posted on March 1, 2006 08:24:05 AM new
Been essentially MIA from the ebay scene for awhile, (and here too ), actually pretty much since the big Auctionchex discussion.
Anyways, decided to power up just in time for the fixed price sale. So I have a prospect this morning asking if I take CC's or any type of fast payment so he can bin and have item sent pronto, or nearly. Doesn't really want to wait for snail mail'd check and holding (I wouldn't hold check because he is fairly active and is a 100% feedbacker).
Being a "just say no to paypal" type of person at heart [grin], I was wondering what is/has happened with Auctionchex viz ebay and if said prospect would be able to use his CC to do a bidpay, but rather with auctionchex?
Anyone know? A sale now would be a nice start. Help please, am racking my poor brain trying to remember who said what in that thread, but didn't get much rest the other night. Might as well paint my head blue and mark it "inert" right now for all it matters.
posted on March 1, 2006 08:47:37 AM new
WB! If it's not a HUGE amount, I would ship in advance of receiving payment (I shipped everything before I left home 2 weeks ago - many before payments were received). I have done this in the past and had 100% people pay me. Just let him know that is what you are doing and remind him if he hasn't already done so, to send in payment.
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posted on March 1, 2006 09:18:46 AM new
Moneygram from Western Union....just go to the closest location and pick up your money and the buyer can buy it on-line to pay with CC. http://www.westernunion.com/index_consumer.asp
posted on March 1, 2006 09:19:10 AM new
Amazing, Neglus! The same thought crossed my mind too. I've done it once or twice before and it worked out well too. It's under $50, and normally a bit of a stretch for me, but I put out less than $5 for it, so if something went wrong I would only be out that and the unrealized earnings. Guess I'd have to be pretty unlucky to have a 100%'er go wrong though and it's not like my particular item would be a hot item for any account hijacker.
I'm going to pass this thought on the fellow and see how it goes.
posted on March 1, 2006 09:38:23 AM new
toasted, is moneygram the same as the money tranfer ebay keeps warning everyone off? I can't find on the site where it says moneygram? Is it a m/o?
Still, a very good idea too if I can just find that info (still looking here). Might not score as many potential repeat-biz points with the prospect, but definitely safer for me as a seller. I'll have to think about both ideas here. Maybe I'll lay the WU idea on him first (when I find that info) and see what the thinks.
posted on March 1, 2006 09:39:38 AM new
if he wants it so badly,he can always put cash in USPS priority envelope or overnite express envelope .
or how about on line banking ACH,if he has online banking .
/ lets all stop whining !! /
posted on March 1, 2006 09:59:33 AM new
hh, the loot would be USA-->Canada. I've had buyers send money to me via Global express priority, something like that, costly fairly plenty over FC too, I think. Took just as long as or longer than FC. I hought it a waste of money. Funny though, none of the buyers ever complained when I told them the date their money actually got here.
The overnight would obviously work for me, don't know what it would cost him. Guessing about $20-30?
posted on March 1, 2006 10:20:42 AM new
Sorry about that BC Western Union just call it need cash fast money transfer... I could just go to our Bilo store and pick it up http://www.westernunion.com/info/osMoneyTransfer.asp
Moneygram is called a Moneygram lol I just used this for a international sale...just walked in filed out a small form with my name and gave the secret password sent in a e-mail from moneygram and had the money in my hand in just a few minutes https://www.emoneygram.com/eMoneyGram/index.do
posted on March 1, 2006 10:54:29 AM new
Some seller will ship the item if the buyer fax or email her a copy of the money order bot and mailed to seller.
/ lets all stop whining !! /
posted on March 1, 2006 11:02:37 AM new
GAAAA! Hold everything. Just looked at the actual listing and somehow the "shipping costs" part near the very bottom says will ship flat rate for US$3.25. Not bloody likely! when it'll cost me US$9 here.
Now I'm gonna have to check all my other listings and see how I can fix this, or them all if I have to.
Hmm, no wonder this guys hot to trot.
This might take me awhile...got dead chat on hold here too.
posted on March 1, 2006 12:44:57 PM new
There seems to be a little bit of confusion.I am familiar with both of these.First of all Moneygram has nothing to do with Western union.Moneygram is from Travelers express and comes with an 8 digit money code or number.You can pick it up at Walmart,you get a check and they cash it for you.Ebay does not want this anymore than a western union transfer.Western union has a 10 digit code or MTCN,you get a check and they cash it for you.For both of these you have to fill out a form.I also was informed that you can not get both of them at the same places as they are a competing service.I have a favorite check cashing place that I pick up my western union at,they do it all the time so they are quite fast at it,normally 1-2 minutes.With moneygram you have to wait in line at the courtesy desk and then get soemone qualified to make it go thru,it is never a quck experience.Westren union can be very expesnive also,that is why I prefer a bank transfer.My credit union does not charge me at all for incoming international wire transfers at all but many times the intermediate banks in New York help themselves to $20.Out of 9000 sales on Ebay I had a total of 2200 bidpays and I never even asked for it.That was definitely the best thing around since a majority of my best sale go overseas and I do not use paypal.
posted on March 1, 2006 01:21:57 PM new
If they have a Canadian bank account they could send you payment via CertaPay domestic bank transfer. I know we use it to get paid by Canadians direct into our Canadian bank account. Or they promise to mail you a USPS international money order and you post immediately given your record of past purchases by them.
In most OECD countries you can do bank-to-bank domestic transfers for free (except USA). Also in EU you can do bank-to-bank cross border transfers for free, which is why PayPal is so unpopular in the EU. Why pay for something that free and faster?
posted on March 1, 2006 01:42:03 PM new
ok, first things first. 15 minutes on hold or so for dead help plus a fairly fun, if clumsy/jumbled at times, convo below. Any bolding is my post chat commentary, hope I haven't over done the post mortem.
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Your chat session started.
Jill: Hello, my name is J. Welcome to Live Chat! I am happy to help you out with your questions. Thank you for your patience as I see you have been waiting long.
Jill: I also invite you to please share your feedback with me about our chat today by filling out a brief survey when we are finished.
bc: hi
bc: one, maybe more of my listings have somehow got shipping rates in them that I never knowingly inserted
bc: need to find out how to fix this
bc: in revise your item
bc: It's the shipping costs near listing bottom. ANy ideas?
Jill: I'll try my best to help you.
Jill: Are you using Selling Manager or turbo lister?
bc: syi
Jill: I see. [b]invisible frown?[b/]
Jill: okay are you revising the same detail for numerous listings?
bc: in this case it looks like a media mail rate, whereas I'm in Canada and would never be able to ship at that ridiculous low US only rate.
Jill: Yes, that is true.
bc: my I give you an item number?
Jill: Shipping from and to Canada is more expensive.
Jill: Sure.
bc: 1234567890 my title
Jill: Shipping Cost Services Available Available to US $3.25 Standard Flat Rate Shipping Service United States only - so this is wrong.
Jill: Correct?
bc: yes
bc: shipping would be only as provided within my description, so I don't know why the other part is there?
Jill: How many items did you want to revise.
bc: Can I fix this in edit your item. I've about 14 other listings done the same night and haven't looked at them yet either. think I may have missed a bulk edit fix here
bc: by the way, I need a new keyboard here...sticky keys...that's why I'm dropping letters
bc: heh heh
Jill: You can./
Jill: But you will need to edit all of tem one by one.
Jill: That is okay.
bc: C'est la vie
bc: what do I click on to get going?
Jill: okay I would now like to give you some instructions.
Jill: Ready?
bc: I'm in the first page for editing
bc: edit payment & shipping?
Jill: Good.
Jill: yes that one.
bc: ok
Jill: Then make the changes there, click Save and Submit Revisions
bc: it's loading slowly
bc: ah...maximize shipping and sales tax
Jill: Yes. Do choose those that you feel are right.
Jill: That is the page you need to be on.
Jill: Now if there is a bid you cannot revise okay
Jill: Just add to the description and email your bidders.
Jill: That way they know.
Jill: ..Did you have other questions with eBay that I could help you with?
bc: it says in the first box standard flat rate shipping service and then 3.25. The question is why/how this part got "activated". Any ideas?
Jill: Did you sell any item in the past that had this as a shipping cost?
bc: Never, ever.
Jill: Did you see an item on eBay and wanted to follow that listing and maybe clicked on Sell a similar item?
bc: Hmm...I was perusing some sections that can be maximized to have a look. I don't recall looking at this partiular section, but I suppose it's possible. I'd have to have somehow clicked on something to get that part activated.
Jill: Yes,otherwise, none get activated especially on shipping. no, we never mess up here at ebay
Jill: Now if you list more after this, that detail becomes the default. So the next listing carried that over.
Jill: You will need to change the next listing to set another default.
Jill: So for now, I suggest you edit the items please while there are NO bids.
bc: Sigh, Guess I'll have to be ahem a...l in looking at everything that is going on before I hit a submit button oops...it just sorta slipped out
Jill: Yes that is a good habit.
Jill: Always check the fees too.
Jill: That is how you can tell if you may have added a feature that is costly and you did not like [what...like featured page or sumpin?[/b]
Jill: Will you be all right for now?
bc: ok I'm done or now. Will get back if I have to. I think I fixed the item numer I gave you. WOUld you conirm please? great...my typing style is starting to resemble Jack's more and more. Love ya Jack! Come back more often would ya.
Jill: Great.
Jill: I can , but I need to verify you.
bc: ok
Jill: For verification purposes, May I have your full name, address and zip code, and telephone number please?
bc: bc postcards
bc: 123 any st.
bc: anytown you like
bc: 123 456-7890
Jill: Thank you for verifying yourself. I'm now hopping up and down in my chair "I'm verified...I'm verified"
Jill: It is fixed.
bc: just don't spam me now
Jill: I do not see the shipping cost now
Jill:
bc: great
Jill: Please be advised that when we may need to look up your account, we may have to ask these contact information. Please be assured, though, that we never ask for your password or other confidential credit information.
Jill: Your listing is pending and not viewable by the community that is why. bc- what?
Jill: It is like a security protocol. bc- what?
Jill: Okay you can revise the other items now.
Jill: Will you be all right for now?
bc: ask how? bc- I now realize I missed seeing the "when" (above a ways), and thought I was going to get contacted again somehow/someway/by someone from ebay in the future. jill- what?
bc: email? jill- what?
Jill: You see, spam abound in emails or the Internet, yes. how did we get here?
Jill: If you ever get an email that asks for password, do not give in.
Jill: Chances are that is spam. I always respond with those to spammers and phishers, it's a hobby of mine
bc: no no, you said ask , as in here?
bc: or elsewhere?
Jill: Here, or in emails.
Jill: even we do not ask for passwrods in chat.
bc: oh I see you meant here now. I thought you meant in addition to here
Jill: First of all, we do NOT see your passwords. oh thank goodness
Jill: No it is only because you said I was going to spam you...*smile*
Jill: I thought it wise to educate you further on spam .
bc: ok fuhget about it already
Jill: Will you be all right for now?
bc: yes thanks an dhave a great day
bc: bye
You ended your chat session
------
Followed by my furiously fixing the affected listings one by one by...a reboot for my computer now groaning under the strain of overloading memory hips...and one by...
meant to say "memory chips"
[ edited by bcpostcards on Mar 1, 2006 01:53 PM ]
posted on March 1, 2006 01:54:42 PM new
I thought I straighten out money gram with my second post that a money gram and western union fast cash transfer are two different ways to ask for payment .They are both fast and easy. Can pick up the cash at a local store that offers these services. eBay can suggest that we don't use these types of payment and can even tell us not to put it in our listings but they can not force us to use Paypal if we don't want to for a credit card payment. I always tell international bidders if they want to bid they have to either send a postal money order in USD ,well hid cash or one of the above to services. Thats my terms if they don't like then they don't have to bid.All my auctions are marked USA only. Same terms on any USA address thats not confirmed through Paypal that goes over 50.00. I'm sure there are tons of sellers that take chances everyday taking unconfirmed addresses but I don't feel I should have to...my choice. Everyone has their on terms for auctions. Anyway I was just suggesting a easy way for your buyer to pay by credit card if you don't take Paypal. Its up to you to take the payment however you feel comfortable.Both services are pretty much like Bidpay but instead of them mailing you a money order you just go pick it up.
posted on March 1, 2006 02:09:34 PM new
toasted, thanks for coming back to clarify. WU money transfer for item under $50 + shipping fees would've cost the punter about another $18 in fees. I've had exactly one payment come in this way from a slooow to pay Italian buyer as a last minute UPI reprive.
Can't remember exactly what moneygrams fees were quoted as, but around $5 or a little more lower than WP's quote.
tuna: thanks for that excellent info. Re WU and moneygram being a "competing service". Funny, when I was talking to the WU phone rep I thought I detected a sudden frost in the air when I said "can you tell me about moneygram". Sadly my credit union also dropped broad hints about there being a $18-20 fee for incoming int'l bank transfers. I'm going to have to check around town a little to if its the rule or exception.
posted on March 1, 2006 02:19:19 PM new
My bank (COMPASS) quoted $18/incoming, but actually only charges $12...
"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself—not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch."
—After visiting with wounded veterans from the Amputee Care Center of Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006
posted on March 1, 2006 02:24:30 PM new
hh: wouldn't a fax'd or email'd photo of a m/o mean exactly zip? One could mail an empty envelope and take the paymentpromptly back to the bank for a refund.
I decided to draw the trust card as neglus suggested. Over 99% of all my buyers have coughed up and this punters feedback and buying power so far looks to be among the best of those (knock on wood), my item would be on the smaller side for him. So I finally fired him an email making the offer, and apologizing for the shipping quote mess-up which also affected his item. If I had his buying power, if I needed the item I'm offering as much as he's making himself out to be needing it (did I just say that?) then I wouldn't be put off by another measely $6.
posted on March 1, 2006 02:32:05 PM new
well that would be better...especially if there's no sliding scale for larger transfers. But what if they also promise 4 interest on TD's and only pay out 3%?
posted on March 1, 2006 03:06:13 PM new
toasted: yes you did correct things nicely the first time. I missed your post in making mine, after coming back from the WU rep without hitting the refresh button here first.
agit: the convenience of a US$ account is offered by many banks and CU's here in Canada. Mine has certainly come in handy over the years. Somehow I just never considered it also occuring the other way around. I'm not trying to be mean-spirited, but I'm tres surprised here; I've never heard of it before.
In going over-the-line, whether for business or pleasure, I can still recall the strange looks from cashiers/waitresses, anywhere/anytime one got a certain distance past the border. "Is that real money?" one and all would say, all the while turning the bills over and over while peering quizzically at them. This even happened when the Canadian buck was stronger than the Yankee dollar. Ok, now I'm dating myself.
posted on March 1, 2006 04:40:03 PM new
toasted: sheesh, I meant your second post, where I came in right afterwards but about 16 minutes later. I'm little worse for wear now, so perhaps I'm not catching your angle?
posted on March 1, 2006 05:58:17 PM newthe convenience of a US$ account is offered by many banks and CU's here in Canada. Mine has certainly come in handy over the years. Somehow I just never considered it also occuring the other way around.
I wasn't suggesting that those south of the border would have a CAD bank account. I do know most of my Canadian friends have USD denominated accounts as it saves loads on exchange rates. I often get Canadian customers offering to pay in USD even though I quoted them CAD prices as our local bank negotiates all major trading currencies at wholesale rates with no commissions. (If they didn't we simply bank it offshore in a multi-currency account.)
...I can still recall the strange looks from cashiers/waitresses, anywhere/anytime one got a certain distance past the border. "Is that real money?" one and all would say, all the while turning the bills over and over while peering quizzically at them.
Most foreigners (I'm one from a US worldview) still can't get over a country having all its currency notes the same size, let alone the same colour. Talk about a recipe for confusion.
posted on March 1, 2006 08:11:58 PM new
toasted, just want to apologize if I leant on ye a bit hard. I was pretty tired at that moment, so tired that I did not even see that I had just written that line myself in the posting above yours. I thought I was not reading the situation right and was trying to be as nice as one could be in my state.
Still a bit blasted here, but seeing that line standing alone, boy...that is one stinker of a line, a real double entendre. I don't know about people who write lines like that, but I think I got off real easy.
darn ubb code
darn wrong smiley, I wanted the winker
[ edited by bcpostcards on Mar 1, 2006 08:12 PM ]
[ edited by bcpostcards on Mar 1, 2006 08:17 PM ]
posted on March 1, 2006 08:36:04 PM new
agit: you know, in my state here, all this talk about exchange rates, foreign currency acounts on either side of the border, offshore multi-currency accounts...I was thinking it could lead a casual, non vendio lurker just dropping by, to think all of us here are just wealthy zillionaires with time on our hands. hahahahaha
well some here might be, just not me.
I saw some of the new style US bills that came out last year (or is it the one before?), and they are quite the departure from the previous norm, arent they?
Presumably the level/quality of counterfeiting was getting to be too much for the Treasury. I always fret just a little when someone decides to mail me cash instead of a m/o, etc. Acually these days, it's a good idea to give every monetary instrument you receive a good looking over.
Most corner stores I go into have at least a few fakes taped up on a wall somewhere (t least I think they're fakes. Can't be the first dollar they made can it? How many times over can one do that?
posted on March 2, 2006 01:26:42 PM newyou know, in my state here, all this talk about exchange rates, foreign currency acounts on either side of the border, offshore multi-currency accounts...
Well we kiwis tend to get around. Most of us leave the nest and head off overseas after university, so it's not surprising we have offshore bank accounts or have lived abroad for years. (Some leave and never return.)
NZ has a huge tourism industry so every bank post exchange rates for major currencies including Canadian, and I can buy or sell almost any currency over the counter. Most NZ businesses have at least one multi-currency bank account to hedge against future sales or purchases. We take for granted that we are part of the world economy.
I saw some of the new style US bills that came out last year (or is it the one before?), and they are quite the departure from the previous norm, arent they? Presumably the level/quality of counterfeiting was getting to be too much for the Treasury. I always fret just a little when someone decides to mail me cash instead of a m/o, etc. Acually these days, it's a good idea to give every monetary instrument you receive a good looking over.
The Iranians and North Koreans were using the same printing presses to counterfeit high denomination US notes, that the US Mint used to print the real thing. The "super dollar" fakes were so good they passed cursory inspection, and even had the proper watermarks.
I would have though the new US bills would have had better security features though. Most currency bank notes use holograms, metal foil, plastic windows or other easy to see security features - our NZD notes are all plastic covered so they last for years compared to the old paper ones.
posted on March 2, 2006 01:34:03 PM newSo I have a prospect this morning asking if I take CC's or any type of fast payment so he can bin and have item sent pronto, or nearly.
Didn't this raise a red flag? I accept credit cards so I see this scam often. When a thief steals a credit card, they want items right now, before the real card owner knows it is stolen.
Ask for the bank name and number on the card for verification. If they are legite, they will tell you. Otherwise, they will fight with you over that info. Wondering why you need it when it is their bank. The scammers always baulk at that.
.
.
.
Many misleading tricks in 2006. The new Demomoron slogan.
I agree, Kiwis do get around quite a bit. I see them here (BC) on a regular basis and have invariably found them to be friendly, bright and industrious. I definitely consider New Zealand to be on my must-visit list.
By the way folks, if anyone hadn't noticed, I was pretty much out of it the other day. Any statements/observtions I made yesterday absolutely weren't intended as a sleight to anyone. I can see though that in a certain frame of mind, many comments can be misconstrued. It's amazing how much better one can feel and clearly think after a good sleep.
stone, it would be a red flag if I did accept CC's directly. I'm guessing it should also be if one accepts CC's through paypal? Seems to me that most scammers are after high-end goods, like jewelry or electronic goods that are easily convertible to cash. In my case it was for a non-fiction book, the subject matter would be rather anathemic for those types.
Sadly, the prospect never did get back to me. I emailed him and later also directly replied to his asq.
As sellers I feel we should always do our best to accomodate prospective buyers requests, so long as they aren't too far out in left field. We won't always get the order though, but personally I'm always satisfied with having done my best to have had at least left a good impression (one hopes) for the future.
), actually pretty much since the big Auctionchex discussion.
Hold everything. Just looked at the actual listing and somehow the "shipping costs" part near the very bottom says will ship flat rate for US$3.25. Not bloody likely! when it'll cost me US$9 here. 
oops...it just sorta slipped out
"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself—not here at the hospital, but in combat with a cedar. I eventually won. The cedar gave me a little scratch."
I emailed him and later also directly replied to his asq.