How do you accept payment?

[ecf8503]

Hi everyone -

Just wondering what methods of payment you are asking for / have accepted successfully. I'm leaning toward accepting PayPal for some items I'm considering listing, but are there any risks in that? What has worked for you?

Thank you!

 

[jbkhere]

I've always used PayPal - never had a problem. Good luck with your sales!!

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

ditto, paypal

 

[ecf8503]

Thanks so much! And one more question - what method do you ship by (Priority, Registered, etc)? Or does it depend on the price of the item?

 

[jbkhere]

Definitely depends on the price of the item. If the item sells for more than $250 you should always get signature confirmation also. PayPal requires it (proves a person at the address you mailed to received the item). Registered mail is the most secure and can also take a little longer to arrive. Its not parcel post slow but can be a few days behind Priority especially if the destination is far from you.

 

[ecf8503]

So PP requires a sig if it's over $250? I need to read up on all the particulars.

I've used Registered before - what a pain. And it takes forever!

Do you require insurance on everything?

 

[jbkhere]

I insure most anything I ship. All these things (paying for signature confirmation, insuring the package) they all protect you, the seller. You don't have to do them (read = pay for them) and the greatest majority of the time you won't ever have a problem. But........ you never know. I once shipped something and the receiver emailed me to tell me she hadn't gotten it. I was sick because you don't want anything to go wrong. Then when it does there isn't too much you're able to do to fix it. Eventually this person received their item and I was relieved! If she hadn't I would have refunded her then would have to file an insurance claim.
Yeah - registered is particular how you have to package the item. It is a pain!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I think Priority Mail insured is fine unless an item is very valuable. I think the insurance covers up to maybe $5k. They will tell you that you have to have a receipt showing what you paid for the item in the event you have to file a claim.

And yes, I use PayPal.

 

[Andelain]

Registered mail can be insured for up to $25k. It's slower, but more secure. Figure shipping and insurance into the selling price, and make sure you keep the tracking # handy until it's safely in the recipeint's hand and that's confirmed.

 

[Andelain]

I forgot to add, send to a confirmed address. Paypal may not back you up in you don't.

 

[facetgirl]

OP, I hope its OK if I ask a question....does the method of payment you accept vary on the dollar amount of the item (for example, would you still accept Paypal if you were selling a $7000 diamond?)

 

[Andelain]

OP, I hope its OK if I ask a question....does the method of payment you accept vary on the dollar amount of the item (for example, would you still accept Paypal if you were selling a $7000 diamond?)

I've never sold one, but I bought a $12k diamond with PP. Along with several others in the 4 figure range.

 

[ecf8503]

OP, I hope its OK if I ask a question....does the method of payment you accept vary on the dollar amount of the item (for example, would you still accept Paypal if you were selling a $7000 diamond?)

I've never sold one, but I bought a $12k diamond with PP. Along with several others in the 4 figure range.

Yes thank you for asking that! And Andelain you haven't had any problems? I'm just nervous about any high dollar items, especially if it's in the thousands.

 

[Andelain]

OP, I hope its OK if I ask a question....does the method of payment you accept vary on the dollar amount of the item (for example, would you still accept Paypal if you were selling a $7000 diamond?)

I've never sold one, but I bought a $12k diamond with PP. Along with several others in the 4 figure range.

Yes thank you for asking that! And Andelain you haven't had any problems? I'm just nervous about any high dollar items, especially if it's in the thousands.

The only problem I've had was when I bought a bezel insert for my watch. I never got it, and the seller ignore my requests for a refund. Paypal and my credit card got me back my money.

 

[ecf8503]

I guess what I'm afraid of is PayPal reversing charges for some reason and taking my money away again without my knowing or being able to do anything about it.

 

[Andelain]

I guess what I'm afraid of is PayPal reversing charges for some reason and taking my money away again without my knowing or being able to do anything about it.

Proof of delivery to a confirmed address is your friend.

 

[jbkhere]

I guess what I'm afraid of is PayPal reversing charges for some reason and taking my money away again without my knowing or being able to do anything about it.

Proof of delivery to a confirmed address is your friend.

+1 Andelain is spot on. This is exactly what signature confirmation is for.

 

[ecf8503]

I guess what I'm afraid of is PayPal reversing charges for some reason and taking my money away again without my knowing or being able to do anything about it.

Proof of delivery to a confirmed address is your friend.

+1 Andelain is spot on. This is exactly what signature confirmation is for.

Thanks everyone! I feel better now.

 

[pregcurious]

I do Registered Mail which has tracking, but I haven't used signature confirmation. Do I need to add that?

I use PayPal and have not had problems, but I had only had about 15 transactions.

 

[jbkhere]

I do Registered Mail which has tracking, but I haven't used signature confirmation. Do I need to add that?

I use PayPal and have not had problems, but I had only had about 15 transactions.

If the item you sold was more than $250 you should. (showing what someone paid for the item is enough for an insurance claim if you need it)
But back to your question - a buyer can claim with PayPal that they never received an item and PayPal will refund them EVEN if tracking shows it was delivered. Signature confirmation proves that someone at the address you shipped to signed for and received the package.

https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/security/seller-protection-learn-more

 

[pregcurious]

Wow, thanks the info!

 

[braga123]

As long as we are on the subject of paypal and safety, what would happen if someone used an e-check to pay through paypal, and after the check cleared and item was mailed and received, someone else claimed the e-check was hacked/stolen? Would paypal protect the seller or would the seller be out of cash and item?

 

[artdecolover71]

for high value, I ship UPS, signature required.

 

[ecf8503]

Is UPS more secure than USPS Registered? I know many of the vendors on PS use FedEx or UPS, but I assume they have insurance. Is buying insurance myself through UPS available and how expensive is it? Is UPS faster than USPS Registered (which takes a long time)?

 

[artdecolover71]

yes UPS is faster and the insurance cost depends on the amount. I have heard too many sketchy stories with jewelry being lost from usps. Fed ex only insures up to a small amount unless you have separate insurance (like jewelers do) so UPS is the only way I am willing to do for jewelry-

 

[Sunstorm]

Yes it does make me nervous as well; we had two cases with ebay when we privately sold ties, one time an LV and also a Zegna, both times the charges were reversed on paypal and we investigated with the mail company in Austria; in one case the person actually received the item and ended up with an LV tie and no money paid for it and we ended up with no tie or money, the other time the package simply disappeared in which case we also ended up with no tie or money. We filed disputes with ebay who upheld their original decision that the seller does not need to pay, nothing you can do, for this reason I will never use ebay again and in fact filed a complaint with BBB. Still the end result is no ties and no money. Imagine this happens with diamonds. If I shhip anything high value I will definitely insure it and get signature confirmation and even then it still makes me very nervous, when ordering diamonds I have never had a problem receiving them fine but it is extremely important in my opinion to make sure you do everything in your power to have guarantees in your hand. Insurance is an absolute must, everything I receive or send comes sealed several times also. This is also a must IMHO to ensure that nothing is tempered with while en route. I used FEDEX and they do insure up to high values, I had no idea they did not in some cases if it concerned private individuals. I am not so sure this is the case or perhaps it is different in Europe.

 

[Sunstorm]

Oh and I forgot that as to USPS I would never ever use them either, when I lived in the US and sent things abroad there were problems and after I moved to Europe and were sent items from the US we have experienced problems as well, in most cases the items were severely delayed even when we paid for express shipping and the point was mute, it was expensive and the items did not get to their destination on time, UPS we have never had problems with, we have only had the best experience with them whether sending things from the US ourselves or receiving them in Europe; I would highly recommend using UPS, they have been great as well.UPS or FEDEX would be my choices, never the local postal offices, we have experienced nothing but problems with them.