Is it me or has anyone else noticed that eBay is now trying to place all payments on their outrageously expensive pay pal card? You can still click to have funds drawn from your bank, but there is a notice that funds to the seller will take upwards of a week to be posted to their acount. I have also noticed that selecting the bank option is quite slow thus possibly driving some to go back to the card choice.
If this is now their policy, I'm gone from this venue as this would be the last straw for me. I stopped selling brass about three years ago, when I figured in my time along with their fees and came up with a bit over a 27% cost. I can wholesale this stuff to a dealer for less 30%. My time was figured at a mere $25 per hour which included taking the photos, writing description, computer stuff, packaging, and cost of box. emails, and trips to PO. as I stopped using UPS.
Or am I misreading the whole thing? I am sort of a relic, and could be becoming a bit cantankerous.
HZ
I've just completed eBay order, and the choices were the same as before. First of course is the PayPal balance/Card, then bank account and only last choice is Credit card. First choice always highlighted. I always have to remember to change to credit card, but the speed of the switch over was the same for me, as always. I hope what you experienced was a glitch, but yea, eBay is getting long in the tooth with they slow increase in fees. But it gets you the audience, and it's still outweighs the negatives.
Howard Zane Is it me or has anyone else noticed that eBay is now trying to place all payments on their outrageously expensive pay pal card? You can still click to have funds drawn from your bank, but there is a notice that funds to the seller will take upwards of a week to be posted to their acount. I have also noticed that selecting the bank option is quite slow thus possibly driving some to go back to the card choice. If this is now their policy, I'm gone from this venue as this would be the last straw for me. I stopped selling brass about three years ago, when I figured in my time along with their fees and came up with a bit over a 27% cost. I can wholesale this stuff to a dealer for less 30%. My time was figured at a mere $25 per hour which included taking the photos, writing description, computer stuff, packaging, and cost of box. emails, and trips to PO. as I stopped using UPS. Or am I misreading the whole thing? I am sort of a relic, and could be becoming a bit cantankerous. HZ
Howard,
I stopped selling stuff on ebay nearly a decade ago. Frankly, my opinion of ebay is unprintable. I still do buy quite a bit of stuff from ebay, but I won't sell there again, and I have no idea why anybody else does. To say that ebay is a pig would be a vast understatement and an insult to pigs everywhere. Feel free to send me a direct email and I'll give you my unvarnished opinion.
John
Pigs?
That's pretty harsh. I am surprised that the forum admins didn't tone down the title of your rant.
I have used eBay for years, as both a buyer and a seller. In my experience, eBay replaced my years long use of classified ads in the local newspaper to buy and sell stuff.
eBay, for all of its faults, is a marvelous tool for bringing buyers and sellers together across the entire country.
As another reply noted, the policies and procedures that you were brooding over have remained unchanged for quite awhile.
Rich
Alton Junction
Howard,I'm confused..
Why go to the post office when the mail man will pick up your shipment? Why are you buying shipping boxes when flat rate priority mail boxes are free? You can order supplies on line from USPS and even pay flat rate shipping charges on line..
You can get a 20 cubic foot bag of shipping peanuts for $25.00.
Costs of e-mails?
I have shipped a lot of items by USPS without hassles and the last 2 shipment was picked up by my carrier when he delivered my mail.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
E-bay IS and HAS been becoming more expensive.
People complain about additional shipping charges added to a e-tailer's bill when they order from an online "LHS".
Well, E-bay is NO DIFFERENT. Ebay sellers want higher prices to deal with their fees to ebay, and ebay is setting up it's own expensive rules and regs.
That is one reason I won't buy on e-bay, or evil-bay, or e-slay or whatever token name you wnat to call it.
Ebay sellers wil charge you for a box, bubble wrap, gas to PO and time to PO to mail you your precious "winning". Most e-tailers charge one fee that will cover all that {may be in additon to the cost of shipping alone}
But to each his own. There are those who swear by e-bay and wouldn't buy anywhere else.
Others, like me won't go near it.
Caveat emptor, buyer beware.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Let's see. You say it would cost you 30% at a hobby shop and 27% through EBay and E Bay are pigs. Interesting.
As an Ebay seller, I can't tell you enough about the nightmares of selling. I've learned to add 100% refund plus shipping to items because I don't want to get a bad rating, yet I've still had people complain about the merchandise that I've sent them. I had one guy complain that he loved the item that I sent him and then leave me a neutral rating. Another guy complained that the item fell apart when he received it and demanded that I send him $100 for repairs. When I offered him a refund, he sent me a profanity laced tirade and called me a crook. I've learned that people would rather complain than fix a problem.
For what it's worth, EBay is a way of getting hard to find merchandise tax free. If the seller is charging too much for shipping, then don't buy it. If you are buying several items, ask for combined shipping.
The real crook on EBay is the US Post Office. Everyone thinks that the Flat Rate Priority Boxes are less expensive, but you have to check. That shipping rate is often more expensive than other forms of shipping. I would love to use FedEx, DHL, or UPS, but unfortunately, if my buyers aren't home when the delivery comes a few times, then they have to go the shipping center which is usually a long drive and often not in the best part of town. The post office is usually nearby in everyone's neighborhood or town.
I prefer to go to my LHS (OK, my LHS is Trainworld, so I'm already buying my stuff cheaper), but I still have to go to EBay for my diecast Varney Docksiders and Central Locomotive Works valve gear.
__________________________________________________________________
Mike Kieran
Port Able Railway
I just do what the majority of the voices in my head vote on.
Howard, You might try the HO yard sale group on Yahoo groups. It's free and all details of the sale are between you and the customer. It's become a pretty popular site for buying and selling HO items and there are few complaints from either side. there are quite a few former Ebay dealers on the site as well. Since it's free you might want to look into it. -Stan
B&O1952 Howard, You might try the HO yard sale group on Yahoo groups. It's free and all details of the sale are between you and the customer. It's become a pretty popular site for buying and selling HO items and there are few complaints from either side. there are quite a few former Ebay dealers on the site as well. Since it's free you might want to look into it. -Stan
I agree, it's a very pleasant place to buy and sell.
I apologize for the rant. I should have taken this up directly with eBay. I am getting a bit crotchity in my later years. Also, about USPS flat rate boxes.......they are fine if what you are shipping allows a fit with ample padding on all 6 sides. Shipping a large brass loco requires a much larger box and room should be left for wrapiing loco box with bubble wrap then a minimum of 2" of padding on all 6 sides.
It is very easy to avoid sellers with high shipping and handling fees on eBay. Just don't bid!
There are many sellers offering excellent value and service on eBay. Deals can be had every day if you are careful and know what you are bidding on. In fact I would say that there are deals to be had on eBay that are simply impossible to access otherwise. $3 for 100 warm white 3mm LED's with resistors including shipping from Hong Kong, a purchase I made last month, for example. Not exactly a rip off on shipping I think?
Look, feel free to dismiss eBay, but don't lump all sellers into one group and dismiss the place because of a bad deal or two. The behavior and practice of one seller has no relationship to the behavior and practice of another. Using the same logic, if you get ripped off at one store in a strip-mall would you refuse to purchase from any of the other stores in the mall?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I quit using ebay a long time ago, when they only accepted paypal (guess who owns paypal) I contacted sellers asking if they would accept bank money orders (which can be cashed the same day) and the sellers replied ebay tells them only to accept paypal, and small parcels sent to Canada from the U.S. can be sent for $5 to $7 and these sellers were charging $24.00. what we need is another system like ebay only not run on a greed basis.
Mike Kieran The real crook on EBay is the US Post Office. Everyone thinks that the Flat Rate Priority Boxes are less expensive, but you have to check. That shipping rate is often more expensive than other forms of shipping. I would love to use FedEx, DHL, or UPS, but unfortunately, if my buyers aren't home when the delivery comes a few times, then they have to go the shipping center which is usually a long drive and often not in the best part of town. The post office is usually nearby in everyone's neighborhood or town.
here's a tidbit of info some may not know on priority shipping from the USPS.....
If you use the flat rate box as provided it's about $11 to ship.
Take the same box and wrap it in plain brown paper then ship it priority mail and the cost is about 20% less.
Yes, boys and girls all priority rates are not created equal at the USPS. You really have to watch and be careful when shipping.
Plus many ebay sellers pad the shipping costs since ebay/paypal doesn't deduct fees from the postage costs. That's why you see some ridiculous postage prices on ebay. The seller is recouping their fees via postage. It's against ebay policy but how are you going to prove it?
Ebay definitely favors buyers. Sellers are hit with fees from all sides.
-G-
Wrong forum Dude.
Go to the ebay forums. Sigh.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Mike Kieran For what it's worth, EBay is a way of getting hard to find merchandise tax free.
For what it's worth, EBay is a way of getting hard to find merchandise tax free.
Not in Ohio, Mike. We have to report any tax-free merchandise that we've purchased on our state tax returns each year. It's called Ohio Use Tax. I would be very curious what percentage of folks in Ohio actually report it.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Illinois use tax, a new line item on the 2010 State tax return. What a mind bogglng pain in the rear to keep track of all on-line purchases over a year!
Thank You Lateral G,
If I were selling HO, the shipping fees would be a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, I'm selling my father's O scale equipment. This means that shipping is usually a minimum of $5 and can range up to $20. Still not the worst case scenario since it's also tax free. A $100 engine would cost $8.25 in taxes plus shipping from an online hobby shop.
USPS has some kind of formula where size and weight are figured in. The problem is that a package may be 1lb and be 12x9x2 and cost more than a package that weighs 3lbs and is 6x4x5. What I do is go on the USPS website and plug in the size & weight, then post the postage. If a customer buys multiple items, I try to combine shipping. It doesn't always work out.
I really believe that Priority Flat Rate came about because of businesses like Amazon or Walmart (you want to talk about scams?) that benefit from sending standard size shipping boxes packed with books (anyone remember how much your book bags weighed in school?). One shipping charge, multiple products shipped.
Lateral G is right though. EBay definitely favors the buyers.
Simon,
Ohio has been doing it for a number of years now. I just keep tabs of my online purchases in Excel - i.e. which ones I was taxed or not taxed for.
Since you usually receive an e-mail from Paypal or the manufacturer acknowledging your purchase, I keep a yearly folder labeled "20yy Internet purchases" in my e-mail program as a backup recorder. I don't find it that big of a headache.
Mike Kieran I really believe that Priority Flat Rate came about because of businesses like Amazon or Walmart (you want to talk about scams?) that benefit from sending standard size shipping boxes packed with books (anyone remember how much your book bags weighed in school?). One shipping charge, multiple products shipped.
There are ways to save on that, too, Mike. I often go with Supersaver. I may have to wait a little extra to receive my item. However, I don't pay shipping. And...sometimes...I get the item as fast as if it were sent standard shipping.
Just to let you know Lateral, covering the free Priority boxes with brown paper, or using it any other fashion can be considered trying to fraud the postal service. Would they prosecute? Who knows. I have seen them catch the priority boxes turned inside out (before they stamped USPS on the inside, and charge the recipient the extra postage.
tstage and simon1966,
How do the states know what and how much you purchased on EBay?
Back in the 90's, "America's Mayor" , Rudy Giuliani, used to send his minions to New Jersey shopping malls, copy down New York City Resident's license plate numbers, and send them threatening letters because they were shopping in New Jersey and paying 3% sales tax versus New York City's 8.25% sales tax.
I got my notice because I was staying at my cousin's house that weekend and we went out to eat at a local mall.
Hi!
Similar to my comment to the OP in his rant about the NMRA, I say, "if you don't like Ebay, don't use them", and go on to other business.
I've been an active buyer/seller on Ebay since day one with almost 900 transactions (725 total feedbacks). As both a buyer and a seller, I find the inclusion of Paypal to be a boon to both. The security and ease of payment - or getting paid - is a great plus. Yup, as a seller you do get bit by it, but you also get a lot more bids as folks will use credit cards more freely than cash.
All that being said, the OP can have whatever opinion he chooses, but why stir up things on this forum?
Oh, I have to echo Richotrain........... If others - without books or layout articles in their portfolio - had written a similar rant, I do believe they would have been chastised - severely !!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Mike Kieran tstage and simon1966, How do the states know what and how much you purchased on EBay?
AFAIK right now they don't. However the nice letter explaining the new line on the Illinois form indicated that $0 would be a flag for an audit. I suspect it won't be long before the states require the Amazon's, Ebay's and others to issue their customer lists!!
EBay was mentioning this issue a few months ago. If the states want money, then they should concentrate on finding ways to raise money legally and how to cut frivolous spending instead of wasting taxpayer money trying to come up with new scams (but that's another forum thread).
Mike,
At the moment It's done by the honor system. I will agree with Simon though. Someday in the near future that will probably change as merchants will be required to report all online purchase "purchasers" (and their amounts) to the IRS.
I'm sure that'll definitely add some logistical headaches for IRS and state workers.
novicerr Just to let you know Lateral, covering the free Priority boxes with brown paper, or using it any other fashion can be considered trying to fraud the postal service. Would they prosecute? Who knows. I have seen them catch the priority boxes turned inside out (before they stamped USPS on the inside, and charge the recipient the extra postage.
USPS has to have a good reason to unwrap your package. You still have to pay postage. I send my stuff out in boxes that I bought from U-line so that I don't have to wrap anything. Just pack it, tape it, and ship it.
mobilman44 Oh, I have to echo Richotrain........... If others - without books or layout articles in their portfolio - had written a similar rant, I do believe they would have been chastised - severely !!!
And that can only be accomplished if the moderators are made aware of it. That's what the Report Abuse option is for. I know that they have at least one so far...
Mike Kieran tstage and simon1966, How do the states know what and how much you purchased on EBay? Back in the 90's, "America's Mayor" , Rudy Giuliani, used to send his minions to New Jersey shopping malls, copy down New York City Resident's license plate numbers, and send them threatening letters because they were shopping in New Jersey and paying 3% sales tax versus New York City's 8.25% sales tax. I got my notice because I was staying at my cousin's house that weekend and we went out to eat at a local mall.
But, if you haven't noticed, years ago NYS added a line you cannot enter "0" on that is for sales and use taxes on the NYS income tax form. One can either keep track of all purchases made out of NYS and pay the "exact amount due" OR can choose to use the handy-dandy-spiffy-and-spandy Chart that gives you an amount to pay based on your AGI. The lowest amount is $5.00 if your income is like $25K or less. It is like $50.00 if you make like $100k AGI/year. COmputerized forms will enter that amount for you, and you CANNOT enter "0" on the line manually or YOU WILL GET AUDITED AUTOMATICALLY. If you claim less than the handy-dandy-spiffy-and-spandy chart You had better be prepared to pull out ALL RECIEPTs to "prove" otherwise.
It was NYS's former way of increasing revenue. Now they want you to buy the new license plates, but give you a year to keep your old ones.
I think they should institute a federal tax on all internet sales that gets paid to teh federal govt. and gets split between the fed. govt. and the states gov't's based on sales to households in each state over the net for the year. That way the feds could help balance thier budget, and the states could quit crying in their coffee that they aren't getting any share of "sales or use" taxes form internet sales. The one problem with that is sites like e-bay or craigs list. WHy? because if you have a garage or yard sale you don't have to collect sales taxes nor do you have to pay income taxes on items as it is assumed you are selling them for less than you bought them for and the govt won't let you write off THOSE losses to be fair!