Fees are too high...

[arman_sch]

I don't know about the rest of you, but as a casual seller/buyer on ebay (I often sell stuff I actually bought on ebay), I find that the max fee for a listing is just too much. I recently sold a lens for about $1000, on which the fees were over $100 (with $0 insertion fee). That left a sour taste in my mouth.

I'm also rather unhappy with the paypal fees, especially now given that we aren't really provided with an alternative; those fees should be transparently displayed as part of the ebay listing fees.

Now I know that ebay is providing a service, and I'm very grateful for it, but I certainly won't be selling anything between $500-$1500 on ebay ever again; I simply don't believe that the price advantage justifies the price. And even if the price after fees were equal to the price I could get on a free listing service, I'd definitely go with the latter just out of principle.

What do you all think? I'd be interested to hear how everyone feels about handing over 11% on every sale (and arguably every purchase, if you're into economics)...

P.S. Wouldn't it be cool if there were an option, as a seller, to see the current bidding price net of all fees that will be deducted, based on that price? Just a thought...

[the-kazbar]

I don't see how you could deem it to be anything but a business cost ?:| The fact that it is only incurred after the buyer purchases is not really relevant because many costs are only incurred after an item is purchased. Just as I don't want to pay more than I have to for my packaging supplies or postage cost I would like to keep the fees for my payment processing as low as possible.

Anyway, the point is moot because sellers can't opt out of accepting echeques and PP fees are not likely to get lower any time soon 🙂

[the-kazbar]

I don't see how you could deem it to be anything but a business cost ?:| 

The fact that it is only incurred after the buyer purchases is not really relevant because many costs are only incurred after an item is purchased. Just as I don't want to pay more than I have to for my packaging supplies or postage cost I would like to keep the fees for my payment processing as low as possible.

And yes the buyer ultimately pays it as part of their invoice total, but the less I have to dispurse to my suppliers (including paypal) then the better my bottom line, and that is the whole point of being in business is it not?

Anyway, the point is moot because sellers can't opt out of accepting echeques and PP fees are not likely to get lower any time soon 🙂

[the-kazbar]

Mmm not sure what happened there, sorry :8}

[digital*ghost]

As I said, I'm not trying to say "I'm right, you're wrong" or anything, as in some ways I do understand the reasoning you've stated for wanting buyers to incur the cost of an eCheque, but the main reason I queried it is not because I don't understand how it's a cost that, if it wasn't taken out of the total you receive, you would essentially retain a greater percentage of profit, but because you only applied the justification for wanting that reduction to eCheques but it's a cost incurred with any kind of PayPal payment despite funding source and processing time.

[the-kazbar]

I'm happy to pay for a service I've received ie credit card processing and instant payments, but I am not a fan of paying for a service that I gain no benefit from (echeques). Thats all. No arguments from me 🙂

[phorum_junkie*]

I think that you do benefit when a buyer pays with an echeque.

That buyer would very possibly not have bought if they could not use Paypal and the payment has to be processed whatever the funding source so why should you pay any less just because the buyer doesn't have or use a card.

If you truly believe that there should be a difference between the fee paid for an echeque and a card then why not tell Paypal, I am sure they will thank you for the suggestion and start charging an extra fee for processing the card funded payments;-)

[lyndal1838]

If you truly believe that there should be a difference between the fee paid for an echeque and a card then why not tell Paypal, I am sure they will thank you for the suggestion and start charging an extra fee for processing the card funded payments;-)

Too late PJ....as of the 22nd paypal is charging an extra 1% for payments funded by a debit or credit card.  At least that is the way I read the new policy updates.  I did make one payment this week but nothing changed when I changed the funding source from bank account to debi card, so who knows?

[lyndal1838]

No. You are not understanding me at all, but I also think that you knew that and are just being a little difficult for the sake of it.

My customers are covered for missing parcels regardless of the payment method because I am an honest, reliable seller.

If you read what I have actually written you will see that I have said is that the service I am receiving (ie paying for) from PP is no different from what I get from my bank.

This thread was about fees. I think the ebay fees are fair. If I didnt I wouldn't use the service. I would like to have the same choice when it comes to accpeting , or not, echeques, but I can't.

Sorry Kaz, but I am not being difficult for the sake of it...I really did read your post that way.

Part of the fee paid to paypal is to fund the Buyer and Seller Protection Policies as well as to facilitate the transfer of funds.

What you are proposing is that the buyer should pay the paypal fee which you have (or should have) built into your item price and then you want them to pay it again in the form of a surcharge on an e-cheque payment.

If the buyer uses a bank deposit instead of an echeque they relinquish any form of Buyer Protection...you as the seller are protected though as the buyer has no redress at all.

Most of us here know that you are honest and the problem would not arise with your customers, but can you imagine what would hppen on the boards pf everyone who wants to pay from their bank account has not buyer protection?

[thesoulyearns]

Too late PJ....as of the 22nd paypal is charging an extra 1% for payments funded by a debit or credit card.  At least that is the way I read the new policy updates.

Does that mean the seller's PP fee will go up from 2.4% (+ 30c) to 3.4%?

[digital*ghost]

If it's the policy I'm thinking of, the way I read it the extra 1% only applies if you use an international credit card (i.e you are located in Australia but are using a card issued by an American financial institution for whatever reason).