Paypal fees ......

I just wanted some feedback from fellow Amart users because maybe I'm wrong and if so I need my attitude changed!

My beef is people who charge Paypal fees (which varies from 3-4%) on top of their asking price. I feel this is disingenuous because the asking price is not really the true asking price, like a bait and switch technique at a car dealership where the bare bones car with no options advertised at a bargain basement price is never available but the fully loaded model is.

eBay forbids vendors from charging Paypal fees, store merchants don't charge you extra to cover the credit card company's commission when you use plastic. I don't charge my patients extra when they pay via plastic at my dental office. It's the price of doing business in the 21st century and frankly I'd rather pay the credit card commission rather than spend extra time and money chasing down bogus cheques.

Why can't Amart sellers merely raise their asking price to cover the Paypal fee. Or eat it because again I'd much rather have an instant funds transfer and confirmation of a sale than wait weeks for a cheque to arrive in the mail that may never appear and lose other potential buyers. On expensive astro items I've often asked people to Paypal me a nominal deposit to indicate they really are serious and if they are serious it's never been an issue.

Am I wrong?

The fees aren't a big deal for small items, but 3% of $6K is $180. PayPal has a flat-fee method for payments (eCheck?) that can be used to reduce their vig on big ticket items. Separating the PP fee from the asking price allows a seller to offer the buyer this option.

One of the signatures of the Astromart users reads "Don't pet the sweaty things and don't sweat the petty things." I think that applies here. My advice is to ask the seller if his price includes a PayPal fee. If it doesn't you'll have to dig real deep into that pocket and cough up 3%. If you think the 3% puts the price over the top than spend your cash elsewhere or mail a cashier's check, simple. I try to be crystal clear in my ads. Bottom line...ask. If you have a business than you have already figured the fee into your cost of doing business. I know I do with my business and only a fool would believe otherwise. Ever shop at Sam's or Costco and wonder why they don't take Visa? It's the 3% fee they have to absorb. Most users on Astromart aren't selling their gear as a business. Martin

Why can't Amart sellers merely raise their asking price to cover the Paypal fee

That would be unfair to those of us who choose not to use Paypal. It's your choise to use Paypal. It's not bait and switch. When you buy a car, there are other costs on top of the selling price, taxes, license, financing..

The important thing is that the seller state his/her price accurately with any included conditions. The asking price may or may not include shipping. That's the seller's choice. The asking price may or may not include Paypal fees, that's the seller's choice.

If the seller is willing to accept Paypal and says that paying the Paypal fee is the buyer's responsibility, that's the seller's choice. Whether you buy it, that's your choice.

Jon

Why would I want to pay Paypal fees if I'm paying by Money Order? (Just my opinion) As a seller, it is better to not include the fees in the price, and to then disclose the additional fees if Paypal is the chosen method of payment.

jim chung said:

I just wanted some feedback from fellow Amart users because maybe I'm wrong and if so I need my attitude changed!

My beef is people who charge Paypal fees (which varies from 3-4%) on top of their asking price. I feel this is disingenuous because the asking price is not really the true asking price, like a bait and switch technique at a car dealership where the bare bones car with no options advertised at a bargain basement price is never available but the fully loaded model is.

eBay forbids vendors from charging Paypal fees, store merchants don't charge you extra to cover the credit card company's commission when you use plastic. I don't charge my patients extra when they pay via plastic at my dental office. It's the price of doing business in the 21st century and frankly I'd rather pay the credit card commission rather than spend extra time and money chasing down bogus cheques.

Why can't Amart sellers merely raise their asking price to cover the Paypal fee. Or eat it because again I'd much rather have an instant funds transfer and confirmation of a sale than wait weeks for a cheque to arrive in the mail that may never appear and lose other potential buyers. On expensive astro items I've often asked people to Paypal me a nominal deposit to indicate they really are serious and if they are serious it's never been an issue.

Am I wrong?

It is against the user agreement for Paypal users to charge the fees to a buyer. But who ever plays by the rules they agreed to anymore? And of course, if a seller isn't willing to abide by the agreement they made with Paypal, what makes you think they will abide with any agreement they make with you?

"You agree that you will not impose a surcharge or any other fee for accepting PayPal as a payment method. You may charge a handling fee in connection with the sale of goods or services, as long as the handling fee does not operate as a surcharge and is not higher than the handling fee you charge for non-PayPal transactions."

dan

Its kinda rare that I offer what the asking price is regardless of how that is arrived at when I am buying unless its something $50 or less and I think its a fair deal. Usually I see the asking price etc and decide what I am willing to pay....Then send an offer for that amount shipped and paypal'd....and unless its something I really need or want badly I usually skip it if the seller doesnt take paypal....

I sell MUCH less often than I buy but if I do then the price includes shipping and I dont sweat the PP fees amd uusually tell the buyer I would prefer they use PP.