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Does eBay Allow A Surcharge For Using PayPal??


I was just looking at a coin on eBay with a BIN of $3000.

In the description, the seller wrote the following...

"If the winning bidder opts to utilize PAYPAL, 3% of the purchase price must be added for this service. "

In this case it would be an extra $90.00 that eBay gets
no part of.

Do they allow that??

~


"America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

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    No, it is a violation of terms of service.
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    JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154
    No, but they do allow a discount for cash, check etc.
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
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    LALASD4LALASD4 Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭
    NO, the listing would be ended if Ebay saw that.
    Coin Collector, Chicken Owner, Licensed Tax Preparer & Insurance Broker/Agent.
    San Diego, CA


    image
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    mrpaseomrpaseo Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭
    I knew that but what if you put, S/H/I as 95 dollars, with a 90 dollar discount if you paid with Cash, MO, Check?

    Would that work?

    image
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    dthigpendthigpen Posts: 3,932 ✭✭


    << <i>I knew that but what if you put, S/H/I as 95 dollars, with a 90 dollar discount if you paid with Cash, MO, Check?

    Would that work?

    image >>



    No, that's against Ebay rules as well. Excessive shipping charges to evade fees.
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    mrpaseomrpaseo Posts: 4,753 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>I knew that but what if you put, S/H/I as 95 dollars, with a 90 dollar discount if you paid with Cash, MO, Check?

    Would that work?

    image >>



    No, that's against Ebay rules as well. Excessive shipping charges to evade fees. >>



    Thanks, I decided long ago to just take it in the ass on the fees image I would rather be known as the honest broker trying to make it than a Lawyer looking for loopholes.

    Thanks Thiggy,
    Ray
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    flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭
    The auction.

    The policy.

    If you're feeling vigilant, you can click on the "Report" link at the bottom of that page to nail the guy.
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    LALASD4LALASD4 Posts: 3,602 ✭✭✭
    On that auction, it says PCGS was the first grading company, I thought ANACS came way before PCGS.image
    Coin Collector, Chicken Owner, Licensed Tax Preparer & Insurance Broker/Agent.
    San Diego, CA


    image
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    MisterBungleMisterBungle Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭

    Yeah Bob, that's the one, but I didn't link it
    since I didn't know for sure.

    ~


    "America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

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    dthigpendthigpen Posts: 3,932 ✭✭
    As an aside, that's a very nice coin.
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭
    Cool! I'm protected by PayPal for up to $200 on a $2600+ coin!

    And check out the section on the return policy:

    Seller's return policy:
    Item must be returned within: 7 Days
    Refund will be given as: Money Back
    Return Policy Details: Their [sic] is no return for this item

    image
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    sweetwillietsweetwilliet Posts: 2,316 ✭✭✭
    I was looking at that auction last night and thought the same thing, that it was against ebay policy, but if not reported, it will fly under the radar.
    Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
    Will’sProoflikes
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    MisterBungleMisterBungle Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭

    "As an aside, that's a very nice coin. "

    He also has a 'no return' policy.

    ~


    "America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

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    PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 47,530 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>On that auction, it says PCGS was the first grading company, I thought ANACS came way before PCGS.image >>



    You are correct. PCGS started in 1986 while ANACS was around since the early 70's. PCGS wasn't the first slabbing company either but they were the first slabbing company to receive wide acceptance.


    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

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    66Tbird66Tbird Posts: 2,858 ✭✭✭
    Can't use cash as an option either. JFYI
    Need something designed and 3D printed?
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    << <i>The auction.

    The policy.

    If you're feeling vigilant, you can click on the "Report" link at the bottom of that page to nail the guy. >>



    That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself.
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself. >>

    The same can be said for tax evasion.

    No, I'm not equating breaking eBay's rules with tax evasion; one's a criminal matter and one will (at worst) get you booted from eBay. But it's the same principle -- knowingly breaking the rules to save a little "hard earned money."

    For a $3,000 item I believe the fees would be less than $100. Yeah, not chump change, but less than a couple hundred.
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    << <i>That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself. >>



    No, it's not wrong. PayPal is providing a service and has rules. If you don't want to play by the rules, then don't accept PayPal. When you signed up to accept PayPal you agreed to play by the rules!
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    flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself. >>

    He should raise the BIN, then. Not tack on a surcharge.

    It's eBay's sandbox, eBay's rules. If you don't like it, go play somewhere else.
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    In this case the seller should offer a discount for checks, bank checks or a money order. Or charge a few more bucks for "shipping and handling" as long as it doesnt break FeeBays "reasonable standards" for shipping costs.

    cheers
    Leo
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    BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭
    He says "immediate payment required", so you have to use paypal, right?-----------------BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭


    << <i>He says "immediate payment required", so you have to use paypal, right?-----------------BigE >>

    Yes. Good catch.

    http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/immediatepayment-buyer.html

    Paying for items using Immediate Payments requires you to pay for the item in order to win it (unlike other cases in which you win on eBay first, then pay for the item). You pay through PayPal with a credit card or with other PayPal funds (including a PayPal balance or a bank account).

    To use Immediate Payments, you need to:
    Pay first to win the item
    Pay with PayPal
    Be aware that other members could win the item first if that other member pays first.


    In other words, you MUST use PayPal, and "if" you use PayPal you pay another 3%. This crosses the line into *blatant* fee avoidance, IMO.
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    AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 25,035 ✭✭✭✭✭
    It's my understanding that it's against US law to add fees to a charge card (MC, Visa,etc).
    Has nothing to do with Paypal but as a merchant and someone that accepts charge cards
    you cannot add fees period. That is not the case in England and some other european
    countries. There you can legally add fees.
    He need to just raise his BIN by what he feels is fair and leave it up to the buyer to determine
    if that's the case.
    bob
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭


    << <i>It's my understanding that it's against US law to add fees to a charge card (MC, Visa,etc). >>

    There is no federal law, but a few states (at least 10) ban the practice.

    In any event, the merchant's agreement with the credit card companies generally always prohibit them from surcharging for credit card use with or without a federal law.
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    TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,099 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>The auction.

    The policy.

    If you're feeling vigilant, you can click on the "Report" link at the bottom of that page to nail the guy. >>



    That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself. >>



    Its FEE AVOIDANCE, plain and simple, If I gotta pay PayPal Fees as a seller, so should they......

    TorinoCobra71



    image
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    flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>It's my understanding that it's against US law to add fees to a charge card (MC, Visa,etc). >>

    There is no federal law, but a few states (at least 10) ban the practice. >>

    Including California, where eBay and PayPal operate.

    So, in sum:

    1) It's against eBay's and PayPal's policy;
    2) It's against Visa's and Mastercard's merchant agreement; and
    3) It's against California state law

    In short, don't do it image.
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    FairlanemanFairlaneman Posts: 10,428 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A seller cannot add a little fee but PayPal, IE Ebay, sure in the heck takes a cut of your shipping charge. Whats up with that ?

    That is my only rant about PayPal.

    Ken
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭


    << <i>A seller cannot add a little fee but PayPal, IE Ebay, sure in the heck takes a cut of your shipping charge. Whats up with that ? >>

    Simple. For all practical intents and purposes, eBay is a natural monopoly, and they can do these things because they can. Where else are you going to go?

    I agree that taking a cut of shipping does suck. Just like it sucks when you buy something in-state and you have to pay tax on the shipping.
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    cho10cho10 Posts: 391 ✭✭


    << <i>It's my understanding that it's against US law to add fees to a charge card (MC, Visa,etc). Has nothing to do with Paypal but as a merchant and someone that accepts charge cards you cannot add fees period. That is not the case in England and some other european countries. There you can legally add fees. He need to just raise his BIN by what he feels is fair and leave it up to the buyer to determine if that's the case. bob >>



    Most European countries don-t have specific laws relating to adding a surcharge to a bill that gets paid using a credit card.
    All the major credit card companies have clauses in bold print for merchants that prohibit surcharges to cover credit card fees.
    The only exception is during semi annual sales when many merchants refuse credit cards entirely in which case buyers can "offer" to pay using a credit card and having 2% or 3% or whatever "added".
    A lot of people seem to think that sales should be made with no overheads. Any merchant will incur costs to bring his/her goods to market. The same holds true for collectors selling their duplicates. I often read about people that get annoyed because a payment does not get made in 24 hours and others that complain about fees. There will always be a certain additional costs that you have to put up with when doing business. It's a fact of life. The only thing one can do is try to keep costs low but there is no way you can eliminate costs entirely.
    cho10

    Collecting since the 1980's
    Morgan Dollars Circ. Strikes
    - Basic Set - Varieties - Prooflike Basic Set - Date Set
    - Carson City - Early S Mint Short Set - Mintmark Type Set
    Morgan Dollars Proof
    - Basic Set - Varieties
    Peace Circ.
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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭
    << A seller cannot add a little fee but PayPal, IE Ebay, sure in the heck takes a cut of your shipping charge. Whats up with that ? >>

    I don't believe that Bay takes a cut from shipping, but I'm sure PayPal does. I currently have an item up on eBay thats at $1000 for which I will take PayPal. Registered shipping is $15. If the buyer can pay by non CC PayPal I'll give him free shipping. I'd rather share the savings with a buyer than give exorbitant fees to PayPal.
    theknowitalltroll;
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    what we need is google to start an auction service... right now ebay has no competition so they can get away with banning use of google checkout, charging higher fees, and the like. Competition is a good thing.
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    IrishMikeIrishMike Posts: 7,737 ✭✭✭
    Visa and Mastercard do not allow surcharges period.
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    MisterBungleMisterBungle Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭

    Oops!! Somebody reported him.

    The auction is no longer up.

    ~


    "America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

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    goose3goose3 Posts: 11,471 ✭✭✭
    probably clackmass.image
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    GeomanGeoman Posts: 2,491 ✭✭✭
    In this case it would be an extra $90.00 that eBay gets no part of.....

    Actually, since eBay owns Paypal, they DO get the money! image
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    << <i>

    << <i>That just frikin wrong, why report the guy. PayPal credit card fees for $3K items are a couple of hundred bucks so what if they guy is trying to keep some of his hard earned money for himself. >>

    He should raise the BIN, then. Not tack on a surcharge.
    It's eBay's sandbox, eBay's rules. If you don't like it, go play somewhere else. >>



    Whatever goody two shoes, you had better play by all the rules too. What should have be done, as a decent person would do, is to warn him that he is violating policy and it would be in his best interest to play by the rules. Reporting him is weak and shows a vital lack of the moral fiber we supposedly hold dear in this country, so much for true Christian values. Reporting your neighbors, what's next family? Frikin safety Nazi garbage, have a sense of decency and cut people a break once in a while. Who knows maybe it will come back to you. There is so much real garbage on Ebay, why don't you spend some time looking them up.

    BTW - It is against Visa and Mastercard policy to charge extra for using credit cards. You can have your ability to accept credit cards revoked by doing so (I use to work for Visa). The vast majority of small business people are unaware of the policy and need to simply be told about it. They usually then comply with the rule.

    What did happen to decency in our country?

    BTW the fee would not be, as I stated a couple of hundred, it would be close to $90.
    $4,218.50 USD Fee -$122.64 USD $4,095.86 USD
    $2,270.50 USD Fee -$66.14 USD $2,204.36 USD
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    MisterBungleMisterBungle Posts: 2,308 ✭✭✭

    I didn't have any part in this auction being taken
    down, other than asking the original question,
    where I didn't identify the seller.

    If I were going to do anything about the auction,
    which I wasn't, I would have contacted the seller
    and informed him of his error. He had no bids in
    at the time, so he could have removed the offending
    statement and left the auction up.

    His feedback was only 45, and most of that was
    from him being a buyer, so I'm sure he just didn't
    know.

    It may end up being better for him in the long run
    anyway, because now he can either take PayPal off, or
    add $90.00 to the BIN price to cover the fees he
    obviously doesn't want to pay.

    ~


    "America suffers today from too much pluribus and not enough unum.".....Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

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    storm888storm888 Posts: 11,701 ✭✭✭
    I never report that particular type of TOS violation. I do report counterfeits,
    stolen pics, and apparent hijacked-accounts.

    However, it can be risky to offer a good faith warning to an errant
    seller. If you warn them - and their listing is subsequently removed -
    they may wrongly think that YOU reported them.

    Lots of do-gooders have had all of their BINs wiped out as payback
    for trying to help someone.
    Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
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    JcarneyJcarney Posts: 3,154


    << <i>On that auction, it says PCGS was the first grading company, I thought ANACS came way before PCGS.image >>



    So did ACG. image
    “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin


    My icon IS my coin. It is a gem 1949 FBL Franklin.
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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Lots of do-gooders have had all of their BINs wiped out as payback >>



    If you set up your BIN's the way you are supposed to, it will be hard for anyone to "wipe it out" without winning the auction.
    theknowitalltroll;
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    flaminioflaminio Posts: 5,664 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Whatever goody two shoes, you had better play by all the rules too. >>

    Or... what? Was that a threat?

    << <i>What should have be done, as a decent person would do, is to warn him that he is violating policy and it would be in his best interest to play by the rules. >>

    You know what usually happens in such cases? A big fat "fark you" back. Plus, now you've outted yourself as a malcontent. No, thanks, I don't need that headache.

    << <i>Reporting him is weak and shows a vital lack of the moral fiber we supposedly hold dear in this country, so much for true Christian values. >>

    Well, obviously, I am not a Christian, but for the record, I did not report him. I just don't care that much.
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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I did not report him. I just don't care that much. >>



    Me either. In fact I don't recall ever reporting anyone to eBay; I'm not their internet cop.
    theknowitalltroll;
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    ziggy29ziggy29 Posts: 18,669 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Me either. In fact I don't recall ever reporting anyone to eBay; I'm not their internet cop. >>

    I report obvious frauds and hijacked accounts. I leave this type of action to others.
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    au58au58 Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭
    A bidder who was truly interested in this coin should recognize that things like surcharges, immediate payments, etc. are all negotiable terms that, if presented to the seller with counter positions, could probably be neutralized, often to a competitive bidder's advantage.
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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I report obvious frauds and hijacked accounts. I leave this type of action to others. >>



    I would report too if I found them. I don't spend enough "quality time" on eBay I guess. image
    theknowitalltroll;
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    coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,510 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i><< A seller cannot add a little fee but PayPal, IE Ebay, sure in the heck takes a cut of your shipping charge. Whats up with that ? >>

    I don't believe that Bay takes a cut from shipping, but I'm sure PayPal does. I currently have an item up on eBay thats at $1000 for which I will take PayPal. Registered shipping is $15. If the buyer can pay by non CC PeePal I'll give him free shipping. I'd rather share the savings with a buyer than give exorbitant fees to PayPal. >>


    Too bad the nitwit didn't research his Paypal terms of service a little more thoroughly. IIRC, he could have specified acceptance of e-check method of Payenemy payment only. With a merchant account, his only cost would have been a flat $5.00 fee per transaction, providing he could consider himself patient enough to wait the 10 or so calendar days that Payenemy uses the float on his money, which in effect should be declared unlawful as well.

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.american-legacy-coins.com

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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭
    When you agree to accept PayPal on eBay you must accept ALL forms of payment, at least for personal and premier accounts. You can also have both a personal and a premier account so if the buyer can pay from other than a credit card you should be able to receive his payment into your personal account.
    theknowitalltroll;
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    mrpotatoheaddmrpotatoheadd Posts: 7,576 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Too bad the nitwit didn't research his Paypal terms of service a little more thoroughly. IIRC, he could have specified acceptance of e-check method of Payenemy payment only. >>

    "Sellers who offer PayPal as a payment option in their eBay listings (either via logos or through text in the item description) must accept card funded payments."

    PayPal Payments Policy
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    RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭


    << <i><< Lots of do-gooders have had all of their BINs wiped out as payback >>

    If you set up your BIN's the way you are supposed to, it will be hard for anyone to "wipe it out" without winning the auction. >>



    Unless the seller has a reserve, any bid automatically nukes the BIN.

    Russ, NCNE
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    BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,625 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Unless the seller has a reserve, any bid automatically nukes the BIN. >>



    Yup, but you have a highly desireable item that you expect to sell for $1500. A $20 start and BIN of $1500 is STUPID and easily nuked. A $1475 start and BIN of $1500 is smart and not easily nuked.
    theknowitalltroll;

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