Help with Ebay - Selling big ticket item but don't want to pay credit card fee.

[mnbrowns]

At this time I do accept credit cards via Paypal but don't want to pay a huge fee on a big-ticket item.
I'm not an Ebay expert and would like suggestions on listing an item on Ebay without getting stuck paying the credit card fee.
Of course the more I can make/save, the more I can spend on Disney.

[DMRick]

I prefer taking cc because I think I get higher bids on my big ticket items. I also think I get more bids from people who weren't really thinking of bidding, but heck, it's only paper money!

That said, you can put in your auction that you accept money order/checks only. You may end up with less money in the total, but you won't pay Paypal fees, and you never have to worry about a charge back.

[DianeV]

The only thing I could suggest is not taking Paypal on the item. There is really no other way as you are not allowed to ask the buyer to pay the fees. Or you could add a handling fee that would cover approximately the fees but you cant say so..

You could check into bidpay (I think its called auctionpayments.com now) the buyer can still use a credit card but they pay the fee for a Western Union money order to be sent to you.

[mnbrowns]

I'm not too familiar with Bidpay etc. Are a lot of Ebayers using that service now? Do they have to become members to make a payment?

[Lewisc]

ITA. Credit card also gives the buyer a level or protection against fraud. I wouldn't pay for a big ticket item with a money order from a traditional internet dealer let alone from an e-bay seller. DMRick is right, cc should get you more bids and higher bids.

Originally posted by DMRick
I prefer taking cc because I think I get higher bids on my big ticket items. I also think I get more bids from people who weren't really thinking of bidding, but heck, it's only paper money!

[DianeV]

Buyer doesnt have to really sign up to use bidpay. They give their mailing and credit card info and your info and pay the fee and thats it. You could mention that you will take credit cards with bidpay

[mnbrowns]

Thanks so much for all of your advice. I suppose I should stick with Paypal since most buyers have it and feel safe with it. I just have to assume I'm making more than I would with any other payment and that it's covering my credit card fee.

[JKanownik]

You can specify that the buyer of your item be Paypal verified and pay via a Paypal funds transfer to avoid fees, but you have to have a personal account to do so.

The way it works is this: the buyer transfers money from their bank account to their Paypal account (if they don't already have enough money in their account to cover the auction). Once the money has cleared into their account they just have to select "Paypal Funds" as their form of payment when paying you.

-DH

[tinaluis]

JKanownik,
Just an FYI,
Once you accept credit cards through Paypal, you are charged for every payment, even if a payment is made with existing Paypal funds.

[JKanownik]

Originally posted by tinaluis
JKanownik,
Just an FYI,
Once you accept credit cards through Paypal, you are charged for every payment, even if a payment is made with existing Paypal funds.

Which is why I specified it had to be a personal account. Personal accounts can't take credit card payments. If you already have a business or premier account you could set up a separate personal account as long as you had a different bank account to tie it into.

-DH

[Cheshire Figment]

Last year we sold a car on eBay for over $3,000. We put in the ad that we would accept no more than a $500 down payment via PayPal, and the remainder paid with "certified" funds (cash, cashier's check, money orders, etc.) when the person came to get the car (We made purchaser fully responsible for transportation).

We also asked for people to provide a phone nmber by e-mail prior to bidding, so I was able to talk further with them about the car. Also, it helps that it was listed under my wife's ID, with a rating of about 700.

The person who bought it lived about 250 miles away. He drove down on a pre-arranged day with a trailer. He inspec ted the car, saw that it was as described. We went to my bank. He had three $1,000 bank money orders plus th remainder in cash. My bank looked up the phone number for his bank, contacted his bank, and verified that the money orders were valid. I Then deposited the money, gave him the title papers, and helped him load the car on the trailer.

[missypie]

DH and I buy a lot on Ebay, but I won't bid on anything where Paypal is not accepted.

[Luv2Roam]

Paypal can be a pain, but I think it is the safest way for both. I would just include some fee, as someone suggested, to cover that expense.
I think with Bidpay the buyer has to pay some ridiculous fee. I looked into it once, and it has been some time ago.
It was an Ebay seller who only accepted Bidpay. Once I saw the fee I would be paying as the buyer, I passed on the auction entirely.
And agree, at least by using a credit card a seller feels protected.
I have been ripped off (as a buyer) once with a money order transaction and wouldn't make that mistake again. (Yahoo Auctions)
The only Ebay sale I was stiffed on, as a buyer, I was stupid enough to trust the person and paid direct from my checking account.
NEVER would I do that again on any auction. There is no recourse, other than through the police, if the seller does not send the item. (Which is what happened in my case.)
Even though they went to the Gray Bar Hotel for scamming dozens of other buyers, that didn't help me get any funds back.

[mnbrowns]

Wow, what great information and advice. I guess I'll stick with Paypal and just know I'd never make anything on the darn thing if it wasn't for Ebay in the first place.
I sure wish I was the one who established Paypal. Just think of all the WDW visits we could afford.:earseek: