Should PayPal Gift Option be permitted for sales?

[lwsii]

glad for that thread 'bump', I read all thru this and figured I was going to be kind of late for the party.

Too many rules, just use common sense,post your price, negotiate the details privately, if you can't come to terms, no problem, some one else will or they won't. My personal opinion is adding back pay pal fees is kind of pissy, but if that's how they want to do it, and you want it, well...I've had more than one knife sent to me to peruse & either send a check or the knife back (as a matter of fact, that's how I was converted from lockbacks to linerlocks many years ago) and of course we had done business before. I've sent a couple out for perusal, it all depends on the deal, the circumstances, individuals, etc., but rules shouldn't be used as an excuse against common sense. But 'gifting' payment just doesn't sound right, I mean if the parties are tight enough to not worry about protection, his knife and your check can cross in the mail and see what issues develop then. or not. so i vote yes, but I don't see ever doing it personally, your business is your business.

 

[Displaced Buckeye]

It is not our job to enforce Paypal's rules.

Bladeforums merely provides a venue, for a small membership fee, for members to buy sell, and trade knives and related items. We ask that a few rules be followed while conducting business on the forums. We cannot tell anyone what methods they should use to pay or receive payments. That is a private transaction between buyer and seller.

If someone asks you to use the gift option when using Paypal, simply say 'NO', and either make a counter offer, or move on.

I agree with this. A seller can choose whatever terms they like. I can also choose not to accept them and move on. I don't buy from people that say "Gift Only" and I usually look past people that require you to add the fee into the price, "Net to them", unless it's something I really want. Do the math yourself and add that into the price you're asking. Like I said, they have their choices and I have mine.

 

[Bastid]

:thumbup: The post below (actually a little above) sums it up for me. When a seller insists on the "gift" option right or wrong, I do not draw a good conclusion about their character.

No, it should not be allowed.

It's very simple, we all agreed to use Paypal in a certain way when we agreed to the terms of service.

Using GIFT for goods is stealing. It just is. There's no way to paint it any other way.

Don't like Paypal's rules? Don't use the service. Simple.

 

[Hard Knocks]

I just don't know how to say it any better than Rhinoman.........

No, it should not be allowed.

It's very simple, we all agreed to use Paypal in a certain way when we agreed to the terms of service.

Using GIFT for goods is stealing. It just is. There's no way to paint it any other way.

Don't like Paypal's rules? Don't use the service. Simple.

Not to mention Brisket......

I voted no because using the gift option for goods is not honest, it leaves the buyer without protection and the absence of a rule preventing it is detrimental to the good reputation of this forum.

 

[Mike G]

While I have stated that it isn't our job to enforce Paypal's rules, and I stand by that, I think if we were to not allow the gift option, should we also not allow anyone to add a 3.5%, or any fee for using Paypal?

Rhinoman is correct; we all agreed to Paypal's rules when we use their service. Using the gift option , AND charging a fee for using Paypal is against their TOS.

Follow their rules, or find another method. Pretty simple. Bladeforums staff have enough to do without having to try and enforce Paypal's TOS.

 

[SaintlyBrees]

In another forum I frequent which is similar in size and activity here, this same issue went around and around for at least 6 months. In the end, the administrator employed a rule against the "gift" or "personal" payment. Since this was initialed about a year ago, there have not been any problems or complaints. I'm not saying that the same should be applied here at BladeForums (although I am all for it) - just wanted to show that this same issue has been brought up elsewhere and the end result.

Cut/Paste of the rule addition there:

-------------------------------------------------------------------

To all our Marketplace sellers: please be advised that updates (shown in bold) have recently been made to our Marketplace listing regulations in order to keep our Marketplace safe and to comply with PayPal policies.

An asking price or price range must be posted (you may ask for a best offer in addition to your stated price, however) You may not solicit payment to be made via PayPal as a gift. We strongly discourage buyers from accepting offers that request gift payments.
Sellers typically ask for gift (also known as personal) payments in order to avoid being charged a transaction fee by PayPal. By sending gift payments, buyers surrender their right to PayPal Buyer Protection for that particular transaction and consequently limit the number of things that can be done in the event of a dispute.

All future Marketplace listings must be in compliance with this new rule to avoid risking deletion by the site staff.

Perfect. BF cannot force people to follow paypal's rules, but they DO have a say over what is or is not posted here. The rule quoted above reflects this perfectly.

While I have stated that it isn't our job to enforce Paypal's rules, and I stand by that, I think if we were to not allow the gift option, should we also not allow anyone to add a 3.5%, or any fee for using Paypal?

Rhinoman is correct; we all agreed to Paypal's rules when we use their service. Using the gift option , AND charging a fee for using Paypal is against their TOS.

Follow their rules, or find another method. Pretty simple. Bladeforums staff have enough to do without having to try and enforce Paypal's TOS.

Yep. Keep it simple, just include the fees in your asking price and then everyone is on a level playing field.

 

[knarfeng]

I would not use the gift option, nor would I deal with anyone who asked me to do so for a purchase. It's dishonest.

This site should not promote dishonesty. Using the gift option should not be allowed.

 

[Daniel Dorn]

FYI, I payed using the gift option for something yesterday, and I got charged a 3.5% (+/-) fee for sending a Gift.

So, Paypal has found a way to get their money, either way. I don't think it will bother them too much, now that they get the money either coming or going.

I do think it's cheap to add on a "3% if payed by paypal" fee to a sale, as it just seems wrong. The convenience of paypal more than makes up for any fees they might incure. And I cringed a little, both times I've paid by "Gift." It just doesn't sit right with me.

 

[FLymon]

FYI, I payed using the gift option for something yesterday, and I got charged a 3.5% (+/-) fee for sending a Gift.

So, Paypal has found a way to get their money, either way. I don't think it will bother them too much, now that they get the money either coming or going.

I do think it's cheap to add on a "3% if payed by paypal" fee to a sale, as it just seems wrong. The convenience of paypal more than makes up for any fees they might incure. And I cringed a little, both times I've paid by "Gift." It just doesn't sit right with me.

From your PayPal balance, bank account, or credit card?

 

[flatblackcapo]

I think by doing away with the paypal gift option on BF it would save a lot of head ache. How many "I've been ripped off " threads have you read where the OP fesses up around post 12 that he or she has contacted paypal and asked them to do something to help them BUT they used "GIFT" and now they are SOL.

 

[mykel m]

While I have stated that it isn't our job to enforce Paypal's rules, and I stand by that, I think if we were to not allow the gift option, should we also not allow anyone to add a 3.5%, or any fee for using Paypal?

Yes,please put the wording in the rules that neither is allowed in sales threads.

If either are allowed/not prohibited in the rules due to lack of wording,then it appears to be condoned and the offenders are going to keep asking for the % & the gift option & putting buyers at risk.

The rules are in place to protect the seller by not posting anything negative in their sale thread/interfering with a sale,so why not protect buyers by not allowing sellers to put 'em at risk by requiring payment by the gift option?

I could care less whether or not Paypal gets their cut,but BF should protect buyers the way it protects sellers IMO.

After saying that ^,I admit I never read the TOS for PP & asked for 3.5% when I first went gold & started selling,(because that's what I saw most other sellers doing at the time)but I have since changed my evil ways after reading complaints in the GB&U about sellers asking for a percentage and or requiring the gift option for payment.

I have also paid by gift (without being asked) for inexpensive items & received payment by gift even though I didn't ask for it.
I considered it an act of kindness,not a way to cheat PP.

Sellers that constantly ask for a percentage and or gift option should know better,but there is no rule here against either so why should they stop if they don't have a conscience about it?
If there isn't a rule against it,it must be condoned right?

 

[pbcg]

I would not use the gift option, nor would I deal with anyone who asked me to do so for a purchase. It's dishonest.

This site should not promote dishonesty. Using the gift option should not be allowed.

I completely agree! :thumbup:

 

[Displaced Buckeye]

I don't think the forum should need to enforce these rules. As I said before, any time I see gift only or add fees, I move on.

 

[abarnhart]

I would say leave it, because I love reading about people who rip themselves off using it in TGTBTU.

Seriously, it is fundamentally dishonest and only saves a few bucks. Not worth the hassle. Banning it would have to reduce the midst workload some.

 

[richard thurman]

I say just don't use paypal at all. I send us postal money order. I can use paypal to send money but not to receive it.

 

[Lone_Wolfe]

I say just don't use paypal at all. I send us postal money order. I can use paypal to send money but not to receive it.

That's an easy way to get ripped off, just like using gift.

 

[dericdesmond]

That's an easy way to get ripped off, just like using gift.

IDK, using a federal made $ order and being a thieve is probably not a good combo then again Ive never dealt with the situation.

Point blank, accepting gift payment the way most do here is against paypals policy, ban it. I never request it but Id be a liar if I said ive not taken it, often times people send it without asking. Sometimes Im helping a friend buy a valuable knife at a show and in order to be paid for proxying, I dont really want to have to pay taxes since I myself exceed the paypal threshold and have to pay taxes at years end & am not making a cent on the deal.

I myself am gonna buy if the price is right so I could care less but with so many others who simply look the other way when they see the "net to me" "add xxx% for fees" is it really worth it? Losing potential sales over being prideful or too lazy to do a 3 second math equation is truly lame when you consider the potential butt hurt it creates within thoughs against it. A slight modification in your rule breaking ways and everyone will be 1 big happy family

 

[Ken44]

I would never use it, but still think it needs to be banned now.
Quit a few burned in this recent thread because of the gift option. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1109739-Concerns-re-ssbood-(David)

From viewing the poll it seems that most all would like to see the option done away with.
It wouldn't be hard to inforce, and other forums do it. It would protect many of our members.

Just like with the no comments in a sales thread rule years ago, people learned pretty quick once they started getting warnings and then infractions.
This would be much more easy to stop than that was, and it would be something that actually helps keep our members from being ripped off.

I know the sales mods have a tough job as is, but this is very important I feel. Maybe a new temporary mod could be made to check just this one thing until people learn not to do it. I don't want to do it, but if no one else will do it I'll volunteer.

 

[markksr]

Back to page 1...

 

[richard thurman]

I would never use it, but still think it needs to be banned now.
Quit a few burned in this recent thread because of the gift option. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1109739-Concerns-re-ssbood-(David)

From viewing the poll it seems that most all would like to see the option done away with.
It wouldn't be hard to inforce, and other forums do it. It would protect many of our members.

Just like with the no comments in a sales thread rule years ago, people learned pretty quick once they started getting warnings and then infractions.
This would be much more easy to stop than that was, and it would be something that actually helps keep our members from being ripped off.

I know the sales mods have a tough job as is, but this is very important I feel. Maybe a new temporary mod could be made to check just this one thing until people learn not to do it. I don't want to do it, but if no one else will do it I'll volunteer.

please how would you expect to enforce this ban?? the mods are over worked as it is in my view and now you want to put this on them too?? I think the person doing the deal needs to make up his own mind. but if you have another view then please tell me. I would love to here it.