Paypal Buyer Protection Program question

1960NYGiants

I have a buyer that is claiming that because my item qualifies for the program he does not have to pay for postal insurance and is therefor refusing to make payment.

I say he's all wet. What do my fellow dark + grey siders say?

Thanks,

Gene

spoon

Don't have a clue on that one as I've never used the program.

But if I may borrow your thread to ask a (somewhat) similar question... what is Canadian Express Post? Is that registered? insured? or just a fancy sounding, expensive gimmick? Is it worth the extra cost?

JamminJ

<< <i> What do my fellow dark + grey siders say? >>



He's looking to screw you if there's trouble. I wouldn't ship unless he abides by whatever terms were in the auction regarding insurance.

gxseries

Geez... I don't get why people don't want to pay for insurance. I guess it would be best if you specify it from the beginning of the auction. I mean, if the item is worth less than 30US or something, meh, insurance might not be worth it, otherwise, it should be insured or registered.

Conder101

Sure, he can do that. But I would require a signed letter from him absolving you of any responsibility should anything happen to the coin once it is mailed because all settlements will be through Paypal buyer protection program. And that's a letter, not an just an email. What's silly is I think he will have to pay more for the buyers protection program than what the postal insurance would cost him. Of course it does protect him incase he pays and you just skip with he money. Paying for paostal insurance wouldn't do that. that means that even after he pays by paypal he's going to have to wait several days for shipping so the letter can arrive.

coinpictures

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the buyer is right. Insurance is for the SELLER's protection, not the buyer. Whether you charge extra for it, incorporate it into a flat-rate shipping and handling fee, or not charge for it at all, is up to you. A buyer (on Ebay) can choose not to insure merchandise, but it is still the seller's responsibility to make sure the shipment gets to them intact.

PayPal does not care if the package was insured or not. That's your problem, not the buyer's or PayPal's. If a buyer files a claim with PayPal, it does not matter one whit if he refused insurance or not. PayPal will find on the buyer's behalf.

Spend some time on the Seller Discussion Boards on Ebay (Linky). Insurance protects the seller, not the buyer (the buyer already has protections via PayPal, their credit card company, etc.)

Now as to whether you can use the fact that he is refusing to pay the EXACT fees specified in the auction, to not complete the transaction without reprecussions (to either party), I don't know.

-Dan

Refrema

A friend of mine had an experience a couple of months ago with a similar buyer. In the Auction he clearly stated that if insurance was not paid for by the buyer, that the coin would be shipped at the buyer’s risk. It was a $250 coin, and the buyer said that he did not want to pay for insurance.

My friend shipped the coin, and after a week the buyer said that he did not receive the coin, and filed a claim with Pay-Pal. Pay-Pal sent an e-mail requesting tracking numbers and the Insurance receipt. My friend answered that his auction clearly stated that if insurance was not paid for that shipping was at the buyer’s risk. The next day Pay-Pal deducted $250 from my friend’s account.

After several conversations with Pay-Pal, they have stated firmly that if the shipper can not prove shipping and provide a tracking number, that he is responsible for the shipment, and that the buyer would be refunded his payment.

Never ship without insurance if the value exceeds 20 to 30 dollars.

Good Luck,
Bob

danglen

We learned this lesson the hard way as well. We do not have to insure our shipments, but we do have to have an electronic tracking number. By using the USPS Shipping Assistant 2.2 free software, we get Delivery Confirmation for 13 cents, and it has saved our butt more than once. We use the Delivery Confirmation anytime the value of the coin is over $20.00. We have also instituted a self insurance program where we charge $1.25 for the first $100 of protection and a dollar per $100 thereafter, which we offer as an option to the customer. To date we have taken in over $2000 in premiums and have had one claim for a coin that cost us $3.20 . We have however been hit with a couple of credit card chargebacks, one through PayPal and another through our website, and there is nothing you can do about them. THEY approved the charge, we mailed the merchandise, the credit card turned out to be stolen, THEY take the money out of our account. Case Closed. Just a factor to take into consideration when you set your shipping and handling charges. It's a good idea to put in a little extra, because at some point you will need it!

coinpictures

Before I forget, as a related topic: for U.S. sellers, be aware that you have ZERO protection under PayPal when shipping internationally. PayPal does NOT consider shipping via Registered Mail to be proof of delivery. There are no international USPS options that PayPal accepts under its seller protection policy. Period.

Either be sure to insure the shipment for your own protection (although there are a surprisingly large number of countries that USPS does not offer insurance for, so you're out of luck), or do not accept PayPal on international transactions.

I have gone with the latter option for all my Ebay sales. I accept BidPay.Com and cash via registered mail from non-U.S. buyers, and that's it. I know it's a sore subject for many non-U.S. folks, but until PayPal offers reasonable seller protection for international transactions, I see no alternative.

Even if you or the buyer spring for the ridiculous $7.50 extra for Registered Mail (why the USPS charges multiples more for registered mail than other countries, I have NO idea), and have proof that it was delivered, PayPal will not honor this and find on the buyer's behalf.

A non-U.S. buyer can claim nonreceipt for any reason whatsoever, and you have no recourse with PayPal of any kind. It's license to commit fraud.

-Dan

gxseries

WOW, now that honestly sucks. Now that will explain why US sellers aren't that willing to accept Paypal from overseas... Paypal sure has some ridicious problems there...

MadMuffin

I agree. I still see more and more sellers stating that they no longer accept paypal, but if this is the reason I fully understand. I just find it amazing that it doesn't damage the company more that they leave the sellers with absolutely no rights. After all, the sellers keep Paypal alive.

Marcel