Buyer pays PayPal fee ?
- Thread starter Red Island
- Start date
summoner12
Avid Member
I have had eBay end an auction before because I said that the buyer must pay the PayPal fee. I think they have a filter that scans your auction post.
To avoid this, if I feel the need, I will add a 'handling fee' that is a set cost. This covers the box, packing peanuts, packing paper and tape, which I get for free at work. It also covers my time and PayPal fees. But I would only do this if the 'profit' is marginal. I rarely sell things on eBay.... if I am, it's for someone else who doesn't have an account. And in that case they are paying me a percent of the 'winnings' and I want to maximize my cut... so... the buyer gets to eat the cost of doing business. I do disclose this clearly in the auction. Sometimes I even message the people who are 'winning' the auction just to make sure they are aware of the 'handling fee' in addition to the 'shipping' fees.
summoner12
Avid Member
LOL!
"cable TV for only $29.99 a month (+fees)"............. state fee, fed. fee, local fishing and game fee, tree hugging fee, 'watching TV fee', cable box rental fee, because we don't like you fee....
Chad hit this one on the nose - you can't say "buyer pays PayPal fees," according to their rules. You can and should work it into your price. If you're selling something for $100, you either sell it at $97 and deal with it, or you price it at $103 and look like a bad businessman and/or a nickel and dime hustler. It amazes me to see people selling something for "$400 plus PayPal fees." Then a week later when it's not selling, it's $200 plus PayPal fees." Like if the fees were that big of a deal, you wouldn't be dropping your price in half and still worrying about them.
Besides the PayPal policy, it just makes you look un-professional IMO to mention fees, unless they're major ones like shipping costs. You can stick in all the "extras" you want covered in your price, but your price should still be your price. Shipping extra? Sure.
Besides the PayPal policy, it just makes you look un-professional IMO to mention fees, unless they're major ones like shipping costs. You can stick in all the "extras" you want covered in your price, but your price should still be your price. Shipping extra? Sure.
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Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
I take most major credit cards and am charged a fee per transaction.
I have never considered tacking on a labeled surcharge for this.
As previously mentioned, if a seller takes only a bank check or money order, the buyer is going to pay the fee for that.
As a buyer, I have always added a bit extra when sending $$$ through paypal to cover those fees ... never had a seller expect it.
For a 3 % fee on occasional or rare purchases ... the thread is a bit silly?
-Brad
I have never considered tacking on a labeled surcharge for this.
As previously mentioned, if a seller takes only a bank check or money order, the buyer is going to pay the fee for that.
As a buyer, I have always added a bit extra when sending $$$ through paypal to cover those fees ... never had a seller expect it.
For a 3 % fee on occasional or rare purchases ... the thread is a bit silly?
-Brad
Syn
Avid Member
edit: WARNING: I am not really sure how to word what I'm trying to say.. so if you skip over this post completely I won't be offended. 
As a buyer, I'd like to add this:
When I see something cost more because of fees, I look the other way 90% of the time. I've come to learn that if the seller asks me to pay because of a fee for the service they themselves choose to use and do not offer another form to pay them by that has no fees, then I do not do business with them. HOWEVER, if they do offer another form to pay them by that does not charge a fee, then so be it. I think as a business that is trying to keep their customers, things like this should be waived.. not to mention it's against "the rules" to do so.
If you want to charge extra for "Shipping, handling, and everything else".. then go for it. But I personally see it as something that I do not exactly like. I'm really not sure how to phrase it, sorry.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to keep customers, don't nickel and dime them on something that you as a seller agreed to at the get go. When you signed up for paypal you knew there would be a fee.
Then again, I'm just a 16 year old, what do I know?
As a buyer, I'd like to add this:
When I see something cost more because of fees, I look the other way 90% of the time. I've come to learn that if the seller asks me to pay because of a fee for the service they themselves choose to use and do not offer another form to pay them by that has no fees, then I do not do business with them. HOWEVER, if they do offer another form to pay them by that does not charge a fee, then so be it. I think as a business that is trying to keep their customers, things like this should be waived.. not to mention it's against "the rules" to do so.
If you want to charge extra for "Shipping, handling, and everything else".. then go for it. But I personally see it as something that I do not exactly like. I'm really not sure how to phrase it, sorry.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, if you want to keep customers, don't nickel and dime them on something that you as a seller agreed to at the get go. When you signed up for paypal you knew there would be a fee.
Then again, I'm just a 16 year old, what do I know?
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summoner12
Avid Member
I sorta don't understand the whole not looking professional bit... I mean this is eBay. Yes people make a living on what they sell on eBay... but isn't it more of a 'Oh, I don't need this anymore' and your selling it sort of business forum? That is the type of auction I have no fear of tacking on a 'fee' for doing business. These types of sales are usually a bid type sale not a 'buy it now' fee. And when you are the buyer and you are bidding you should be aware of the other 'costs' in doing business. You don't just bid 10 dollars, win the auction and get upset that you have to pay to ship it and any other fee the person has decided to add.
As long as it is disclosed before hand I don't see the issue.
As long as it is disclosed before hand I don't see the issue.
serenitystarlite
Established Member
Paypal charges a fee if the buyer pays with their credit card. There is no fee charged for buyers who pay with their bank account or paypal balance. A simple way around the fee would just be to nicely ask the buyer to please pay using their bank account and not their credit card. There are fees involved because of the credit card, not the banks.
From the site:
"Free when the money comes from PayPal balance or bank account.
2.9% + $0.30 USD when the money comes from a debit or credit card or PayPal Credit (the sender decides who pays this fee)."
From the site:
"Free when the money comes from PayPal balance or bank account.
2.9% + $0.30 USD when the money comes from a debit or credit card or PayPal Credit (the sender decides who pays this fee)."
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
You are looking at money transfers.
With purchases, there is always a fee.
-Brad
Vegas Chad
Avid Member
Very much so, the only transaction that has seller fee NO fee is C-A-S-H. Buyer fee on that is the cost of a stamp. But really, how many people would stuff $197 in the mail rather than pay the $200 online.
summoner12
Avid Member
amen brotha
ChamOh
Established Member
Vegas Chad
Avid Member
Vote for me!
serenitystarlite
Established Member
Hmm I don't remember being charged a fee when I used to sell things on Ebay (as long as the buyer paid with their bank account), but that was a long time ago and maybe it has changed now. I haven't sold anything in years.
summoner12
Avid Member
I think it also has to do with the type of ParPal account you have.
