PayPal add-on fee right here!!!

[Double "D" Reptiles]

I took the following ad right off of the classifieds only a moment ago. You'd think that with all the posts in recent months about how wrong this is...in so many different ways...that folks who frequent this site would refuse to suggest that the buyer add an extra 3% or so to cover their end fee. So, you decide for yourselves.

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CB Adult Breeding size FEMALES!!!
I just purchased a group of CB adult females from a professional breeder. These are NOT imports, NOT WC, NOT LTC, and not burned out breeders. They are all CB right here in the U.S. These are clean females that range from 1600-2000 grams. Check my references on this site.
I can't keep them all so a few are available. I will provide pics of each on a scale ASAP. I will not be able to ship any out until next week. Shipping is extra, Next Day service.
I'm considering offers over $400. These females should breed for you this year,no problem. I'm counting on this from my keepers that are all in the same weight range.
PayPal (+3%) or US Postal Money Order
Thanks for reading my post
John Quinones aka John Q
_______________________________

Yep, I highlighted the blatant violation of PayPal's TOS. I've never met John and don't know enough to say anything about his animals, quality of service or basic business practices other than what I see posted occassionally. But, I refuse to consider any animals which are sold with this practice in place. Won't even look twice.

David

 

[MGReptiles]

I know of several breeders that charge that fee. Even if your shopping on ebay youll see it. I used to do it but have since stopped. Its more of a hassle than it is worth. I was thinking today why dosent paypal just charge a monthly fee and then tack on extras for larger items...HHMMM maby we shoudl start a petition...lol
-Matt Graybeal

 

[Vince]

maybe he was just not aware that its against paypal TOS? did you email him and let him know? most just add that amount to the S & H charge. alot of people just see others doing it and thinks it is the norm.

 

[Bighaze]

I might be showing my age here, but do you all remember when gas stations would charge $.05 more per gallon for credit cards? The gas stations that had the same price cash or credit, got most the sales, and sooner or later they all stoped charging the extra $.05.

To tell the truth I see why you would add the 3%, I'm not saying it's right, but I do understand why one would do it.

I think most people add it in some how, shipping, or in the price of the snake, Like if you have bad credit and go to a buy here, pay here for a car, you don't pay any interest on the loan, it's already figured in the price of the car.


To someone like me 3% isn't alot, but if your selling snakes that go for $2500, then 3% is $75, I don't know too many people that want to just give away $75(If you do just e-mail me and I'll be happy to take it lol).

Like I said I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but I do understand why some one would add it.

 

[SPJ]

The add on fee is a deal killer.
If I see that in the ad, I ignore it and go elsewhere.
There is no reason to charge the extra.
It is a cost of doing business.

I prefer paypal for payments and would NEVER ask for the additional money.

Too many people are starting to add it on because they can get away with it. It is a violation of the TOS and IMO shows bad business practices.

Charge waht you are willing to take for the animal when you take into account the paypal fee.
OR
Charge a minimal box charge (it better be a brand new box if you use this option) to cover the packing and paypal fees.

No matter what, I will not deal with anyone who charge the paypal fee. That is a cost for the seller, not the buyer.

 

[Bighaze]

It's like I said the ones that didn't add the $.05 per gal, got the most sales.



I would also not deal with someone who says they will add the 3%, but I can see why they do it. yea it is the cost of doing business. just like how you got to pay to take credit cards.

Would it be wrong to give a 3% discount to people who pay with a postal MO?

Just asking, Like I said I'm not saying whats right or wrong!

 

[ms_terese]

The add on fee is a deal killer.
If I see that in the ad, I ignore it and go elsewhere.
There is no reason to charge the extra.
It is a cost of doing business.

I agree completely. As a buyer, I will never consider doing business with someone who goes against PayPal's TOS like that, nor would I ever consider trying to make up that 3% elsewhere when I sell an animal. Things such as Visa/MC fees, PayPal fees, shipping supplies, etc. all have to be figured into your sale price for animals that you sell. It's Business Management 101.

While I don't think it's wrong to offer a discount for a money order, is it worth waiting 5-7 days for that other 3%? How long do you wait for the money? If they're required to send it NDA, they really won't be saving anything. If not, you can wait a week or two while hearing "it's in the mail" and lose other prospective buyers.

 

[Bighaze]

Yea I see what your saying. 3% isn't alot and I don't think the wait would be worth it.

I'm a few years from selling,breeders got to get old enough, but I do see what your saying.

When I do sell I'm not going to ask for 3% or give a discount for mo's.

It was just a thought I had.

Take care!

 

[NEWReptiles]

When I see that BS about adding 3% I instantly make the decision NOT to deal with that seller.

I just had a guy try to stick me on a trade deal worth about 8 grand. It was a trade plus cash deal and the fee was only $60, but I told him to take a hike. So over a $60 fee the guy lost a $8,000 deal.

I will not deal with ANY seller that tries for the extra 3%

The add on fee is a deal killer.

WELL SAID !

 

[Double "D" Reptiles]

Thanks

Well, even though I suppose I started this in the wrong forum (the BOI) since it was moved almost as soon as it was posted, I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I see some folks chiming in who's opinions I pay attention to due to their apparant maturity and carefully planned business methods and ethics. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

David

 

[dwedeking]

That is a cost for the seller, not the buyer.

All costs are for the buyer. It's how the game's rules were written. Now to make it more palatable most of those costs are wrapped into the cost of the item sold. I buy an animal for X amount. Then I take the shipping charges to get him to me. That's my true cost. Then figure out how long I'll have him, figure out tank costs, feeding, electricty, time to clean tank, paper towel costs for cleaning tank, new substrate, water for the animal, costs for the deli cup when he's sold, cost for the packing paper around him in the box, cost of the box, cost of the tape, cost of the label (we do a "live reptiles" label for our boxes), cost of my time boxing animal, cost of advertising the animal for sale, any financing fees. Then I figure in a percentage that I'd like to take home at the end of the day to have a place to sleep, eat and shower. ALLLLLLL of this you pay for as a consumer.

Consumers like to see just one price and get upset when you have "additional" charges. Logically it's 6 one way and half a dozen the other.

With all that said, I get aggro when I see that stupid little "add 3% for paypal" at the end of an ad as well and move on to the next guy just to "show the seller". Logically I know it's no different than wrapping it into the cost of the animal but the same it doesn't sit well.

 

[John Q Reptiles]

PayPal Fees, Deal Killer, All Cost for the Buyer!

Well, I sat back long enough to let those with an opinion respond to Davids post. It's nice to see that a few people felt strongly enough about this issue to share their opinion. It's also been educational because I didn't realize so many buyers considered it a deal killer. I take pride in the fact that I'm willing to look at any issue from both sides of the fence. I see that a few of you feel exactly like I do as a consumer. We have choices, we have options, and we can choose to not do business with a particular individual or store. We just get upset about different issues. Some of you feel that the 3% fee is wrong, unreasonable, etc. I get upset about sellers that pad the price and shipping cost. That's one of the deal killers for me. As well as shipping via Delta only. Some stores clearly advertise "cash" price and will accept a credit card for payment but charge an additional fee. I offer my stock for considerably less than many others. Check my colubrid prices and compare. I don't have box fees, cold pack / heat pack fees, etc. In fact, because I don't make money on the boxes I get for free at work or the cold/heat packs that I get for as little as 50 cents, I charge actual shipping cost rounded off to the nearest $5 increment, I make sales that others lose. These sales are the ones that nickel and dime me through PayPal. As an example, a single corn, shipped next day, total cost $35. There's nothing there in terms of profit and then consider the PayPal minimum fee. It's mostly the minimum fees that are the killer when you add them up at the end of the season. I could raise my prices, pad them, or pad the shipping and handling but I don't think anybody would be happy to see a box fee and then receive their snake in a used box. Someone posted "cost of doing business". I'm not a business, I'm not a professional breeder, I'm a hobbyist with a full time day job. The small fees add up and either come out of my pocket or the buyers. I could say that I charge the 3% because I am asked to pay it. In fact, I have covered the 3% fee on almost every purchase this year. I paid it every time I was asked to cover it, even when it was not clearly posted in the ad. As a parent, I don't accept it when my kids tell me that everybody else is/was doing it! So I'm not going to say I charge the fee because everybody else is. I cover it because if there is a snake that I really want or NEED, I'm not going to miss out over 3%. As an example, adding $30 to the purchase of my ghost male wasn't going to stop me from buying that snake. It wasn't enough to be a deal killer. Look at the total cost, is it still a better deal? If I don't agree with a sellers terms, I let them know, and try to work out a deal. The only way the seller is going to know is if I tell him. It's no different than going to a customer service rep or manager at a local business and letting them know you are not a happy customer. As a customer I ALWAYS give the seller / manager the opportunity to make me happy and make me their customer. You would be surprised how often the issue can be resolved and both parties can be happy. I do understand that total cost is not the only consideration. Sometimes it's just a matter of principle. I feel this way about Walmart. I never do business at Walmart even though I know they'll have the product I want and at a lower price. Some of you have made it clear that it's not the extra few dollars, it's a matter of principle. This will make me rethink my policy of passing the fee onto the buyer.
David, I responded to your post and said that I would waive the fee. The offer still stands and I'll extend that offer to anyone that ask. If that's not good enough, then your just bitching to bitch. I'm reasonable and willing to work with any customer but if your just interested in bitching, can't help you.

 

[Seamus Haley]

If that's not good enough, then your just bitching to bitch. I'm reasonable and willing to work with any customer but if your just interested in bitching, can't help you.

Yeah! Paypal terms of service and state laws in most areas be damned! Y'all don't know me! Y'all don't know me! Stop hatin'!

Wait... hang on a second, is someone actually trying to defend the practice of violating user agreements and laws regarding financial transactions with some sorry line about how that three percent is killing their profit margins? Bwahahahahaha!

If a seller doesn't want to either eat the three percent (as a cost of business and a convenience for their customers) or cover it with slightly increased prices to begin with then guess what their option is... DON'T ACCEPT PAYPAL! You have really got to be sub-par in the brains department to hit a public message board and not just admit a negative practice of your own but to defend it and potentially encourage others to do the same... You really must not want to accept paypal as a method of payment eh? I mean considering that all it would take is one honest individual who disagrees with your practices sending a copy of such a 3% request to paypal's account abuse department (or whatever they may call it) to have the entire account yanked away from you, never to return...

Bottom line is that the 3% fee is a violation of your user agreement with Paypal and is outright illegal in many areas, the only people who are going to be requesting such 3% fees are those who simply aren't worth doing business with or those who didn't bother to read the agreement when setting up their account (who would, being honest people making honest mistakes, correct any such transactions immediately and never request the 3% add on again).

 

[John Q Reptiles]

Obviously your not understanding my response

Clearly your not understanding my response so I'll try again. I did offer to immediately correct the issue. As stated in the classifieds I offered to waive the fee which means NO CHARGE. I also stated that I would rethink the policy of passing the fee onto the buyer which means I won't be asking the buyer to cover the fee. When my new post come out they will be corrected. I also admitted it was wrong and used an example of "everybody else doing it". I also clearly stated that I'm not a business but a hobbyist. As well as stating that it's not the 3 % fee it's the minimal charge fees on small transactions that far exceed 3 % that add up to too much.
You continue to make references to being honest. Breaking down the total cost is being honest. Padding the sale price, padding the shipping fee, and adding in box fees to the point of making a profit on shipping and handling is dishonest. I made it clear that I do not do that to offset the paypal fee. If you bothered to read the BOI you would see that my customers are satisfied and that I am an HONEST person. My response was not in defense of the practice but an explanation from another point of view. I also admitted this was a learning experience because I was not aware that so many people would rather see a higher price on a snake than see a request to cover the paypal charge.
I guess I just can't make everybody happy but I did try.

 

[SPJ]

Here is a moron who I would NEVER do business with.
Check out the extra fees.

**SHIPPING** : I CHARGE ACTUAL SHIPPING COSTS FOR NEXT DAY AIR PLUS A $6.00 PACKING FEE. SHIPPING COSTS WILL BE DETERMINED AFTER THE SALE. MOST ARE $25.00 TO $45.00 DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE. I CAN ONLY SHIP INSIDE THE US.I ACCEPT PAYPAL AND MONEY ORDERS, PLEASE ADD 5% TO ALL PAYPAL PAYMENTS TO COVER MY EXTRA COSTS AS I DO NOT HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT SET UP YET AND AM USING A FRIENDS AND THEY ARE CHARGING ME. ALL REPTILES ARE GUARANTEED HEALTHY AND FREE OF PARASITES. I DEAL ONLY WITH CAPTIVE BORN, NO WILD CAUGHT. IF YOU HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS YOU CAN E-MAIL ME AT [email protected]

Packing fee plus 5% for paypal.
Sounds like BS as far the "friend" charging then to use their paypal account. It's free to set up a paypal account so why use someone elses?