eBay sellers - do any of you use "PayPal account required"?

Russ

Not PayPal only, but PayPal account required. Bidders can still pay by other means, they just have to have a PayPal account. If you use this, what has been your experience with it? I've had some newbie deadbeats lately, and eBay claims that using this requirement reduces non-paying bidders.

Russ, NCNE

braddick

I started requiring it about last October and although my earlier problems with bidders was somewhat low, it is now nonexistent. You will need to answer the occasional question regarding "why?" from some bidders, but overall it is worth it to eliminate the hassles.

57loaded

i have a few times, doesn't it offer a wee bit more contact info? (verified...FWIW nowadays)

but then the buyer can play all sorts of games with the payment/item and buyer protection.

eBay/Paypal is becoming not a seller friendly place for small time, occasional sellers

BBQnBLUES

Why would Any of you _Demand this of your bidders ?

Those of us who don't like/use PayPal are passing over your auctions..

If you want to see higher prices realized, you need to rethink this restriction.

As a buyer (w/ 100%+ feedback) I'll spend my money with more flexible sellers..

Barndog

I've been a buyer on ebay for about nine years and had a PayPal account for as long as I can remember...yet, when I try to bid on auctions that say "PayPal account required" I get an error message that my account either doesn't exist or isn't linked. I figure there is a way to fix it, but also figure I am not the only one in this situation. So, in a nutshell, I'd say you would get fewer bidders this way. The ones that do bid have PayPal accounts linked, not saying they won't be deadbeats anyway.

rgCoinGuy

I just sell every once in a while, and probably do more buying than selling, but I do not use the paypal account required only because I would think it would restrict some potential bidders, and I really don't have much problem with non-payers. I do block from bidding anyone with two non-pays in the last month though.

VamGuy

<< <i>Not PayPal only, but PayPal account required. Bidders can still pay by other means, they just have to have a PayPal account. If you use this, what has been your experience with it? I've had some newbie deadbeats lately, and eBay claims that using this requirement reduces non-paying bidders.

Russ, NCNE >>

I don't use it, but that's just because I don't personally think that a bidder need a paypal account to bid on my auction items. It's too restrictive, and an unnecessary requirement in my opinion.

eBay may claim it reduces non-paying bidders, but they fail to tell you that this requirement would also reduce the total number of available bidders. Some of those newbies without a paypal account, would then stand no chance of ever even boosting your final sale price by being the underbidder.

Alternatively, I think it might be a reasonable idea for a store listing, or a BIN listing, but just not for a true auction. Remember, some of those newbie deadbeats could still wind up being a non-paying bidder with a paypal account. JMHO.

woodardcoin

I was told by friend of mine new sellers on Ebay are required to do this on all of there auctions . It might be a way to help ebay with bogus new sellers .

braddick

There may be fewer bids placed at the beginning of the auctions, but at a certain price point the coin will sell regardless of this restriction for about the same amount it would have otherwise.

For example, say you're selling a PCGS Reverse 2006 ASE in MS69. The coin sells routinely for $350.00 (that figure could be wrong, but for my example, we'll assume it is correct).

Without any restrictions on bidders it is likely to sell for the same closing amount as with the (slight) restriction of requiring a Paypal account to bid. There may be few bids placed in the .99c to $200.00 range, give or take, but the coin will not be 'given away' because of the Paypal requirement. For every bidder that would have placed a lower bid while the coin is in play, that now can't/won't (due to the requirement) there is another that can/will who has a Paypal account.

It is a genuine worry, no doubt when you first consider the implications, but I've not seen a decrease in overall selling price before or after the restriction went into place.

Remember too, the buyer can still pay via a check and/or money order (if you're set up to allow this).

luckyman

I don't use " Paypal required" on mine...don't see much advantage. I do ask that bidders with low feedback scores to communicate with me

before I'll accept their bid on my item. I don't see why a buyer would NOT want to use paypal. No charge to them, and paypal will help

protect both the buyer and the seller (sense of legitimacy and security) so I do accept paypal, but also postal money orders, and cashier's

checks if a buyer prefers. What usually hurts some sellers is using the "immediate payment required" in their listing. Reason being, I for

one use paypal e-check and that requirement precludes me from buying that "buy it now" item. I've read other people say that e-check isn't

as good as using a credit card (chargeback option with credit cards on fraudulent situations) but I have had e-check SAVE me from going

through all that hassle and been able to stop a fraudulent seller in his tracks and get my money put right back into my account thanks to

some very helpful associates at paypal customer service/security. So, I would advise people who list not to use "immediate payment

required" for us e-checkers who otherwise would be jumping on their sale item. (I have contacted sellers in the past that have removed that

requirement for me and I made the purchase) Well, that's my two cents worth....

Russ

<< <i>I was told by friend of mine new sellers on Ebay are required to do this on all of there auctions >>



Different issue.

Russ, NCNE

Russ

<< <i>I do ask that bidders with low feedback scores to communicate with me

before I'll accept their bid on my item. >>



How do you manage and monitor that?

Russ, NCNE

luckyman

It's a "message" to new buyers that I want to start communications before the sale's end. New buyers are welcome (have many sales

to first timers). It's not fool proof obviously, but having communication throughout a sale will help weed out some of the flakes. I go way

out of my way with buyers to help educate them on what will make their future experiences on Ebay and with me as a seller more rewarding

and make the transactions go smoother. After the sale I always communicate with the buyer on what they can expect from me...shipping

tracking numbers, etc. I also re-inforce the importance of positive feedback being exchanged (of course now they can only get positives)

I'm not a big time dealer, with less than 200 transactions, but my buyers always have come through for me, (even 0 feedbackers) because

I keep them involved in the process. I'm in a sales profession, so I know that a simple "thank you" after the sale is important. I wish all

sellers would remember that. I am always amazed whenever I buy something and never hear a thank you or get any shipping info until I

email them a day or two later....ok....that's my two cents worth.....

Russ

<< <i>I'm not a big time dealer, with less than 200 transactions >>



Okay, that explains how the policy can be workable. I have single weeks where I do that many sales. It simply isn't feasable for me to try it.

Russ, NCNE

luckyman

You do that many in a week? You work alone? You've GOT to have an assembly line going don't you? Don't you have someone in charge

of expediting (all communications, order coordinating, shipping and handling, problem solving, etc.) You should just be sitting in the

executive chair overseeing the empire. Let your assembly line workers do all the work. You should just be footing the bill for the Christmas

party at the end of the year for all your faithful employees.....

Russ

<< <i>You do that many in a week? >>



Some weeks, not all weeks. I average 50 to 75 listings a week.

Russ, NCNE

Mar327

We don't require buyers to have PayPal for a couple reasons. First, I think it does drive away more customers. We never know how many are turned away, but when you get a couple people asking questions who say they don't use PayPal, and ask if they can still bid, you realize there are more out there just passing it over without asking.

The other reason is that we actually prefer mail payments to avoid the PayPal fees, and offer free shipping on purchases totaling $450 or more if PayPal is not used. That seemed to be the amount near to where it breaks even. That incentive, however, is not used often.

There seems to be pros and cons with every decision you make in eBay. You can't please everyone, and no matter how you try to CYA, someone will still kick you there.

sanitarium1inmate

I don't do that many autions as Russ but I have done my share and have never used any sort of restrictions on mine. I just don't accept personal checks and don't mail out anything til the money is in my bank. Like Luckyman I believe all you need to get the most out of people would be good communication that will lead to future purchases from repeat customers.