Question about Ebay

one2gofst

one2gofst

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I recently won an auction on Ebay. I received an email from the person auctioning the knife and in the email he informed me that if I want to pay with Paypal he would be charging a 3% surcharge. Problem is that nowhere in his auction did he mention that the paypal payment auction would include the additional 3%. I understand that many people charge the additional 3% that Paypal takes out, but I do not believe it is right to only inform someone of this after the deal has been reached. What are your opinions on this situation?

I just noticed that in the payment instructions it said to "contact me before paying with paypal." Still, this seems shady to me. It did not say to contact before bidding if I plan on using Paypal, just to contact before paying with it.

Still, let me know what you guys think.

BTW, here is the auction's link
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1078500208&ed=10
 
I know I can do that. But if I would have known that I had to send a money order or pay the surcharge in the first place I would not have bid. If that is my only recourse I will have to, but I do not want to.
 
...I sold $1400 worth of knives and such. My profit was $90. My costs after ebay fees, Paypal's 'cut', and shipping costs were $88.

My total and complete profit? $2 For about 6 hours work.

So, it's not 'about' profit, but as a seller, if you can minimize the hits, then you should. I think it's cheezy to hit the buyer up for Paypal fees, but it does make a big difference in your bottom line.

Besides, USPS M/O's are .80, so with a stamp, you as the buyer are looking at 10 bits or less...not a big charge.

Send him a M/O, and remember to ask your questions 'before' you bid on ebay next time...

Mel
 
I suppose that is what I will do. I guess you live and learn. Thanks for the advice MP. For the record, I don't have a problem with someone charging the 3% that Paypal takes. However, I think it is shady to spring it on them once the sale is over. Thanks again.
 
Originally posted by one2gofst
I suppose that is what I will do. I guess you live and learn. Thanks for the advice MP. For the record, I don't have a problem with someone charging the 3% that Paypal takes. However, I think it is shady to spring it on them once the sale is over. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

one2, they way it was handled was very shady. The reason he did it that way is because eBay rules prohibit hitting up the buyer for PayPal fees. I wouldn't deal with this person again, nor would I leave positive feedback. I wouldn't leave negative feedback either because that usually blows up in your face.
 
My thoughts exactly. I figured I was going to be stuck paying the slow way. I just wanted to make sure I was not out of line in my thinking it was shady.
 
I always use Postal Money Orders exclusively for the protection they provide from mail fraud. Since mail fraud is a federal offense you always have the Postal Inspectors to back you up and they carry a big stick and follow up on complaints. Also, I use good old US Mail to send the Money Order as opposed to Fed-ex or any other service to increase the mail fraud protection. The above is worth the slight inconvenience it causes me.

If you read all the fine print with Paypal you probably wouldn't use them. I surely won't but YMMV.
 
Jeez, I think this guy is a **** just for putting the word Custom in the "description" of this production Emerson.

It's one thing to try and decrease your losses but that's what reserve pricing is for, or you can set the entry bid at your lowest acceptable price. You should plan for the potential of a buyer using Paypal and if they pay by MO the seller gets another 3%.

If you're losing money on eBay you're not doing it right. Me, I'd rather keep the crap I'm trying to sell than take a beating on it, so if it doesn't sell it doesn't sell.

Just my $0.02 :)
 
I can't believe the word T U R D was censored but crap wasn't, interesting...
 
If any e-bay auctions says something like, you have to pay extra if you are going to use PayPal, then e-bay (if notified) will pull the auction and issue a warning to the seller that it's against policy to do that. After three strikes... the seller is out.
 
Thing is he never said anything about it on Ebay. All he said there was "contact me prior to paying with paypal."
 
Ebay does not allow variable surcharges, period. It is also against the law in a number of states. You are allowed to up-front charge for PayPal and such ONLY if you offer a discount (equal to the up-front surcharge) to those that pay by other methods, such as money order.

If you were to inform Ebay, they will pound on the seller, but they will only get a warning to cease and desist. You also will not have to pay it on this transaction, but it will really slow down receipt of the item.

In 32 transaction on Ebay, I have had on two bad experiences. If you are buying anything other than "new", I strongly recommend writing to the seller to confirm your interpretation of their description. If they don't reply, or if they reply with gobbledy gook, don't bid, period.
 
I have noticed quite a few auctions where the buyer states that winners should not use the E-bay checkout system. Are they trying to beat a fee?

I have never had a problem with paying the three percent for card or Pay-Pal as long as the person was up front about it. I've never bought from E-Bay. In some cases, it ws not much more than a MO would cost, or in some cases less.

As always, caveat emptor. A lot of E-Bay ads just don't smell right to me. I've had great purchases through forums. I think this is mostly due to the fact that you can read folks histories and make a call.

Cheers
 
one2gofst,

I don't see anything unreasonable in the seller's position. Ebay does not allow him to be more upfront about the charges. Its' not that they love you its just that EBAY would like to encourage everyone to use their own processing system. Perhaps the seller would have done better by offering a 3% discount for buyer paying via check or money order, but, he did warm you about paypal and you made the choice to bid.

n2s
 
Not2sharp, I have no problem being notified of additional fees up front. However I found it shady in the way it was placed and worded. "Contact me before paying with paypal" mentions nothing about the possibility of paying more. It also does not say to Contact him before bidding if you plan on using paypal. I agree there is probably nothing blatantly wrong with the auction, I just don't think it was handled right by a long shot. Thanks for your input.
 
Hey Dude....

I buy and sell knives on Ebay Often....

That is pretty lame of him to do that. Way uncool. He should mention that in the text of the description, ...if he did not state that you should not have to pay more. If anything he get's his moey more quickly. I never mind taking a little less for Paypal.

Tell him you will post negative feedback if he continues to insist on the extra 3%.

Regards,
Marc
 
one2gofst,

I agree that the information should have been placed up front. But, you are blaming the wrong guy. Ebay is preventing the seller from stating his position as clearly as he would like.

n2s
 
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