Pay Pal Me Crazy

[Jazzbassman23]

Okay, sitting around waiting to go to the in-laws for dinner, so I decide to troll eBay for anything EBMM. I've got money I want to spend, but I can't spend it because it seems every other listing is Pay Pal only. Is it just me or don't these people realize they're eliminating a significant portion of the buying market by doing this. Don't try to convince me of PP's merits; it's not for me.

Oh yeah, merry Christmas.

Damn, that Sterling was nice. Oh well.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Have you tried emailing the seller to see if they'd accept another form of payment?

 

[RobertB]

Hi JBM,

Yep, it's a PayPal world on Ebay these days. After all, PayPal is an Ebay company, designed to complement Ebay like PB&J. And yes, I think people do realize that they're eliminating many with "PayPal only" policies. In my view, there are 2 main parts to it - a "pre-req" & a benefit, from the seller's perspective.

The pre-req is related to the basic economic principles of supply & demand. Usually in the cases where the seller accepts paypal only, it's an item for which he/she already knows that the demand is strong enough that he/she can "safely" do that & still get their item sold easily, and therefore reap the benefits - instant payment, convenience & seller security, which are understandably very attractive as a seller.

Regarding seller security specifically, while it's of course not a new concept, it takes a somewhat unique form in the ebay/paypal model. From the seller's perspective, if you're a PayPal user with "verified" status and a few smooth transactions under your belt ... that goes a long way, in terms of assurance that you're not going to "flake" or worse on the deal. So in that sense, I think it's often the case that not only do the sellers REALIZE they're eliminating non-payPal buyers, but they're in fact doing it intentionally. But again, the "pre-req" of the demand for the item has to be satisfied first. When it's not, you'll see sellers opening it up to the other trustworthy, but non-PP-using buyers out there.

Merry Christmas,
Robert

 

[RobertB]

Another option is to apply for a PayPal Buyer Credit account. Then you set up & fund your PayPal account with that, without ever having to link your PP account to your bank account or otherwise involve your bank account at all. In fact, you can do that with any major credit card -not just the PP Buyer Credit account. That then affords you the "preferred buyer" status that PP members seem to be enjoying these days on Ebay.

Later,
Robert

 

[the unrepentant]

I like using paypal, it's fast and i don't lose any money, only the seller. I bought a bass off ebay with cheque the other week, took the best part of 3 weeks between clicking buy and actually recieving the bass, so i can see it's upside.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I have emailed sellers several times and usually they agree to accept a USPS MO.

Robert, that all makes a lot of sense. I don't like it, but I understand.

 

[Aussie Mark]

If you have a philosophical opposition to Paypal and credit cards I'd say you're in the minority, and the seller is not reducing their potential market very much at all. It's 2007 after all.

 

[oli@bass]

I recently had a very unpleasant experience with PayPal: They charge a lot more than banks for internationl transactions, esp. if done from credit cards. Thus, I'd prefer a direct money transfer.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Mark, it's not so much that I'm philosophically opposed to PayPal as much as it is that I'm not convinced they take care of problems in a satisfactory manner. I'm sure the vast majority of users experience smooth transactions, but I'm very reluctant to take on another account that requires more personal financial information. And a quick Google search reveals many PP horror stories. Yes, I do use credit cards all the time to make online purchases (waiting on a 6-string at present), but my experience with credit card companies has been that they resolve problems quickly and painlessly. PayPal has not yet convinced me, and anyone who won't take a USPS money order, I know, doesn't apply to you , causes me to beware.

Dave

 

[Bubba Love]

If you have a philosophical opposition to Paypal and credit cards I'd say you're in the minority, and the seller is not reducing their potential market very much at all. It's 2007 after all.

It's true. IMO the benefits of Paypal outweigh the risks, and the majority of ebay users feel the same way. I've had a couple of instances where sellers have flaked out and paypal has been instrumental in securing a refund. Those who have bad experiences are always going to be put off but they have to accept that they are in the minority and their grievances are not going to change the way people do business on ebay.

If it makes you feel better I'm sticking a jazz on ebay today, paypal prefered but I will also accept personal cheques. Can anyone illustrate to me how a UPS money order works, and the protection for buyers and sellers?

 

[Frankie5Angels]

Well, actually people that use PayPal are the majority on eBay. People that don't are in the minority.

I've been using PayPal on eBay since they first started without a problem. More than 300 transactions. They're not perfect and can be frustrating at times, but when it works, it works well.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

It's true. IMO the benefits of Paypal outweigh the risks, and the majority of ebay users feel the same way. I've had a couple of instances where sellers have flaked out and paypal has been instrumental in securing a refund. Those who have bad experiences are always going to be put off but they have to accept that they are in the minority and their grievances are not going to change the way people do business on ebay.

If it makes you feel better I'm sticking a jazz on ebay today, paypal prefered but I will also accept personal cheques. Can anyone illustrate to me how a UPS money order works, and the protection for buyers and sellers?

USPS, as in the Postal Service. If I mail you a USPS money order and you rip me off, it's mail fraud, and they are very vigilant about going after the ripoff artists.

And I definitely know I'm in the minority re: PayPal. However, I find it hard to believe there aren't a lot more like me out there. 50+ w/disposable income who prefers to pay and be paid directly rather than using a go between.

 

[Straight UP]

I was one who said he would never use Pay-Pal or any computer bank card..
Guess what I use a debit card every day swipe it here there and everywhere..
The Pay-Pal account funded by my own card gets used when I bring stuff in from China or buy on Flea Bay.. No personal credit information goes to the seller..and is just a click for me away to pay, fast and easy..

 

[silverburst]

The USPS inspectors are not vigilant about pursuing rip-off artists, unless they are big fish and can result in a conviction that makes them look good. A one-time con or one that isn't going for alot of money is not going to get their blood boiling.

Don't put too much faith in a money order.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Food for thought. I've certainly learned to consider the collected wisdom of this forum. Just don't try to talk me into Bongo 5H; it's HH all the way.

 

[INMT]

Remember this, sellers who accepts paypay usally accept a credit card payment. So you can pay like you would at any online store with one of your normal credit cards.
USPS actually go after someone with a small time mail fraud offence (even $3000 is small time to them) ...yeah not going to happen unless you call them everyday and get a lawyer to write them a letter telling them your not going to drop it. That "letter" will cost you about $120. 00 or more.

 

[RobertB]

Just don't try to talk me into Bongo 5H; it's HH all the way.

haha ...

 

[Aussie Mark]

Mark, it's not so much that I'm philosophically opposed to PayPal as much as it is that I'm not convinced they take care of problems in a satisfactory manner. I'm sure the vast majority of users experience smooth transactions, but I'm very reluctant to take on another account that requires more personal financial information. And a quick Google search reveals many PP horror stories. Yes, I do use credit cards all the time to make online purchases (waiting on a 6-string at present), but my experience with credit card companies has been that they resolve problems quickly and painlessly. PayPal has not yet convinced me, and anyone who won't take a USPS money order, I know, doesn't apply to you , causes me to beware.

Dave

There's lots of BS on the web, so I prefer to make my decisions based on first hand information or personal experience. I've had two first class customer service responses from Paypal in situations I have been involved with. In one case, my eBay and Paypal accounts were hacked simulataneously (my bad for using the same password for each) and the hacker spent up big using my Paypal account. Paypal sorted it all out in a matter of minutes, over the phone, and it didn't cost me a cent. The other situation involved the purchase of my 30th Anniversary Stingray, and if it wasn't for Paypal putting a hold on the seller's account I believe I never would have received that bass. In short, my experiences with Paypal customer service have been first rate.

Sure, for sellers there are fees, but any form of payment involves fees of some sort, whether you're cashing a bank cheque, postal order or Western Union wire. The beauty of Paypal for a seller is that you don't have to burn gas and time going to a bank or post office to get your money. If you factor in a gallon of gas and an hour of your personal time each time you have to do that, Paypal fees are more than reasonable.

 

[tkarter]

And of course a Bongo 5 H is the best of all the bongo configurations too.

tk