tell people right up front that I can only accept CC's through PayPal until my receiving limit is reached. In my ad. And in my EOA's I let them know if it is reached. No problems so far. I have a very nice European bidder whose only reasonable way to pay for an inexpensive item is through PayPal and CC.
Told him to wait to pay till my limit 'refreshes', and sent the item anyway.
Not recommended for your average transaction, but I will trust a German bidder over an American any day of the week.
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anggellene
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posted on July 3, 2001 04:03:39 AM
Since nearly all of my transactions are under $15 and PayPal's fees have now become OUTRAGEOUS(for me anyways!) I will be dropping the PayPal logos from all of my auctions as of July 6th.
I just can't afford to give PayPal 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction when Billpoint gives me a rate of 0%(yes 0!!) + 35¢ per transaction under $15.00. On my typical $7.50 transaction I would be giving PayPal 47¢ versus Billpoint's 35¢. Sorry but I'd rather keep that 12¢ for myself!
What really honks me off is that afer checking how my customer's were paying MOST are paying from their PayPal balances and NOT a credit card so WHY the high fees for a simple transfer from one PayPal account to another??
I WILL NOT advertise for PayPal any longer and that's really a shame for them because 75% of my bidders are newbies and might have signed up for PayPal if they were *encouraged* to.
I signed up for PayPal in the very beginning and have stuck it out with them. Now they are just like a bad stain on your favorite dress! 
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dixiebee
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posted on July 3, 2001 05:21:11 AM
snakebait: For a lot of international bidders who want to pay via cc, I still offer them the opportunity to buy me an amazon.com gift certificate in the amount of the order.
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escandyo
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posted on July 3, 2001 06:54:05 PM
I try to save Paypal for the low end items, too, then you get a few azzes who insist on paying for $20-$30 items with it, and screw it up.
What do you do, return it to 'um?
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cassiescloset
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posted on July 3, 2001 08:41:21 PM
Isn't there a $100 maximum transaction limit on personal accounts? Can you exceed the $100 limit if the funds come from electronic checks or existing balances?
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Libra63
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posted on July 3, 2001 08:50:15 PM
Cassie-before you reach $100.00 paypal sends a notice. I can't remember it exactly but I think it says if you exceed the $100.00 amount you have to have a business account. The notice comes at about $60.00 so it gives you time to send it to your checking account.
I must have missed something. What is PayPal going to charge for? and when did they announce it? I am always a day late and a dollar short.
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escandyo
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posted on July 3, 2001 11:00:20 PM
Doesn't quite work that way on personal accounts. You're limited to $100 in credit card transactions for each month, defined as each 30 day period from the day you opened your account.
Whether you deposit a portion or all in your bank account has no bearing on it. Once you've hit your $100, they won't allow you to accept more without upgrading.
I just had another KNOTHEAD BIDDER pay by Paypal credit card when I specifially requested credit cards through Billpoint.
I'm about ready to start listing a notice, if they can't pay by the terms, expect a surcharge or consider the transaction voided with a neg to be expected!
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doormat
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posted on July 4, 2001 03:16:12 AM
escandyo> Aren't you being just a little harsh? You can't expect buyers to familiarize themselves with every little idiosyncrasy you might have with your payment services. If you accept PayPal, then I think your problem lies with them, not your buyers.
And I have never heard of someone leaving a negative feedback because the buyer paid with a credit card. That would be enough to (as Anggellene puts it) "honk me off".
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keziak
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posted on July 4, 2001 04:43:30 AM
I am also a small seller who maintains a Personal Account. I explain in my auction listing that I do not take credit cards via PayPal but gladly accept non-CC payments. The majority of my buyers pay me by e-check or PP account transfer.
I regularly get asked what is up, and most folks are satisfied when I explain about the limit. Others say they'll just send other payment, such as PayDirect.
I don't know how many customers I lose because of this, probably some.
Last, this only works because PP now has the policy of notifying me when my limit is reached. I can then deny any CC payments that exceed my limit. I believe in the olden days, they locked up your account until you upgraded. Their new policy is great...I assume they do that because they don't want the incoming CC payments anyway.
I also direct some folks who want to use credit cards to my hubby's Personal account, so I actually have a $200 limit per month.
keziak
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escandyo
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posted on July 4, 2001 08:54:07 AM
The acceptable payment terms were listed on the auction page. Why not a neg?
If you stated No Checks, and someone sent you one anyway--basically forced you to take it or send it back--would you be just a bit bothered? Particularly if it caused you to lose being able to accept payment from 7 or so other bidders? Even if you sent it BACK?
If TOS are stated, I hear over and over again the buyer is expected to follow them, or email prior to bidding to confirm with the seller. I don't see this as being any different.
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gs4
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posted on July 4, 2001 09:55:07 AM
snakebait
Why make them wait to pay you? Bidpay is just great for over seas transactions.
No fuss or worries with them.
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pfi850
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posted on July 4, 2001 07:40:26 PM
I have been pushing Achex service www.achex.com. This is a free service that uses checking acount for source of funds(It is pretty safe to say if you have a credit card you have a checking account). When payment clears, usually 3 days, it is deposited directly into your account. No fees currently, much nicer customer service department(They actually called me at home to see how service was working and if I had any questions or comments) and no worry about charge backs. I may start giving a rebate to my bidders who use it for payment.
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