posted on October 11, 2000 06:50:46 PM new
There really should be a concerted effort by all who are concerned and distressed by the slimeball business tactics of PayHell and X(cess fees).com to come up with an organized program to wean bidders off of PayHell!
Over the past 2 weeks, I've been encouraging my auction winners to use ExchangePath or PayDirect with disappointing results: 3 for EP/ 0 for PD/ and 20 (goshdarnnit) for PayHell!
I no longer give a link for PayHell in my EOA letter; but I still mention that I accept it. Why? Because, the winners WANT it!
I think the ANTI-PayHell buttons are counter-productive -- negatives are usually percieved negatively by bidders.
My thought is that we should all put our heads together (ala the Million Auction March) and tap into resources such as OAUA, etc & come up with an EFFECTIVE ANTI-PayHell program.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Tom (the no-longer-virginal-ex-PayHell-cheerleader)
posted on October 11, 2000 07:55:15 PM new
Just say no. Explain why you do not accept it. It works. Before I began acepting PP and now that I no longer do, when I have been asked "why not?" and have given my answer, there have been no quibbles or arguments. They usually reply along the lines of "Oh. OK."
posted on October 11, 2000 08:10:01 PM new
Yeah, what Bannicula said. Just say no.
You're the seller, you get to set the terms. I really doubt you're getting bids just so users can use PayPal. They're surely bidding on your MERCHANDISE! Have a little confidence in yourself <g>.
posted on October 11, 2000 08:31:53 PM new
I believe that statments such as "no paypal" are counter-productive...although it may feel good to say it! (And I admit I have. It's resulted in some lively email discussions, where I've supplied bidders with links to this forum. Incidentally, not a one has disagreed with me after checking here!)
I suppose some bidders may just go searching for Paypal-accepting sellers, but they've got to be relatively rare. From a sensible buyer's viewpoint, a means - any means, albeit simple - to pay by credit card is wanted. So just use a different credit card option such as Billpoint! If you really don't want to close the Paypal door, you don't have to...but you don't have to advertise it either.
And for heavens sake, accept personal checks AND money orders, too!
posted on October 11, 2000 08:59:15 PM new
I quit accepting PAYPAL two weeks ago. In the auctions I've listed since then, I just say "BILLPOINT gladly accepted for credit card purchases (sorry, no PAYPAL)." In over 100 auction winners since then I've only had one person inquire if I took PAYPAL. I used to have 40-50% payments via PAYPAL; now I'm getting about 20% payment through BILLPOINT. My bids have not dropped--indeed in the last two weeks, bids have gone much higher than anticipated.
PAYPAL acceptance may well be a factor if you're selling new, retail, easy-to-find products--but for my items, I don't think it matters a whit.
I must say I'm sleeping better--no fear that my account will be frozen or the like!
posted on October 12, 2000 07:26:49 AM new
Pass the cost on to the Buyer and make them wait.
"All payments made through "PayPal/X.com are subject to a 5 percent service charge. Items will be shipped only after payment has been received from PayPal via check withdraw. (this usually takes 2 to 4 weeks)
This change in policy is required due to the recent policy changes at PayPal that indicate they may be in serious financial trouble and we cannot have our merchandise in transit should they cease operation and fail to make payments on your behalf.
As always, your Check or Money Order is welcome. For faster service you can pay by Credit Card using our secure server at: www.ourserver.com/auction.html or by calling us Toll-Free at: 1-888-NOPAYPAL "
posted on October 12, 2000 07:34:27 AM new
Murph,
Same here, I quit acce[ting Paypal when they implimented the fees. Don't have another service as of yet, checking out others though on another thread.
Stated in all Auctions "No on-line payments accepted" Has not hurt me at all since I deal in Antiques and Collectables. If someone wants the item they don't care what method of payment is accepted. Hasn't hurt my Auctions at all.
posted on October 14, 2000 01:08:24 AM new
tomwiii
We took the PayPal logo out of our auctions (although we still list it as one of our payment methods). We don't mention it in our EOA email but promote other services.
Since doing this our PayPal payments have dropped (gessing here) 80%. The bids are still there but more people are using Billpoint, BidPay, Paydirect, checks and money orders.
I am shying away from ExchangePath. I heard that they will eventually be charging a flat $1.00 per transaction fee. If your auction closes at $5-$15 that really hurts. For larger transactions it might be a bargain.
posted on October 14, 2000 01:38:39 AM new"I am shying away from ExchangePath. I heard that they will eventually be charging a flat $1.00 per transaction fee"
Please don't read this as a challenge, it isn't, but could you share your source. I wrote ExchangePath once on their merchant account, weeks ago and never got a reply and I've not been able to find anything on their web site. The news services offer very few articles.
posted on October 14, 2000 06:09:57 AM new
Although I love mrjim's response above, I don't mention PayPal. If a buyer
does ask about it, I just say no. And then
they send me a check or money order.
My wife read it on one of the threads, somewhere on this message board. I'm not sure if it is true, (I can't find anything on their web site to substantiate this).
If I can get an answer from an actual person associated with ExchangePath, and it is not true, then I will sign up with them. I'm just a bit hesitant to sign with them and then get hit with that kind of charge later. We sell a lot of low dollar items.
[ edited by outoftheblue on Oct 14, 2000 09:17 PM ]
posted on October 14, 2000 11:28:08 PM new
The whole idea of holding an auction is to sell something at the best price you can get for that item. Bidders don't take into account the cost associated with preparing the item for sell or the fees of the transaction. I think that is why sellers should start adding these fees to the final auction price until auction sites and online payment services change the way they do business. Even though I don't like it, I have participated in live auctions (yes, they still exist) that charge 2% or so on top of whatever you buy to help defray some of the costs.
Another thing is I don't understand why auction sites and online payment services always send the bill to the seller. Why do I have to reach for my wallet everytime a buyer reaches for his? After all, we are selling the item to make money--not to lose money. Right? Ebay can stick a couple of banner ads on my auction. PayPal can hold my money for a couple of weeks and make a little interest off the sell. Just stop charging fees!!! Buyers want the goods cheap and sellers want to turn a modest profit. I think that is the main reason that online escrow services have never caught on. Just my two cents...
posted on October 16, 2000 08:26:00 AM new
"I only accept Paypal from verified accounts - I am verified. I recommend Exchangepath, a free service that will pay you $10 when you make your first transaction. They also accept Amex. You can also use Paydirect, Achex, Moneyzap, Payplace."
posted on October 16, 2000 11:57:54 AM new
ExchangePath is owned by CMGI, they are a large company and quite remarkable in what they have done on the net, in fact, they own uBid who BTW refused to use PP completely.
Presumably ExchangePath is poinsing to take the REAL market which PP's own ridiculous measures have caused them to miss out on.
As to how to ween bidders of PayPal... We have never accepted PP payments. And yes, we lost a few bidders due to it but nothing major.
We put right in our payment notices that we dont accept it. We DONT put that in the online ad's themselves. Once a bidder wins they get an email of how to pay and that email says we dont accept paypal, if you want know why, email us and inquire.
We then direct them to the various message threads and most instantly will terminate using the service.
Signed: WhyNot!
posted on October 16, 2000 12:21:52 PM new" I recommend Exchangepath, a free service that will pay you $10 when you make your first transaction"
One of my biggest problems with ExchangePath was the fact you couldn't cancel a payment sent to the wrong email address, they've fixed that. That now makes it easy to collect your $10 bonus without making a transaction. You sign up and simply send a payment to an email address that isn't registered with ExchangePath then cancel it... you now have your $10 bonus without spending a dime. They might have to close that loop hole soon and I'm not sure how they'll do it.
They might have to close that loop hole soon and I'm not sure how they'll do it.