Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase No seller protection and pure greed

I recognize on this site your not supposed to ask people to gift you money through paypal and I understand the reasoning behind that. But, i personally have a real problem with ebay and paypals greed.

Considering paypal is owned by the same company that owns ebay. I think its ridiculous that ebay get a 10% commission that includes money intended for shipping, forces you to use paypal, and then squeezes you for an additional 3% through a so called different company. Essentially taking two seperate commisions. Plus, as the seller, you are not provided the same protection the buyer gets. Meaning, the buyer gets a service for the 3% they give to paypal. Yet, the seller gets nothing in return for their 3%.

To those that contend they as the buyer need the protection because they dont know the seller and cant trust them. I understand that and dont disagree with them wanting that. At the same time, I dont think they are seeing the flip side to that coin. Sure, they could pay up front and receive nothing in return. But, the seller could send the item and have a fraudulent dispute made against them to paypal. Then be out the item and money they will be forced to refund paypal. Meaning, the seller actually has no protection even with paypal.

So, to those that say they cant buy something with no insurance. I ask them. Why should the seller trust you wont do them dirty? Why cant you as the buyer show some good faith if the seller is forced to do that for you? I wish more people would be open minded enough to consider both sides. Rather than purely seeing situations for how they effect them. Ebay could exist without paypal.

Even though many think that transactions couldnt be made through the internet if paypal wasnt offered. I personally beleive paypal is just one of many examples in our world of corporate greed. A result of Ebays recognition of an opportunity to fleece people out of the most money possible. Knowing that they can force your hand to use their company and pay their commisions by making it a rule on their site and you have no alternative place to go.

Sure, no one is forced to use Ebay and if I dont like their practices I can choose to not use the service they provide. Much easier said than done when there is no viable alternative that currently exists. Which Ironically is the beauty and kind of a down fall of a site like Old Gas. Were a legitimate alternative to ebay is provided free of charge. But, also unfortunately results in people taking advantage of this site by using it for a purpose it wasnt originally intended for.

I have no problem paying reasonable fees for a service provided. Truthfully, as much as most wouldnt like it to happen. I would have no problem with this site charging a reasonable fee to vendors.

My problem is with unreasonable fees. Being commisioned for shipping charges. For the millions upon millions ebay makes charging the commisions they do on all those sales everyday, then taking the rest of your money for something they should provide for free. I think they should provide an insured system for payment ( aka paypal) for free.

In my opinion, what they are doing would be the same thing as McDonalds charging people an additional fee to pay for their food. Having the cashiers presented as a seperate company that accepts payment. Just think if every company used that business model. The next thing you would know. Just to go eat a burger at McDonalds. It would cost 50 bucks. They would charge for the food, paying, napkins, sitting at a table, trash disposal, and lets not forget parking.
Maybe im wrong on this and im just frustrated. But, im sick of it. Ok, im stepping off my soap box. I have officially vented and now im gonna go meditate.

My head hurts now. I can't wait to relax today while waiting for and watching the big game.

I completely agree, and think its wrong how you get hit on both ends. Alot of this I believe is a result of sellers and buyers alike exploiting weeknesses in their system. The charge on shipping is ridiculous, and the rising costs of shipping have dramatically changed the items I can sell on ebay over the past 14+yrs I have been involved. The good/bad is that all these fees are viewed by the buyer as a cost, and part of the value of an item. It makes it very difficult to sell smaller items, items that I find tend to do better at yard sales and flea markets than online. It is however a great place for rarer big items. You pay for the exposure they create that you would not get from local avenues.

As a seller, I feel that they have been on my side in the past. I have had at least 2 occasions when a buyer abused their buer protection practices, and though time consuming I was able to get ebay to help me out. It is what it is, and I guess thats what we have to do to be able to work with a company like that. Depending on what you sell Amazon is the only other option, I have looked into it and for me it just does not work.

Ebay however has helped me connect with other buyers/sellers and though they make it almost impossible these days, once you complete a transaction with someone you have their email and can then work deals on the side….

This is the problem. More and more people think it's okay to screw another out of something. There is greed and questionable actions on both sides of the fence. However, each chooses to be blind to their own actions and they falsely believe they have out foxed each other.

i have to agree i used to do lots of selling on ebay an i did real well but now i have quit thanks to ebays selfish greedy *****. an there unfair policy's to screw the seller over i gave up it was just not worth my time an effort to have to jump thru hoop's to please the buyer all the time then they whine over some thing stupid an your forced to give them a full refund an ya ya ***** so i no longer sell there

Ok I agree with the fact that eBay and pay pal charge way more than they should . But here it comes again . If you want to sell something that is what they are in business to do and the way they make a profit by showing your items to millions of people. I enjoy this site and love to see all the things sold with no fee but if you check some folks have way more post for sale than to participate . Just my 2 cents

When I started selling on Ebay in 98 fees were around 2.75%, they have gone steadily up and will probably continue. I hate it but I still use them. Paypal was the hardest part to stomach but what can you do, quit using them or eat it and move on. I still sell on Ebay and have made some pretty amazing money on there, still at 13% it's the one of the best option for someone like me and selling cars on there is excellent. Ebay has saved my butt with some shady sellers so their system does work most of the time. I'm a careful seller and have never lost a dispute, all 2 of them, with paypal. Guess I just don't find that much to complain about, you can only fight the current so long before you either go down the river or pull your boat out.

A Few will always find a way to beat the system to their specifications.
OG needs to Limit each member to X# items For Sale in each Forum EACH WEEK/MONTH

Dave i agree with you 100%.

Coheley5 i think you missed the point. I even specifically said that I realize I have no choice in the matter if I choose to sell things on the internet. Plus, just because you doing business and the point is to make money. Doesnt make it ok to be greedy and take advantage of the people that use your business. Its called being ethical. A chapter it seems alot people forgot to read in business 101.
My parents have always taught me to stand up for what is right. You cant stand up for whats right if you sit back quietly and decide to say its just the way it is. Ebay has a monopoly on this industry and they are taking advantage of the people who make their business possible to begin with. So you can choose to just let them make money hand over fist at your exspense because they can. But, thats not me.

On the point of asking for Paypal to be sent as a gift, I notice many sellers here upfront stating that they take Paypal if you (buyer) pay the fees (how is this any different than sending as a gift- it's not, it's just semantics). I am of mixed feelings on this one, but if I buy from one using that condition, I conform. What I find interesting is that some of those who insist upon this in their sales transactions do not(voluntarily) reciprocate when they buy from others. I guess it's a good day to vent. : )

My thing is Dave. I hate when buyers ask you for a discount. Refuse to do a

deal over 20 dollars. Then when u give in and knock off the 20 trying to be cool

and they could save you from loosing the additional 3%. They refuse because

they arnt protected if they gift it. Trust me, I understand why they are hesitant to

forgo the protection. But, it makes me mad when Im having to take that same

risk and trust them and have no protection on my end. Plus, i have to loose

another 3% on top of the discount i have already given them. Lets be honest

here. All a buyer has to do is pay and then dispute the charges. Say, i sent them

a box with a brick in it and not the item they purchased. They get my sign and a

refund. So, as much as I understand their position and hesitancy to trust me.

Im being forced to trust them no matter what.

Greed indeed and if eBay didn't have a monopoly on the online auction game, things would be much differrent.
But everything considered, it's still cheaper than just about any other option. That being said, the reason I can never sell on eBay again is because of the ease of buyers fraud. Here's my little rant from awhile back:
protecting yourself FROM eBay
The fees are what they are and it's up to you to decide if you want to play their game. I decided I don't.

Bburke I do not think I have missed the point at all the fact of the matter is when you sell something (often here ) you must be making a profit . Start selling all your items for 3% above your cost and ship for free it will not be very long you can not restock. My point being it cost money to do buisness , pay employees , keep the lights burning , ebay is like every business they take every opertunity to make a profit. If we want to use ebay take it or go else where.

Doing what it takes to keep the lights on? Thats rich. I shouldnt have to add all

Those additional charges on to buy the guys at paypal another yacht. Yea, i have

Thought up including the cost of doing business into what I charge. But, I like

To sleep at night and im not buying the guys at paypal another yacht raising my

Prices. The other alternative is not using

Ebay or paypal. Avoiding paypals 3% by gifting funds to people. Or simply

Paying with checks and money orders through the mail.

For the record Coheley5. Since joining this site in early Oct. I have sold two

Things on this site and currently have two other items for sale. So, im not sure

What you ment by saying im selling often on here. But, i wouldnt classify putting

One item up a month as selling often on here.