seller doesn’t take paypal

Seller Doesn’t Accept PayPal? and Shipping to Italy

September 19th, 2006 |

Author: admin

Dear eBay Queen;

I recently bought a lot of playing cards from a seller on eBay . I was shocked the seller did not accept Paypal. He only took money orders. When I asked him why he didn’t accept Paypal, he said it was because of the fees.

I thought all sellers were required to accept Paypal. What do you think of sellers not accepting Paypal? Do you think that discourages people from bidding on a their auctions?

Beth; Ottawa

Dear Beth;

Paypal is owned by eBay, but eBay does not require a seller to use them. It is completely up to the seller, whether or not they will accept it. Many times a seller will not accept PayPal due to the fees, or due to a bad experience in the past.

As a buyer, I will not buy from a seller, unless they accept PayPal. I like to pay for my items immediately; and there is no waiting for the mail to deliver my money order or check. Paypal also has a great buyer protection policy.

As a seller, I think PayPal is a necessary evil. I don’t always agree with their policies or fee structure, but I would guess that 90% of my transactions are paid for through PayPal. I believe it would hurt my business if I didn’t accept them as one of my payment options.

If you run across a seller that does not accept your preferred method of payment, it never hurts to ask. If they say no, you can always move on to the next one, who probably will be happy to take your money, Paypal fees and all!

Dear eBay Queen;

I bought an unusual sculpture at Goodwill for a dollar. It sold last night for $1590.00. I was so excited, I could hardly stand it. I sent out my invoice last night, including shipping, and insurance. The buyer emailed me back this morning to let me know she wanted the sculpture shipped to her in France. She also asked me to only declare $100.00 of the value of the sculpture on the customs form, and requested no insurance on the box. I am very uncomfortable lying on the customs form. What do you think I should do?

Nancy Moore

Dear Nancy;

Congratulations on the EXCELLENT SALE! Not a bad profit for one day’s work! I would be very concerned to send a $1590.00 breakable item to another country without insurance. I also would be upset if an international bidder asked me to lie on a customs form.

The worst-case scenario for this vase going to France, would be if your buyer paid with Paypal, and you shipped it out without a traceable method of shipping, with no insurance. If the vase breaks, or the buyer says it never arrived, they can file for their funds back under the “buyer protection policy”. Without a tracking number and signature confirmation (on items over $200.00), the buyer will be given back the money they paid you.

Lying on a customs form can get you and your buyer in big trouble. The correct value of each item is required on customs forms. The value of the item helps determine how much duty and taxes should be paid. Some countries will start fining the addressee when the declared value is not correct. http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200608221359082.html

If this were my sale, I would send your bidder the link above, and a new invoice. Make sure your shipping quote only comes from providers that use tracking and signature confirmation. UPS and FEDEX will always have tracking and signature confirmation. USPS (United States Postal Service) only offers signature and tracking overseas when you select Global Express Guaranteed. All of these services cost a bit more, but will protect you and the buyer in the long run. If your buyer still insists on “paying” by her rules, I would offer your vase to the second highest bidder.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 320024392899 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page) Halloween is coming. How about a unique costume? Star Wars Boba Fett Fan Made Costume Sold 305.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320024392899

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 .