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Watch out for forced use of PAYPAL on EBAY
Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:10 am
by N8PS
When I attempt to 'bid' on items on EBAY I've discovered that my 'bid' will NOT be accepted unless I have an active PAYPAL account. I don't trust PAYPAL and have been burned in the past -- Now apparently so are other buyers on EBAY.
I contacted several 'sellers' who advised that they accept other forms of payment. They even advised that when they 'set-up' the payment terms for their auction they had specifically allowed other forms of payment. However, when they checked back on their own postings, they discovered that EBAY had made a change and made PAYPAL the only acceptable form of payment. These 'sellers' were unaware that EBAY had done this until they checked it out for themselves.
My point: Beware of PAYPAL being forced upon you. Remember EBAY does own PAYPAL!
73 ES GL
de Phil - N8PS
ebay
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:56 am
by w8jn
i have been inactive on ebay for two years. i came back and found out that when i try to sell something i must accept paypal only. seems like a monoply since ebay owns paypal. i am forced to pay pay pal a % of the transaction. what a con job.
Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:36 pm
by lhk0pd
I've sold a item recently and the buyer offered me a M.O. and no problem.Yes E Bay requires you use Pay Pal but as far as i know if your selling you can state in your ad M.O.preferred or you can notify the seller your willing to pay by M.O. so it seems to me just a small hurdle to over come.
EBAY and bidding
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 3:38 am
by N8PS
As a buyer, how can you make the 'winning bid' to pay with a Money Order , if you can't bid without a PAYPAL account.
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:39 pm
by lhk0pd
N8PS if i understood your comment question when as a buyer and you win, pay pal can not automactically take your money you have to give them the money. As a buyer just ask the seller if he will accept a M.O. or bank CK and let the seller decide.
EBAY and bidding
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:51 pm
by N8PS
You certainly misunderstood:
I am UNABLE to bid AT ALL because you MUST now have a PAYPAL account in order to make a bid.
How possibly can I 'win' a bid if I am denied permission to bid? The seller never knows that I was trying to enter a bid and surely without being allowed to enter a bid -- how ever can I 'win'?
Here's how it works. I want to place a bid, so I press the button which takes me to a bid entry screen. When I enter my bid amount it is required that I indicate the payment means. THE ONLY CHOICE GIVEN IS PAYPAL.
If I press that choice, it tells me that I don't have PAYPAL account and takes me to a PAYPAL application. Either I open a PAYPAL account (which I will never again do) or the whole potential bid is canceled there and then.
Do you understand what I am trying to tell you? PAYPAL-> forced or no bid!
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:16 pm
by K4ICL
Here is what it says on eBay. Go and look for it yourself if you like.
Choosing a payment method (for buyers)
In this article
PayPal
Credit / Debit cards
ProPay
Pay upon pickup
Escrow
Other payment methods
How you pay for an item depends on the payment methods accepted by the seller. Every seller is unique and offers different methods of payment. Read the item description before you bid to find out what methods the seller accepts. Most sellers accept PayPal because it transfers funds immediately and they don’t have to wait for funds to clear before shipping your item.
Clicking the Pay Now button is the fastest way to pay on eBay. Payment methods available using the Pay Now button include PayPal and ProPay. Learn more about how to pay.
When choosing a payment method, look for options that are convenient, secure, and traceable in case of problems. Use the table below to compare payment methods.
Payment method
Highlights
PayPal
PayPal is the preferred payment method for most eBay buyers and sellers. PayPal lets you send payments quickly and securely online using a credit card or bank account.
Learn more about paying with PayPal.
Advantages
√ Payment is traceable. You can track the status of your payment using My eBay or your PayPal account.
√ Payment is immediate and convenient. You pay directly from the item listing page and payment is deposited directly into the seller's account.
√ Does not require you to use your credit card online. You can transfer directly from your bank account.
√ If you use a credit card, sellers don't see your credit card number. It is safely encrypted through PayPal's server so that the risk of unauthorized use is limited.
√ Offers PayPal Buyer Protection that covers up to the full purchase price and original shipping charges on eligible transactions (see eligibility).
Credit card / debit card
Some sellers accept credit card payments through an internet merchant account.
Advantages
√ Payment is traceable. You can track the status of your payment using My eBay or your credit card account.
√ Payment is immediate and convenient. You pay directly from the item listing page and the seller receives notification of the credit card payment.
√ Provides limited liability coverage. Credit card companies typically provide some level of identity and purchase protection. Contact your credit card company to learn more.
Disadvantages
X You must provide your credit card information.
ProPay
Lets sellers accept credit cards without an Internet merchant account.
Advantages
√ Through ProPay, you are using your credit card and the advantages are the same as if you used your credit card through an Internet merchant account.
Disadvantages
X ProPay does not have separate buyer or seller protection plans. Because you will be using your credit card, check with your credit card provider for protection terms and conditions.
Pay upon pickup
In addition to other allowed payment methods, sellers can also offer this option.
Advantages
√ Opportunity to inspect item in person at time of payment
√ Saves effort and cost of shipping.
√ Buyers may choose whatever payment method seller specifies in the listing, including checks, money orders, cash, PayPal, or credit card.
Disadvantages
X Must coordinate pickup location and time with seller
X Some sellers have a surcharge for pickup.
X Slower than electronic payment methods
X Protection varies by payment method.
X Important to manually document with receipt and proof of delivery. partner.
Escrow
Recommended for high-priced items. For eBay transactions, you should use only our approved escrow companies. Learn more about how escrow works and which sites are e-Bay approved.
Advantages
√ Payment is held by the escrow service until you receive and approve the item.
Disadvantages
X There have been reports of fraudulent sellers using nonexistent escrow companies, so make sure you verify any escrow service other than eBay’s recommended escrow partner.
Other payment methods
Checks, money orders, and bank wire transfers are not allowed for most eBay purchases.
However, sellers may offer these payment methods for certain categories of items including vehicles, capital and business equipment, real estate, and Adult Only items.
For specific exceptions, see our Accepted Payments policy.
Advantages
√ Checks and money orders are traceable to a particular mailing address and provides proof of payment.
√ For checks, most banks offer a stop payment service if problems arise before the check is cashed. Some money order services might also have the option to stop payment if problems arise before the payment is cashed.
√ For bank transfers, payment is immediately deposited into the seller’s account.
Disadvantages
X For checks, sellers must wait for funds to clear.
X Payment is extremely difficult to recover in cases of fraud.
Important: Sellers may not ask or require you to pay by payment methods that aren’t allowed on eBay, for example, cash or instant cash wire transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram. For more information on safe payment methods, see our Accepted Payments policy. You are only obligated to pay the seller using one of the payment methods specified in the eBay listing. If the seller wants to change payment methods after the listing has ended, you can insist on paying with one of the methods stated in the listing.
K4ICL
Note
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:30 pm
by N8PS
In the case of the item that I was trying to bid upon, the seller's info specified that several methods were acceptable.
When PAYPAL was the only acceptable way to bid, I contacted the seller who later informed me (after reviewing his own ad) that EBAY/PAYPAL had recently changed these formerly acceptable terms without their knowledge.
Point: EBAY can post whatever they want -- read it if you like -- but who says what they present is currently accurate. I read their stuff, and what they say is NOT what is happening in reality.
skype
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:43 pm
by ae6or
Be aware that they are using SKYPE as tracking device; it is like a Trojan horse in your computer which is monitoring all your doings trough ebay page and more.
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:04 pm
by lhk0pd
I do understand them wanting you to at least have a pay pal acct as you can maybe consider it a security for them and the seller. If one was going to sell a lot on e bay i would think you would give them a separate acct and not your primary as a matter of good business practice. I for one when i sell any thing of value such as a ham radio keep all shipping information and require a signature as i learned from one customer i sold to the famous Martyn(Radio-Mart) who sells and buys reguraly on E Bay when he tried to get his money back claiming he never received the Radio but my UPS records showed his wife signed for it and Pay Pal quickly dismissed his claim and he did Apologize but that so far has been my close call but a lesson well remembered.My final comment on all this is if your not trusting of e bay and pay pal then just do not use it or you could always send them a letter sharing your concerns,like who knows they might re think there policy.