Seller adding Paypal Surcharge - what should I do?

beachbeth · 3 November 2004 at 7:02PM

I have recently bought an item from a seller on Ebay and, as he did not state any postage I contacted him to ask how much. He replied saying that if I paid through paypal then he would add a 4% onto the cost and postage was free.

I replied, telling him that it was against Ebay rules to add a surcharge for Paypal and gave him the link to the page that states this. He then thanked me and said he didn't realise he wasn't supposed to do this. However, he then sent this email: (name omitted from the end)

Thank you for taking time out to send me the information as I requested. Although it is common practice to charge for the use of Paypal it does appear to be against ebay rules and I will amend the wording to my postal and packaging instructions on my future auctions. A 4% charge will now be made towards packaging costs for all Paypal users. Packaging however will remain free to bidders providing a personal cheque as a form of payment. Your postal cost will therefore be. Payment by cheque £14.95p total or £15.60p via Paypal a charge of 65p being made for packaging. Please forward me your preferred option and I will invoice you accordingly. Regards

He is, therefore, still adding a surcharge for Paypal as well as postage now. If it was up to me I'd forget the whole thing but the item is for my dad, so I don't want to upset the seller too much. What should I do next? Pay by cheque?

wackojackouk · 3 November 2004 at 8:18PM

He is definately in the wrong but it's only pennies and if you must have the item then pay him the extra 65p.

beachbeth · 3 November 2004 at 9:41PM

I will pay him. Its not the money I mind. Its the principle of it. I usually avoid people who add a charge for paypal.

System · 3 November 2004 at 9:53PM

Once feedback has been left report them.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/contact_inline/results.html?tier0=report_problem.html&tier1=0&tier2=5&continueButton=Continue+%3E&contactUsJSFilename=report_problem.js&contactTitle=Report+Transaction+Problems

soolin · 3 November 2004 at 11:40PM

I agree with the other posters that in this case you probably need to just pay up and move on.

Unfortunately buying an item without confirming post and packing first leaves you open to all sorts of added extras. I personally would never bid on an item where post and packing charges are not clearly shown, one of my first purchases on ebay several years ago got me stung for high postage on a video as I just assumed the seller would be 'fair' as he had good feedback. Never again.

However much you want an item never bid unless the seller will confirm the exact post and packing he/ she will charge you.

Having said all that I have an irrational dislike of people who surcharge for paypal. It always seems to me that if they are willing to bend the rules by surcharging they might be bending the rules in other ways as well.

Soo

robnye · 4 November 2004 at 1:39AM

personally send him a crossed postal order.......

he would have to pay it into his bank account.......

then let him leave feedback first..... that way if he diss's you , you cen leave negative.

also report him to ebay after you have received the item.

soolin · 4 November 2004 at 10:05AM

Agreed, I would definitely report him to ebay once you have the item. Send them a copy of his email as he clearly trying to get round the rules by surcharging under a different name.

It probably won't do any good though, I reported a couple of sellers that had huge paypal surcharges in a category I often buy from and they are still there, still surcharging weeks later on their items. The listings I reported never did get pulled either.

The only good thing is that the surchargers in this category get considerably less for their item even including the surcharge than the others, and that makes me feel a bit better.

Soo

scheming_gypsy · 4 November 2004 at 11:32AM

peersonally i'd weigh up the pro's and con's of paying 65p surcharge or delivery.

scrouge · 4 November 2004 at 5:32PM

Also BEWARE of goods that seem really cheap on BUY IT NOW....
Many add a ridiculous amount for P&P..
I almost bought a SKY box for £50 which was reasonable.. then spotted P&P at £49.99 !!!!!!

Obviously they have less commission to pay to EBAY by keeping the goods cheap. They make all their profit in the P&P..
Why rip people off??

scheming_gypsy · 4 November 2004 at 6:25PM

Scrouge... sometimes it's worth looking where you're buying it from... I've noticed a lot of international sellers do that, but on the good side, if it's an international seller then you're going to save on the duty.

soolin · 4 November 2004 at 6:54PM

If people want to charge excessive post and packing then let them, no one is forcing us to bid on their auctions. In fact, maybe we should all start to ignore any auctions where the P and P is excessive, that should ensure that sellers would have to amend their practice to stay in business.

Soo

Seller adding Paypal Surcharge - what should I do?

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