Worst mistake a seller can make

bmoore92 · Jan 23, 2015

Sorry if this rant is ill placed but I've been recently combing the for sale threads for a few things I need for an upcoming build and I can't help but vent my frustration when every post I see has things like "PayPal gift or add 3%." Do these sellers realize that this one phrase turns away me and people like me from buying what they are selling? If they are willing to risk any sort of confrontation by offering me the chance to waive my paypal protection(by gifting) then I really don't feel comfortable dealing with the most often copious amounts of money our hobby deals in. Why not include the 3% in your asking price? Make me pay the 3% but don't have a price then tell me to pay the 3% because that's where I start to get weird. Just thought I'd see what everyone else had to say on the matter. Good day!

revhtree · Jan 23, 2015

Not to mention it's against paypal policy for someone to ask for the extra 3%.

Bad Company · Jan 23, 2015

I dunno If this is the worst mistake a seller can make, but I guess it doesn't resonate well with you as a customer. In reality they are asking you to do the 3% math, rather than them. If the final asking price is worth it,I buy, if not, I don't.

NanaReefer · Jan 23, 2015

Reputable dealers/sellers DO NOT request either one. Ignore those who do and move on, period!

mbmax · Jan 23, 2015

I feel the same way. I was in going to buy a doser and at the last minute the seller ask me to send money as gift.
I dont really have a problem if they mentioned before , I just dont buy from them.

gar732 · Jan 23, 2015

I will NEVER send money as a gift. It leaves you with no options should something go wrong. I just recently purchased a sump from a local builder that asked for the 3% and while it did bother me a bit it was still much cheaper than going through other venders so I just paid it, but I agree just build it into the price. If I had another option that didn't cost so much more I would have gone with that instead because of it.

pirate2876 · Jan 23, 2015

Never send as a gift unless you trust that person 100%. I was burned by that years ago and never forgot.

Fish76 · Jan 23, 2015

Yup, I don't understand why sellers put that in their listings either. I mean how hard is it really to just add it to the sell price and advertise it that way.

kschweer · Jan 23, 2015

If you search the forum there are at least 2 other threads in this topic. I for one am immediately turned off by this and will not buy or attempt to buy. In the other 2 threads I was very surprised by the responses in favor of this.

kschweer · Jan 23, 2015

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180351

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176118

RUGDOG · Jan 23, 2015

It is just a cost of doing business. Any retailer you walk into and pay with a CC they take a 2-3 percent hit on it. It is figured into everything we buy wether we use a CC or pay cash regardless. I am trying to buy up stuff for a new build right now myself and when negotiating on the forums I always tell them it is a cost. Figure out the lowest you will go and eat it. I will buy or move on.

Rob Top1 · Jan 23, 2015

I had a buyer once ask if I wanted money as a gift or to add 3%. I was shocked she was willing to give up her protection. Wouldn't except either

saltyphish · Jan 23, 2015

No gift, and no 3% fee, period! If you are to lazy to just figure the 3% into the price and ask a flat rate then no business. I doubt people are complaining about having to pay an additional 3% it's just the fact that after a price is negotiated the seller throws out the 3% fee. If it is figured in no one knows the difference.

hybridazn · Jan 23, 2015

I understand why ppl do this, but it sounds tacky and tasteless to me. Whenever I post things for sale I always take into consideration of the fees that will be taken out. While it sucks to lose money, Its only $3 for every $100 so it's not much.

The only time I ever ask for an additional 3% is when the person is haggling me over the price and wants the lowest amount possible. Only then do I add the 3% on top.

bmoore92 · Jan 23, 2015

saltyphish said:
No gift, and no 3% fee, period! If you are to lazy to just figure the 3% into the price and ask a flat rate then no business. I doubt people are complaining about having to pay an additional 3% it's just the fact that after a price is negotiated the seller throws out the 3% fee. If it is figured in no one knows the difference.

My thoughts exactly!

kacrocorals581 · Jan 23, 2015

I've never asked for the 3% or send as gift I mean wow 3% lol common I'm with you I don't wonna buy from that eather , but me myself I do not ask the buyer to pay 3% its just silly and not a good way to build trust with your buyer

Skynyrd Fish · Jan 23, 2015

If 3% breaks it for the seller I think they have bigger problems. I agree with build it in the price.

tigerdragon · Jan 23, 2015

I have sold things through pay pal i just fig what the lowest i will go is and thats it. I dont ask for the additional 3% or to send as a gift. As a buyer i want to be protected if something goes wrong so why as a seller would i ask potential buyers to forgo that as well. Only way is if i know that person and where they live, otherwise it doesnt happen. Like it was said earlier if $3 on a $100 sale is that important maybe you shouldnt be selling.

gtbarsi · Jan 23, 2015

I think the gift thing makes sens if it is something small and it is a private person who is doing the selling. While I understand the loss of PP protection some times it is more trouble than it is worth to factor that in.
I'll give you an example, I just listed and sold my first item on the selling form here Clear Polycarbonate Round Tube 1/4" ID x 3/8" OD. I was asking $6.00 + $4.00 Shipping I had these as surplus after having to buy 8 of them at a total cost of 15.78. My asking price of 6.00 was 1/2 my cost not including shipping, and 4.00 was my cost to ship it first class mail at a discounted business rate. There was no room for any funny business if I had to take a 3% hit I honestly would have just kept them. My thinking was I would help someone else out with the excess I had and recoup a % of my total cost.

Now on a large ticket item, or for someone that is selling professionally or often (where there is room for markup) I think that asking for the gift or the 3% is off putting and I would be less likely to do so.

On well used equipment it could be argued either way since the cost to the buyer could be large, and the quality of the goods may be questionable so they want the protection. However to someone just trying to liquidate some of there old gear at a fraction of the price they paid, having to setup as a Paypal merchant (if that is still a thing) looks like more work than it is worth. Especially since Paypal does not spend everywhere.

Just my $0.02