UKC

Just opened a PayPal account as requested by several buyers of gear which I'm clearing out.

Tried to check out what it costs to use it before signing up (cos you rarely get somethin for nothin) and it seemed to me that buyers and sellers were not subject to a fee provided that they used a nominated bank account.

Have now made a few sales of my spare kit, only to find that I have to pay a fee (of £3.60 on a £100 payment), of which the buyer was unaware. However, someone else 'gifted' me which resulted in the full amount being debited.

My account is 'Premier', which PayPal pushed me into in order to send and accept payments.

Having searched again I find that a charge of 3.4% plus £0.20 is levied on payments received. If I'd have known this I wouldn't have signed up.

Anyone else know the score ? Have I got the wrong type of account?

Personally, I'd be happy being sent a cheque, but everyone seems to assume that you have PayPal.

Advice please if you can.

Rich.

In reply to jalapeno:

This can be a pain in the arse, maybe bank transfer is better.

In reply to jalapeno:

I had so much hassle (not to mention downright lies) from PayPal when I tried to set up an account, I dcided not to bother. I'll just work out other ways to buy/sell stuff.

In reply to jalapeno:

I always use the gift option on paypal

In reply to jalapeno:

The buyer pays nothing, the seller a maximum of 3.4% +20p decreasing depending on turnover. Same for all accounts nowadays.

How much easier could Paypal have made it to find out, it is logically under fee structure? They also provide a fee calculator for the challenged.

In reply to jalapeno:
I think if you send someone money using the gift option the sender pays the fee not the recipiant, if you send money the usual way the recipiant pays the fee not the sender.
ebay own paypal or paypal own ebay one of the 2, and they are based overseas, Luxenburg possibly? with a call centre in Ireland. check out complaints and stories on the consumer action group forum! Basically if you are honest about what you are selling on ebay and can live with the fees its okay. Unless sellers on UKC ask to be paid by paypal then bank transfer is the mainly instant and free solution these days and there is still good old postal order, cheque and cash via recorded delivery

In reply to jimtitt: I asked for advice, not insults

In reply to blanchie14c:

Not so. Again, it's on the Fees link, regarding personal payments:

It's free when you use your PayPal balance or your bank account linked to your PayPal account. There is a charge of 3.4% + £0.20 GBP for debit or credit card payments (either the sender or recipient can pay this fee).

It really isn't that difficult to find this information on their site and - contrary to what the OP seems to think - saying so is hardly insulting.

In reply to jalapeno: It is quite clear what their charges are. And really, £3.60 or so to send £100 isn't exaclty outrageous of them, considering they ARE a business. And it's free if you do a transfer from you bank rather than your debit card, IF it's a personal payment.

It's not as though they're mugging people in the streets!

In reply to jalapeno:
You mean you came on a public forum to admit you signed a contract with a financial institution without knowing what it costs and didn´t appreciate a subtle jibe!!!

In reply to jalapeno:

Paypal is easy once you get used to it. The tactic I use is (In this order)

1) I want X amount for the item I am selling
2) I will use one of the many online paypal calculators to work out how much I have to charge including fees for me to receive X amount.
3) If the buyer does not want to pay what I want they have two options:

3a - Dont try and buy the item I am selling. I am not a stressed seller so no bartering etc.

3b - pay in a different format i.e bank transfer, cash, postal order, meet me and pay direct, cheque etc

It is frustrating though, how everyone just assumes that you are willing to accept Paypal. I have buyers try to force me in to using paypal my response is its my item, I do not need to sell so I dicatate the sale.

Only if I desperately need the money do I allow people to haggle.

In reply to jalapeno:

It costs but you are paying for a service. The benefits are that a lot of people use it, it can be super quick and it is secure.


Chris

In reply to jalapeno:

Just use the paypal gift option. Buyer pays no fees, seller pays no fees.
Simple.

In reply to Andy Mountains:


Down side is that the buyer then gets no protection.