Good Buy on eBay

Mark_in_NH · Sep 23, 2003

If anybody is looking to ad some extra lighting to their tractor, there is a chance of a real good buy on a set of Peer-lux plow lights right now on eBay. The pesent bid is around $50. The lights appear to be NIB. I wish I had need of a 2nd set.

Peer-lux plow light auction

EdK · Sep 24, 2003

I might be in need of some additional lighting. Without me doing my own research I'll ask one in the know what would represent a good buy on these lights? How do you have them set up?

Thanks, Ed

gotrocks · Sep 24, 2003

Since you mention eBay and I have just had a unpleasant experience with them,
I thought I'd ask if others had the same.

I found an item I wanted, I DID NOT BID, I entered the BUY IT NOW price that was ask.
Since I usually pay with my Master Card and the accepted payments listed PayPal and PayPal indicated they accepted MC that where I clicked.

Now comes the agrivation, PayPal wants to bill my MC $1.95 and then have me wait for a 4 digit number (Extended Use Number) to appear with the $1.95 charge on my CC statement.
Then I can complete the payment process and the item would be shipped.

Seemed to me that would add several days to getting item shipped.

I got discusted and canceled the order.

Now the seller says they will have to list me with eBay as a NoN-PAY.
Well "Ole Grumpy /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif" says go ahead.

Bird,what do you think? I'll enjoy hearing from all who wish to comment.
I can take it.

Bird · Sep 24, 2003

Well, I never heard of such a thing, but then I've never bought anything on eBay and only sold one item on there. So I know nothing about PayPal, and from what you said, I won't ever be buying anything on eBay or using PayPal if that's the way it works.

Gatorboy · Sep 24, 2003

The Seller is correct -- you are backing out of the deal. If you were not a PayPal member, you should have made other arrangements to pay the seller. Because you accepted the BUY IT NOW, eBay has charged the seller the commission -- so the innocent party (the seller) has been stuck with having to now RELIST this item again and pay additional listing fees as well.

If you want to use PayPal in the future, then signup for it and when you are accepted, then you can use their service.

I believe the reason PayPal does this, is to avoid FRAUD. They want to assure that the number you gave them is YOUR's by having you get the CC statement in the mail. They take protection farther than most companies, and I applaud them for it. I never had any problems with PayPal for the past couple years that I have been using their services.

Bird · Sep 24, 2003

Am I understanding this right? If you use PayPal to buy something, they're just going to charge $1.95 on your credit card, and then you have to wait until you receive your next credit card bill to complete the purchase, charge it to your credit card, and only then have the product shipped? If so, then it could be up to a month before it's shipped.

gotrocks · Sep 24, 2003

Dave,
Thanks for you opinion.

I may have felt a little more obligated if the seller had not already posted 3 more ot the same item while I was trying to get my Paypal account open so that I could pay for the item. Before I got into opening the account a screen stated that there is no charge for personal accounts.

As far as other methods of payment, money order, personal check....I'm guessing at least 10 days or 2 weeks. I wanted it shipped within a couple of days, that's what some other suppliers offers.

PayPal also wanted my checking account number "so they could make a small deposit" to verify.

I felt this was not much different than if I walked into my local hardware store and made a purchase for an item needed this weekend; since I had help coming to assist with the task at hand. Ok here's my CC-- sorry we'll have to wait until next Wednesday and check with your bank and bill you $1.95 on you card and then when you get your statement come back and tell us what our secret number /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif is and you can pick up your merchandise.

I believe that with all of the resources PayPal must have at hand to check to see if my name and address that I give them is the same as on my card that should be enough.

Well, that's part of my rebuttal. Now I suppose next week I'll be a victim of Idenity Theft.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Gatorboy · Sep 24, 2003

You are not forced to use PayPal. I'm sure the seller would have taken a money order.

gotrocks · Sep 24, 2003

Dave,

I guess I'm just as untrusting as the seller and PayPal.

The seller stated something to the effect, do not sent return receipt requested or any way that requires a signature. There is no one that can sign for receipt. Wonder who opens the mail or has a key to the lock box?? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I have a PayPal account it is just not "VERIFIED."

Since we have started this discussion I have received the following from PayPal,
I'll remove part in the interest of brevity.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Get the PayPal Visa®!

0% Intro APR* for purchases. PLUS:

- $5 credit the first time you use your card

- No PayPal sending limit - up to available credit on your card

- No annual fee

- New card designs to choose from!

You'll have an online response in about 30 seconds.

*The intro APR on purchases applies for 3 billing periods after account
opening. For complete pricing information and Important Terms & Conditions click here.

This PayPal notification was sent to emailaddress@att.net. Your PayPal account is set up to receive the PayPal Periodical newsletter and product updates
................
Copyright© 2003 PayPal Inc. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks and
brands are the property of their respective owners.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If my GM Master Card is not acceptable how can they respond in about "30 seconds"?

Gatorboy · Sep 24, 2003

Not to nit-pick, but if you read the Seller's Feedback, and agreed to the payment details -- which you must have since you hit the BUY IT NOW button -- you really can't complain at this point. It's like you are trying to change the rules once the game has started.

I understand if you are new to eBay wondering how not to get screwed, but their system for doing business works pretty darn good. This is why it is the largest by far online auction site.

Henro · Sep 24, 2003

I don't know...

I have bought a lot of things over the phone using my credit card...

Also have bought a couple things from ebay using my credit card...but not using PayPal...

If that is the way PayPal works I think for me I would just sing that country song..."Take your service and shove it!"

Like I said...I have not used PayPal...but thanks for the heads up... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

gotrocks · Sep 24, 2003

Dave,
Here is one more nit to pick.

This is copy from sellers page:

=======================================
Seller's payment instructions:
Once this auction has ended, please scroll down and click on our Andale Checkout button. We use Andale Checkout to provide you with a fast and secure way to send payment so we can ship your product to you as quickly as possible. This will include instructions for paying with Paypal, checks, and money orders. Regardless of payment method used, you must go through our online Andale Checkout. This is the only way to complete your transaction

Payment methods accepted

PayPal (MC,visa....)
Personal check
Money order/Cashiers check
See item description for payment methods accepted
Learn about payment methods.

=========================================
No mention re: no one to sign for Money Order until I placed the BUY NOW order
Then all the details I have mentioned about PayPal and seller's RULES appeared.

mountain_man · Sep 24, 2003

I've done some business on ebay (bought a tractor, PHD and few other things...) and have had generally good experiences.

HOWEVER, after having my credit card compromised with other on-line internet purchases, I've discontinued using my credit card on the web. The credit card company was supportive (I wasn't the only one), however it took several months to get it all straightened out. Although inconvenient, I'd rather talk to someone and verify my purchase before giving out cc info, rather than have some hacker grab my card # off a server somewhere.

RonR · Sep 24, 2003

Safety????

I got an additional credit card that i ONLY use online. I set it with a $1000 credit limit and don't use it for anything other than the web.

Gave the number to my family (kids in college) and told them it was the only card to use online.

I'll see if it works ok....

Ron

Junkman · Sep 24, 2003

Mark.......
I think that I can clear up the PayPal issue for you. They will charge your account a certain dollar amount and it will be up to you to verify that amount to them when you either get your credit card statement or by checking with the credit card issuer. Then they will credit your account the same amount so it will have cost you nothing. This is done to verify that the account is yours and that there is no fraud involved. There is no other way that they can do this. They are acting like a middle man in the credit card business and don't have the protections of fraud like a merchant or a bank. It is a one time thing that they do when you first open the account. I have been a PayPal merchant since inception of the program and I have also verified my checking account with them also. When ever I hear about problems with PayPal or e Bay, I usually learn that the person doesn't understand the way that it works. Before I make a purchase on e Bay, I always check the sellers reputation. You can also do the same for PayPal merchants. If they have a bad reputation, I don't bid, if it is good, then I feel that I am safe. With over 600 feedbacks that I have as both a seller and buyer, I only have one negative from a buyer that didn't complete the auction and one neutral from a buyer that thought that UPS charged to much for shipping and that it was my fault. I have never had any other problems either as a seller or buyer. I have always gotten the items that I paid for and have had 99 44/100% of the buyers complete the auctions that I was the seller. If you have any further questions, I will try to answer them for you. I suggest that you complete the PayPal registration for the next time that you will want to make a purchase. You never know what bargain is lurking just around the corner. I have made a lot of good purchases that were grossly undervalued in the bidding process.... Printer cartridges are a good example.... Staples price $35..... e Bay price.... under $20 including shipping..

mountain_man · Sep 24, 2003

Re: Safety????

Good idea! - Would you give me the card # too, I promise I won't spend more than your limit...

Seriously, it was just the hassle (time) getting it all straighten out, phone calls, letters, affidavits, etc.

Mark_in_NH · Sep 24, 2003

Ed,
The set of plow lights that I bought off eBay were identicle, new but never used and I paid just over $80 plus shipping.
If your read this thread
Auxiliary Light Project You can see and read how I mounted mine under my canopy.

I am happy to say these lights work Great !!!!!!!!

Bird · Sep 24, 2003

( HOWEVER, after having my credit card compromised with other on-line internet purchases, I've discontinued using my credit card on the web. )

How do you know whether it was online purchases or some other means by which someone got your card number? I'm assuming that's how someone got mine, but don't really know. A few years ago, someone charged two months of AOL service to my Visa card. AOL didn't want to tell me anything, but I did find out eventually that the charges were for AOL service in a college town a couple of hundred miles south of us. It actually wasn't too difficult to get straightened out, cancel the account, get new car with new number, etc. except that both Visa AND AOL issued credits, so then Visa had to straighten that out to get their money back. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And then last December someone charged well over $100 on my Discover Card in Kansas City and a couple of hundred in New York City (may have been online purchases; I don't know), but I still had no real problelm getting a new account there, too, and of course, they took the charges off. So now, I look at their web sites pretty frequently online to see what has been charged and make sure they're all legitimate. Discover Card sends me an e-mail anytime a charge of more than $300 is made on the card, and earlier this month, they even called me about 8:30 a.m. one morning because someone had just charged $1,240 on my card (a legitimate charge I had made, but I appreciated them calling).

normde2001 · Sep 24, 2003

Sounds like you now have an official PayPal account, they have checked your credit and are trying to get you to use their card. I first used PayPal about 2 years ago, signed up, and have used it 4 or 5 times but don't remember having to go through what you did. I have never used it with Ebay, which I think, now owns PayPal, and have never been "verified". I can't, for the life of me, see how giving them my checking account #, which makes it a debit card, is going to do anything other than lose the ability to have my card co. act as a referee in a dispute.

JRP · Sep 24, 2003

You all are missing the best part about using Paypal. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I have sold and bought many items with Paypal. Like many things, once you understand it, it is simple. Like many things you just have to dive in.

Paypal protects the buyer and seller from fraud. Sellers using paypal don't just cash your money order and close their PO box. You have recourse if you are cheated.

Now for the best part: /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif When you sell your old toys the money goes into the Paypal toy account. You can get it transferred to your bank account if you need it, which is the reason for the checking account number.

But wait !!!

The money in your Paypal account is also your toy account! The wife knows you sold toys to get the money, so she can't complain when you use that money to get other toys. It is a way to stash money for the hobby fund.

Just selling junk like an old exacta camera $175, a hundred slide trays, and lots of other useless junk I have about $1200 in my toy account after buying lots of stuff.

I got a new Victor oxygen regulator for $51, a new Hypro PTO pump, stainless steeel model, for $65, Miller 250X MIG welder new, $1500 with no shipping and no sales tax. Lots of good stuff.

Use it as a swap meet with millions of buyers that are searching with computers for your item. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif