eBay
Wednesday 16th January
So… I listed my C64s on eBay. I want rid, but don’t want to make any effort, so I offered them for 1p, cash on collection.
Now, like a lot of people, I’m not a big fan of PayPal, so imagine my dismay when presented with the following message while trying to submit my listing…
Dear Seller
Thank you for choosing eBay.
Due to the level of disputed transactions in the category in which you are choosing to list, eBay is taking strong measures to protect both buyers and sellers on eBay.
To sell your item in this category you must offer PayPal as the only payment method. Please sign up for a PayPal account if you do not already have one.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
What? PayPal is more secure than cash on collection? Hold on? I must offer it, as the only payment method? That’s ludicrous! It’s almost as if they’re trying to monopolise on their position - not that I’m that cynical, of course.
Ah… but what’s that? The key phrase… “in the category in which you are choosing to list“. So I could just change the category from Gaming->Commodore->Systems to something like Computing->Vintage?
I did so, and received the following warning…
Are you attempting to list a counterfeit item? Are you aware that the listing of such items is not allowed on eBay?
If you continue to list this item, your listing may be removed without notice by the brand owner. If your listing appears to be offering a counterfeit, your listing will be ended and your eBay account could be suspended.
If the item you are offering is authentic, we strongly encourage you to say so in your listing. If your item has a serial number on it, you may include it in your listing. If your item comes with a certificate of authenticity, let potential bidders know that.
Please Note: By clicking the submit button below, you are confirming that the item you are about to list is authentic.
Who said it’d be easy?
Well… thankfully, the C64s are authentic… I’m not sure how I’d go about making fake ones. And I have a bid, so they’ll be gone in just over a week, all being well!
SInce I lost £100 by using paypal when selling an old mobile phone, I tend to try and avoid paypal and sell via the more secure reliable method of postal order. Pay pal definitely sucks, as the link in your post suggests
John
16 Jan 08 at 10:35 am
And paypal charge you for the privlage. I will offer postal order in future - thanks for the tip
MAX
16 Jan 08 at 1:05 pm
I’ve bought and sold a few things on eBay - and always used PayPal. I must admit I’ve never had any difficulties. The problem, to my mind at least, seems not so much to do with PayPal, but with eBay. Yes, they’re part of the same thing, but even that said, I agree - CoD is much safer than PayPal, from the seller’s point of view.
Not necessarily from the buyer though, especially on personal purchases. Too many back of the pub deals spring to mind.
Kouros
16 Jan 08 at 7:41 pm
Paypal only give me grief when I want to change my bank account
Their ownership (or former ownership) seems a little iffy though
lordhutton
16 Jan 08 at 8:09 pm
Also consider FreeCycle. There are a number of groups in your area: http://www.freecycle.org/group/United%20Kingdom/East%20Midlands/
We’ve used it to get rid of all sorts of things (oven, hob, fondue set*, kettle, bubble wrap, used jiffy bags, curtain pole…) as well as acquire many others (various baby things - even two car seats, phone charger, …).
And seeing as the principle of the thing precludes paying for things, there’s so much less scope for hassle.
(* Honestly)
Simon's Tall
17 Jan 08 at 2:27 pm
Did ebay buy paypal or something? It would make sense, it’s all a big conspiracy. Next thing they’ll buy McDonalds and if you want to sell anything on ebay you have to promise to go buy a big mac first.
Sigh.. C64.. those were the days. Time to fire up the ole emulator methinks.
plume
17 Jan 08 at 4:40 pm
I’m about to start selling some bits on eBay, but not looking forward to the learning curve :[]
DoGGa
21 Jan 08 at 10:16 am
I always use paypal when buying and buy using credit card (even though paypal try to force you to use a bank account!) That way I have double the chance of getting my money back if there’s a problem.
John
23 Jan 08 at 7:59 pm