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tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 00:03 AM
Cash = no no  

I've been teaching my long-distance daughter how to eBay using AW. Tonight, she called to say one of her recently-submitted auctions had disappeared. Turns out eBay pulled it because her Terms said payments could include cash..........and I'm the one who told her to say that. Bad parenting! Apparently, allowing cash payments is eBayillegal.

Here's exactly what her Terms (part of her descriptions; not her Seller's Payment Instructions) said (still say for the two of her auctions that have bids):

Payment due 14 days after auction ends.
PAYPAL, CASH, CHECKS, MONEY ORDERS ACCEPTED.

She's revised all her no-bid auctions, and is wondering if they'll also pull the ones with bids.

This is part of the eBay message to her:
.................................
The violation occurred when you included the following information in your listing:

CASH

Our goal is to ensure safe online shopping and to encourage members to use online payment methods that are secure, easy to use, and reliable. They should also offer high levels of protection for both buyers and sellers. Because cash payments do not offer the same level of protection and convenience as online payment methods [oh, and by the way, we make money when they use those "online payment methods", but wink, wink, no need to mention that here], members are generally not permitted to accept cash as a payment method on eBay. Sellers are permitted to accept cash on delivery (COD) but only for in-person transactions. Personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, and bank-to-bank transfers are also permitted.
.................................

I've been selling for eight years, and I had no idea about this restriction (my auction terms used to include cash; I can't remember when I changed them...or why; I like cash payments! never had a problem).

And I don't understand how eBay can prohibit independent businesses from taking good 'ol legal tender. There's something very un-American about that. And it's such a blatant ploy to add to their coffers! What's next? All payments must be via Paypal?

So did you guys know about this eBay rule? Do you think they have people prowling auctions looking for the word CASH?

I ran a quick search for the word CASH in Collectibles (with lots of exclusion phrases to narrow it down), and in five minutes I found six that mention cash as a payment option, and some of the sellers have well over 1000 FB ratings (one has 7200). I'd sure like to know why they zeroed in on my daughter's auctions.

Sue



bluepennylady
(old hand)
04/19/07 04:22 AM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

I am surprised the auction submitted with Cash included. I know if you don't edit out Billpoint from the Listing template in the payment terms the listing will fail.

The "Accepted payment" at eBay state a seller cannot solicit a buyer to send cash except for COD or wire tranfers. Does seem unAmerican though doesn't it.

Have your daughter in law take the time to call eBay. Although, she cannot have the incident removed from her account history, she can and should submit an explanation which will be recorded as well. Even the "I am a new seller and although I realize I should have looked at payment methods, I never thought legal tender would be unacceptable." And I would certainly ask why other sellers are allowed to state cash is acceptable.

Tell her to keep her chin up. And don't be too hard on yourself mom, it could have happened to anyone.

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 11:06 AM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: bluepennylady]  

Very good advice, Judy. I will have her call or email with an explanation. So far, her other auctions haven't been pulled (only the two with bids still mention cash; they end on Sunday).

Searching for auctions that mention CASH is tricky. Many auctions include the word CASH as in "do not send cash" or "has a pocket for cash", so you have to exclude all those phrases, and I searched only in the Collectibles category and also with the word "vintage" so I'd be getting more of the small-time sellers selling fairly unique items (not the multiple-stock sellers). I won't post the six I came across, but if you are curious, you'll be able to find such auctions with little trouble. So yes, it's irritating that my daughter's (not in-law, by the way; my first-born) auctions were singled out.

I'm sure 99% of the sellers offering to accept cash payments are just unaware of the eBay rule -- I certainly was.

Thanks, Sue




moonstruck22
(newbie)
04/19/07 12:21 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,
Was a new one for me too! I never stated that cash was ok and never thought it wouldn't be who knew!

I would take it if anyone wantedt to send it tho! In fact, the only time I received cash was from a buyer in Germany! I was really supprised when I opened that mail! They did send US dollars which was good!

Marty



Ned
(newbie)
04/19/07 01:37 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: moonstruck22]  

What a coincidence. I've just been given a Kobe Bryant jersey to sell for the fire department, and so was checking the listings.

Look at item 220102104518!

The seller's had an eBay ID since April 12, and zero feedback. He wants a $5000 starting bid and
"Money preferred in Cash. If you give cash i will one day air the shipping."

I did mention this to eBay Security...

Ned




bluepennylady
(old hand)
04/19/07 01:58 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: Ned]  

Ned,

WOW! I am glad you sent that to eBay security.

And you know, I do not recall the last CEU eBay University update stating cash was not accepted. I just don't remember seeing that in acceptable payment methods. There was a huge deal about Google checkout but not cash. I am going to have to look at my material tonight.

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 02:49 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: moonstruck22]  

Me too, Marty. I had not idea about this rule.

I'd say I've received more cash payments (US dollars, always very crisp) from foreign buyers than from domestic buyers. Interesting -- and nice! -- that they feel we can be trusted, especially considering that I get quite a few notes from folks in Italy, Ireland, and former Iron-Curtain countries urging me to be sure to package some small item in a box/envelope too large to be carried in a pocket.

I do occasionally get a kick out of writing to the buyers who send cash and telling them that I received an empty envelope........then a few minutes later, I email again that I was just kidding, and I invite them to reflect on the sinking feeling they had when they got the first email, and to think about signing up for Paypal.

Sue



bluepennylady
(old hand)
04/19/07 02:51 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

SUE!!

You are sooooooo bad. But so very funnnnyyyy. What a great idea!

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 03:36 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: bluepennylady]  


Sue



Ned
(newbie)
04/19/07 03:37 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: bluepennylady]  

Got him! Listing is now gone.

From http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html:

In reply to:

Policy

Permitted on eBay.com: Sellers may offer to accept PayPal, credit cards including MasterCard/Visa /Amex/Discover® Network, debit cards and bank electronic payments online for eBay purchases. Sellers may also offer to accept bank-to-bank transfers, often known as bank wire transfers or bank cash transfers. Sellers may accept COD (cash on delivery) or cash for in person transactions. Sellers may offer to accept personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks and other negotiable instruments. Please see the "Some Examples" section of this policy for those evaluated payment services permitted in the eBay marketplace.

Not permitted on eBay.com: Sellers may not solicit buyers to mail cash. Sellers may not ask buyers to send cash through instant cash transfer services (non-bank, point-to-point cash transfers) such as Western Union or Moneygram. Sellers may not solicit payment through "topping off" of a seller's pre-paid credit or debit card. Finally, sellers may not request payment through online payment methods not specifically permitted in this policy. Please see the "Some Examples" section of this policy for those evaluated payment services not permitted in the eBay marketplace.




bluepennylady
(old hand)
04/19/07 03:38 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: Ned]  

Way to go Ned!

That is the type of seller that gives the good sellers a bad name.

Thank you for posting the policy.

Judy/blue



bluepennylady
(old hand)
04/19/07 03:40 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue,

I am going to try your tactic with my Italian buyer who insists on sending cash.

You are just sooooo bad! And so very funny. He'll probably get mad at me. And your buyer's probably laugh at you.

Judy/blue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 04:02 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: bluepennylady]  

Well, I have to confess I've done it only a few times, when the buyer has been chatty and friendly and they've mentioned sending cash. I'll reply with a serious warning (my intnl greetings emails suggest they use Registered Mail and conceal the money with thin cardboard), but I won't flat-out refuse it. It's their call. I've had only one problem -- a guy in Ireland sent about $20. I got an empty, taped closed envelope (which is awful cuz you figure they'll just think you're lying), but he said his own postal workers were notarious for opening envelopes and looking for $, so he just sent it again, and I got it. Whew!

Sue



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/19/07 04:03 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: Ned]  

Wow!

Sue



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
04/21/07 08:14 AM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:
I've never openly specified Cash in an auction listing. Even the email I send to winning bidders doesn't mention cash. Now, the only reason is that I figured people would be hesitant to send cash. So I just kept it out.

With all of that said - I've received cash quite frequently. Sometimes I get an email and they ask if Cash is OK. I've told them that they can send cash "at their own risk" and I suggest they send it registered mail.

As Marty said - most of my cash payments come from Europe. And boy have they come up with all sorts of methods to send Cash. One customer in particular wins the unique cash mailing award (UCMA). They use a small personal size envelope (6 3/4). The cash is all neatly stacked together then stapled on all four corners. Next three sheets of paper are folded to fit into the envelope. The cash is placed inside the folds of the paper and stapled again. Now the fun part. They use some sort of glue stick thingie and cover both sides of the folded paper and then insert it into the envelope. They seal the envelope and tape it shut.

Wanna try opening that envelope? . I end up with shreads of paper all over the desk and eventually using a staple puller end up with the cash - brand new crispy U.S. Dollars.

It is seldom that I get cash from a U.S. customer - those in Europe are the cash senders and many are from Eastern Europe where PayPal is not avaiable.

I still wonder why eBay is pulling your daughter's auctions and yet leaving others up that contain Cash. I feel, as you do, that the cash rule is there simply because they own PayPal and that means more CASH in their pockets. I'm sure, but can't prove it, that at one time Cash was an acceptable form of payment on eBay - way back when.

Garry



AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
04/21/07 08:27 AM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:

LOL - wow you really know how to scare the bejeebers out of your customers huh? The email you send is a good lesson but wow can you imagine the spouse saying "I TOLD YOU SO!"

Garry



tictictic_OnEbay
(enthusiast)
04/22/07 01:53 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: AquilaStamps]  

Hi Garry,

I thought that idea of gluing the cash into the envelope was quite interesting. I suppose you could figure out a way to tape or otherwise adhere currency to the inside of a large manila envelope with cardboard inside so it couldn't be easily folded to pocket size. The idea would be to make it difficult to quickly and surreptitiously remove the money. Put the bills in a plastic bag (stapling them in would probably be a good idea) and glue or tape that to the cardboard or stiff plastic, then glue that assembly into the envelope. Someone should manufacture some such set-up and sell them on eBay.

My daughter's two auctions (end today) with bids still say Cash OK, but so far, eBay has left them alone. The only thing I can think is that some eBay employee just happened upon her auctions while browsing to add to their own collection and decided to be a do-gooder and clue in the newbie. I don't think they have bots searching for the word CASH.

Sue




AquilaStamps
(enthusiast)
04/22/07 09:03 PM
Re: Cash = no no new [re: tictictic_OnEbay]  

Sue:
I've had one other person send cash in an unusual way. They used a square size envelope that would hold "drugstore" photo prints. They cut out two pieces of a cardboard box that would fit into the envelope. Between those two pieces they wrapped up and inserted U.S. currency. Then after securely sealing and taping shut the envelope - the marked on front in red crayon "PHOTOGRAPHS - DO NOT BEND."

When I got the envelope I wondered who the heck in France was sending me photos. LOL when I opened up the envelope and checked the photos - they were photos of Ulysses S. Grant. LOL

A rather different way of sending money I guess. But stll seems a bit iffy. I contacted the buyer by email andf he told me that he had sent cash tht way for a long time and never nce had any problems. Guess the thieves didn't want to look at family photos.

Hope your daughter had good luck on her two auctions today.

Garry




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