PayPal & eBay: Should I pass the fees onto the buyer?
June 20th, 2009 | 
Author:
Dear eBay Queen;
I have a seller account on multiple selling venues. These include eBay, Etsy, eCrater, my own web store with shopping cart (own domain, web hosting, etc), eBid and Bonanzle.
I only joined Bonanzle about one month ago and haven’t made a sale yet. I’m having issues with Google Base feed working on my Bonanzle account. I’m certain I’ve set everything up correctly. It’s not the only Google Base account I have, but it’s the only one giving me a headache! I will be closing my eBid store at some point. It’s been almost one year and only two sales with barely any traffic.
I am telling you this, so you don’t think I am some kind of newbie. The real issue I have is eBay & PayPal fees. In comparison to other sites, my fees with eBay (and PayPal) are higher. I’ve spoke to eBay and PayPal about my problem. Both gave me the advice to build it into the starting price of my auction. That doesn’t seem too honest to me. My sister sells on the internet. She told me to think of these fees as overhead, and to build it into either my start price and/or my handling fee. She says I should “pass the overhead on to the buyer.” What is your opinion on this?
Noel
Dear Noel;
I am really proud of you for venturing out and trying other sites and even your own web store. Bearing in mind your problem with Google Base and Bonazle, I would delete that Google Base entry and re-try.
If you had a bricks and mortar store on Main Street, how would you pay for your rent, electricity, employees and credit card fees? I’m sure you would build that into the price of your product. This is what your sister and eBay is advising you to do now. Just think of those fees as overhead and build it into the starting price of your items. Truly this is what storefront businesses do. You should not consider that dishonest.
No matter where you sell, there will be costs associated with selling (ie. listing fees, final value fees, payment processing fees, etc). For me, eBay is still a viable venue since it gets lots of traffic and I’m getting consistent sales. Is eBay still that way for you?
Dear eBay Queen;
I have had a considerable amount of money built up in my PayPal account. I saw that I could transfer the money to my bank account, and I am wondering if it really only takes 3-4 days like they say?
Mr. Polk
Dear Mr. Polk
It is very easy to move your money from your PayPal account to your bank account. Do you have a bank account linked to your to your PayPal? If not, you will want to do this first.
- Sign in to your account.
- Click "Withdraw Money." When you choose to withdraw money you will be offered a few ways of doing so. All means of withdrawal will cost you money in PayPal fees except for the option to transfer to your bank account. The transfer money service is free. Choose the option to transfer money to your linked account.
- Enter the dollar amount of the transfer you wish to make. The dollar amount has to be less then or equal to the money that you have available in your PayPal account and hit enter. I should take about 2-3 days for the money to be in your account.
Another option for you would be to request a PayPal Debt Card. You will be able to take the cash out of with your PayPal ATM and then deposit it in your bank account. You can do this by logging into your PayPal account and click on Add Debit Card or calling PayPal: 888-215-5506
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 170341631729 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). Remember Strawberry Shortcake? Not the kind you eat, but the doll? She and her friends are as popular as ever! Strawberry Shortcake Doll Peach Blush Sold $590.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170341631729
Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.
Posted in General eBay Help, PayPal | 
Tags: bonanzle, ecrater, etsy, fees, helpw with fees, how to withdraw money out of your PayPal account, PayPal
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