posted on September 20, 2000 09:49:52 AM new
Please, if someone can clarify. I've been reading all the posts last few weeks but am only getting more lost.
I am a small time seller on ebay- well I maybe sell 10 low end items a week. I love paypal but I can't afford the fees I've now been reading will be charged.
When I go to my paypal area I have NEVER seen any info on fees being charged. If I didn't come here I never would have known. Why the lack of info on the site?
On Oct 1 - what do I do if I don't want to have to pay fees and use paypal as I guess I will have to pay fees then, right? Do I cancel my account as I do not want to upgrade to business. I do this part time for fun and extra money. Ebay's fees are enuf for me. Also I love paying with paypal as a buyer but will that cost me? Will I have to upgrade my account if I only use it to buy even if I sell on ebay (but if I don't accept paypal anymore as a seller does that count as me not being business?)
Am so confused. Any answers would be great!
Thanks!
Lauren
posted on September 20, 2000 10:04:45 AM new
fees will not be charged if you use it for the personal stuff (as in oops! I forgot my wallet! I gotta get money from paypal!)
but premmie update and business accounts fees will take effect
edited to correct
[ edited by toomanycomics on Sep 20, 2000 10:05 AM ]
posted on September 20, 2000 12:52:52 PM new
Ok but that still didn't answer my question. According to what I read I am not considered personal if I sell more than 20 items a month, which I do.
So knowing that, if someone could answer my questions. I am assuming I will get charged using paypal from now on after Oct 1 for my auctions unless I upgrade which again I won't do as I don't sell enuf to be taking out more fees than I already get from ebay. Just am confused and nothing on paypal about it when I go there.
posted on September 20, 2000 01:14:44 PM newnightbird:According to what I read I am not considered personal if I sell more than 20 items a month, which I do.
Can you tell us where on the PayPal site you got that figure? From what PPDamon has been telling us here, *any* payments to you from sales online, regardless of how few or many, are grounds for a business account.
posted on September 20, 2000 01:18:08 PM new
Hi Lauren,
It's very confusing to many of us, so don't feel alone! PayPal has not set forth any hard and fast numbers (items or dollar amount) to indicate who it considers a business -- or even if there will be any such criteria.
Some folks are waiting to see what PayPal has to say before deciding whether to switch to a business account or ditch the service altogether.
Sorry I can't be of more help. We'll just have to wait to see what PayPal has to say.
I realize the concerns and here is what I can tell you.
The policy is being drafted. There will be a two-week period before any policy is enacted (after notification)and there will be no forced upgrades (as we have said all along).
posted on September 20, 2000 06:56:25 PM newPayPalDamon: while you are passing along suggestions to the higher-ups, add this one to the *top* of the list: PayPal could avoid antagonizing users if they would only formulate policies *before* announcing changes, etc. to the public For exmaple, if a policy on just what constitutes a business user had been written & in place before demanding upgrades, all the recent brouhaha could have been avoided.
posted on September 20, 2000 09:28:44 PM new
<<PayPalDamon: while you are passing along suggestions to the higher-ups, add this one to the *top* of the list: PayPal could avoid antagonizing users if they would only formulate policies *before* announcing changes, etc. to the public For exmaple, if a policy on just what constitutes a business user had been written & in place before demanding upgrades, all the recent brouhaha could have been avoided>>
Yes Yes Yes! When you post a new policy, know what it means before we ask!
posted on September 21, 2000 08:53:08 AM new
I read on the other boards about if you have more than 20 auctions a month you are considered a business - and that that is what Paypal said. Again I never saw a thing on the paypal site so I am beyond confused.
If things are still in draft then what do I go come Oct 1 or when I run my next auctions? I do NOT want to get charged for paypal so I need to know. Will I get charged?
posted on September 24, 2000 05:08:48 PM new
One would think a min dollar amount would apply. Someone may sell 10 items a month and make $4,000 and another may sell 50 items a month and make $400. Does that mean the 10 item guy gets the personal account while the other guy gets the screws. A much fairer idea would be say $2000 or under in payments a month is personal and over that would be a premuium and then another level for business. I guess that may be to simple and not confusing enough though. And yes we were promised a fee would NEVER be charged to individuals it's just your lingo disqualifies everyone as an individual.
posted on September 26, 2000 04:11:50 AM new
I'm also here sitting on the fence being very confused! I still have a personal account and am unverified because my bank advised me that if I did these electronic transfers it would be considered a business account and the credit union does not have business accounts! I sell probably 40 items a month on eBay, mostly old magazines. If I am forced to choose a business or premier account, I will have to close my PayPal account since it doesn't look like you can request checks to be mailed with these 2 accounts. Damon - if you could clarify these points please:
(1) can you have a premier account and still request checks be mailed to you?
(2) exactly what is the criteria for determination if you should use the business or premier account?
posted on September 26, 2000 08:09:22 AM newpaintpower" I still have a personal account and am unverified because my bank advised me that if I did these electronic transfers it would be considered a business account and the credit union does not have business accounts!"
I recommend you get an online bank account, there are several to choose from, most supply a debit/ATM card (with rebates on ATM fees), free checks, interest, and a bonus on signing up. I doesn't take long to set up an account, and they'll offer a lot more than your corner bank because of the tremendous competition that exists.
posted on September 26, 2000 10:47:55 AM new
HI paintpower,
(1) can you have a premier account and still request checks be mailed to you?(Yes)
(2) exactly what is the criteria for determination if you should use the business or premier account?(That is a personal choice. They have the same functionality, but is a user-identified classifcation. Premier is for people that need the functionality of the business account, but don't want to be classified a business)
posted on September 26, 2000 11:56:03 AM new
Paypaldamon: I am new to these boards. I have read most of these threads over the past few days and have decided to halt my online selling until this is resolved. I have been using paypal for about 6 mos and initially took the then $10 "carrot" to sign up at the insistance of a bidder on one of my items. I was, at that time selling off some excess possessions, and have since developed a very modest sewing hobby. I have probably less than 20 auctions per month, and not all use of those buyers use paypal. I do not consider myself a business. When I go to the paypal website to browse without signing in, it apprears to me that according to my needs and to my definition of whether or not I am a business, I am entitled to retain the services promised to me when I signed up and remain an individual, not a business. Is Paypal going to make me declare myself as a business? I am a mother of three, not a business. I am industrious at getting rid of kids clothes that don't fit, and at cleaning out the attic. I have found out that one can get more for stuff this way than at a yard sale, generally speaking. I am, however, not a business. I sell excess household items, often not for a profit, and also a few handmade items, often not for a profit. Does that make me a business, even though I might occassionally sell more than 20 items per month? Shoud we be creating a new definition for business? Will the federal governtment then expect a cut of our yardsale profits? Is Paypal then trying to rewrite the tax code? It is very deceptive to suck people in and then change the rules. I have no problem with checks and money orders, and I'm sure lots of people agree with me on that. We got by just fine before paypal came along, and we will get by just fine after your policy makers run everyone off. I, for one, will not allow anyone to label me something that I am not. I am not even a college graduate (although I think I have one up on some who are) and I know what poor business planning this exemplifies. Shame on you people for not clarifying this from day one. tsk, tsk, tsk!
[ edited by mylittlecottage on Sep 26, 2000 11:57 AM ]
posted on September 26, 2000 01:07:06 PM newWill the federal governtment then expect a cut of our yardsale profits?
I'm no expert, but I believe the federal government does expect a cut of any profits (income from sales, less sales expenses, which exceed the price initially paid for the item), yardsale or otherwise.
Of course, it would be best to seek the opinion of a tax expert, rather than follow advice received on a message board.
posted on September 26, 2000 01:38:30 PM new
I realize that the "yard sale" tax likely already exists, but my point was to illustrate the absurdity of the very idea that government has its hand that deep in our pockets as to consider the sale of our used property that has already been sold and taxed time and again. My point in using this absurdity was to point out to paypal that such "sellers" should not be considered "businesses". Otherwise, individuals are no different than Joe Blow's Retail establishment. BTW, I am sure the line is now forming at the IRS for the yard sale form.
posted on September 28, 2000 12:23:31 AM new
I can't believe how pathetically whiny everyone on this message board is. Come on people, PayPal is offering a GREAT SERVICE and all you can do is whine because they are charging you A LITTLE FEE? Get real. Whenever I see the "we've used checks before and we can do it again" posts I just have to laugh. Yeah ok... so you will use checks until you die, right. Every other payment service out there SUCKS and PayPal is by far the most convenient. Besides, buyers don't want to use checks. If I win a bid on EBay I will send the seller a PayPal payment. I don't care if they don't want to take PayPal. And if they refuse my payment, screw the seller, I can go elsewhere to get the same item. So get with it people and don't complain when PayPal charges a fee. Of course they are going to charge a fee. Do you think all this is free? How braindead can you people be? I guarantee one thing: no matter how many free payment services like PayPal are out there, NONE OF THEM WILL REMAIN FREE. So you might as well stick with PayPal because it's the best there. Stop whining.
posted on September 28, 2000 04:40:56 AM new
If I win a bid on EBay I will send the seller a PayPal payment. I don't care if they don't want to take PayPal. And if they refuse my payment, screw the seller,
To whoever posted the above - seems like you wouldn't have to worry about paying with PayPal on eBay too long if you did this! If you didn't pay the seller according to their terms, your account would soon be closed because of all the NPB and negs you would get!
posted on September 28, 2000 06:26:47 AM new
Dear JK650,
The point, and all the whining, is because they lied and intentionally decieved the public time after time.
It was always their plan to charge fees. Rather than being honest and upfront, they chose to lie and make false public statements about their service in order to gain a quick market share.
Yes, the current rate is very reasonable. But a couple months ago it was free. The problem is, how much and how many times are they going to raise it in the future. They have already shown that they cannot be trusted or believed, so who can say whether or not the rate may be raised to 3.5% right in the middle of Christmas selling season when all the sellers have hundreds of auctions running and can't do a thing about it.
If you opened an account with a bank that promised "in writing" lifetime free checking, then got your bank statement to find they decided to charge you ten cents a check and a two dollar monthly fee, would you accept it as still being reasonable and tell the other bank customers to stop whining??? Of course not.
PayPal lie number one: It is and always will be free. "There's no cost to either you or the recipient"
PayPal lie number two: We will never force anyone to upgrade to a Business or Premium account. ( Paypal Damon, on this message board. And stated on PayPal Site )
The new policy at PayPal will no doubt be that it is free to send money, but you have to pay the fees to withdraw it. It is coming. Count on it.
Now in closing...How many users would have signed up if they new about the fees upfront rather than being lied to and told it would be a free service for them. Would they even still exist if they were honest in the beginning?
posted on September 28, 2000 06:42:31 AM new
<<Now in closing...How many users would have signed up if they new about the fees upfront rather than being lied to and told it would be a free service for them. Would they even still exist if they were honest in the beginning?>>
In my opinion, yes they would still exist. The compamy would have charged fees in the beginning, not relying "on the float". probably would have grown slowly, but consistent.
The idea is a good one, even the now fees are not bad, and it is mighty convinent for the sellers without a merchant account.
But it is the lack of security and trust, the lies and constantly changing TOS that is slowly sinking their ship.
I feel to a lot of people it is not just the fees, but the way the company has presented itself that is now causing all the problems.
[ edited by toomanycomics on Sep 20, 2000 10:05 AM ]