Buyers: Why would you agree to pay via PayPal "gift"?

I get why some sellers want that requirement... 1) They're cheap and don't want to pay fees. I get that. Absolutely, no disparaging intent in my observation whatsoever. Also, possibly 2) They don't want any kind of enforced warranty that paying via Paypal "regular" might provide.

No, that's obvious. This question is specifically for buyers who might agree to pay, or have agreed to pay, via PayPal "gift". Why do you agree to pay via this method? What's in it for you?

Do you feel the alleged 3% savings is substantial? Do you feel the alleged savings compensates for the complete loss of any consumer protection whatsoever from buyers that you most likely do not know at all? Do you feel that that 3% will be a difference between this item and the next one that comes along?

It's quite clear that I am not a fan of paying for goods or services via "gift", and I make no bones about that, but I am sincere in my question. I am genuinely curious why people agree to this and will respect anyone's legitimate thoughtful answer. Granted, the vast majority of sellers are honest and have integrity, but just for me, I'd pay full price for a new piece before I'd hand over money to a stranger with no recourse whatsoever should the seller turn out to be a charlatan.

I don't know, man, but I totally agree. I even had one buyer pay gift when I didn't ask for it. I wasn't going to complain.

What's funny is that every time I've told a seller I want the item but I won't pay via gift, they just take regular paypal anyway. If they are too stubborn for that, I don't want to buy from them anyway.

Because it is cheaper.

Send via gift or add the PP fees to the buyer.

I won't accept a gift payment as a seller either- you lose your seller protection that way. The buyer can retract your money after you send the tracking info- since you weren't selling goods or services, you have no recourse to get the funds back.

I don't have tens of thousands of dollars of equipment- but the 3% is worth it for me if I'm selling something or buying something. My sales price always includes the shipping cost, the paypal fee, and the shipping insurance. It's factored in to the amount- the protection it provides, just like shipping insurance, is for the seller as much as the buyer, if not more.

JDCPA wrote in post #17114950
Because it is cheaper.

...If everything works out.

I guess they assume that you will get them a discount. Same as people thinking that if the deal is done in person, the seller would give them a discount. This could be done to lowball you too....

As a buyer, I just prefer one packaged price, PP and shipping included. Then I know what it costs straight up. And yes, it's nice to have the PP buyer protection. Technically, I think it's against PP policy to accept gift payments for products or services.

cutwater wrote in post #17115034
As a buyer, I just prefer one packaged price, PP and shipping included. Then I know what it costs straight up. And yes, it's nice to have the PP buyer protection. Technically, I think it's against PP policy to accept gift payments for products or services.

It is, but I'd rather keep this thread away from that aspect as those threads tend to get closed.

Do we need another thread on this, we get one about once a month?

Perhaps we could continue on one of the many other that go nowhere. Why do people care how others pay each other? In a nutshell, conduct business how you want and guard against those that don't do business the way you would yourself, and don't you mind how others deal with each other. Simple...

https://photography-on-the.net …809&highlight=p​aypal+gift

TeamSpeed wrote in post #17115077
Do we need another thread on this, we get one about once a month?

Perhaps we could continue on one of the many other that go nowhere. Why do people care how others pay each other? In a nutshell, conduct business how you want and guard against those that don't do business the way you would yourself, and don't you mind how others deal with each other. Simple...

https://photography-on-the.net …809&highlight=p​aypal+gift

Wrong answer. Here's what's simple: Don't you mind what others want to discuss if you have no interest. THAT's simple.

tkbslc wrote in post #17114948
I don't know, man, but I totally agree. I even had one buyer pay gift when I didn't ask for it. I wasn't going to complain.

I would take it as well in that scenario.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #17114951
I won't accept a gift payment as a seller either- you lose your seller protection that way. The buyer can retract your money after you send the tracking info- since you weren't selling goods or services, you have no recourse to get the funds back.

I don't have tens of thousands of dollars of equipment- but the 3% is worth it for me if I'm selling something or buying something. My sales price always includes the shipping cost, the paypal fee, and the shipping insurance. It's factored in to the amount- the protection it provides, just like shipping insurance, is for the seller as much as the buyer, if not more.

Interesting. I was not aware the seller loses protection, also, though it makes sense.

When I sell the 3% fee and shipping is always factored in. I also believe that insurance is primarily for the seller, as the seller should reimburse the buyer if something goes wrong regardless.

Its the ebay mentality that the world is coming to. One cent cheaper..but shady seller..no protection..no problem. Its one cent cheaper.
I have never lost money with pp but I never use them to buy or sell. I lose out sometimes and that is fine. But buy as a gift?? never.
Gary

I won't pay via gift. If the seller 'requires/requests/ a gift payment, and I want want he's selling, I simply use the paypal calculator, and pay the 3% myself. As long as the price still is what I'd like to pay, no problems. I've never had a seller complain.

The only time I will send a gift is if it's for a small-ish amount, and I've dealt with the seller before. At that point, it feels more like I'm doing business with someone I am familiar with, and if we can both save a few $, all the better. But again, only on lower amounts (no specific amount, and it has a lot to do with the previous transactions).

As a seller, I of course prefer a gift, but I'm ok either way.

photoguy6405 wrote in post #17115095
Quote:
Originally Posted by tkbslc View Post
I don't know, man, but I totally agree. I even had one buyer pay gift when I didn't ask for it. I wasn't going to complain.

I would take it as well in that scenario.


Interesting. I was not aware the seller loses protection, also, though it makes sense.

When I sell the 3% fee and shipping is always factored in. I also believe that insurance is primarily for the seller, as the seller should reimburse the buyer if something goes wrong regardless.

LOL! Hypocrisy at its finest.

You create an entire thread about a topic that has been beaten to death, then beaten some more. You say you are so against sending and receiving money via the gift option.

BUT, if someone, who maybe didn't know any better, sends you a payment via gift you won't say or do anything about it and just accept the payment (and the extra money since you won't be having to pay the fees) and look the other way?

You need to make up your mind. Really.

amkorp wrote in post #17115642
BUT, if someone, who maybe didn't know any better, sends you a payment via gift you won't say or do anything about it and just accept the payment (and the extra money since you won't be having to pay the fees) and look the other way?

You need to make up your mind. Really.

Nah, this thread was about buyers paying via gift. Nice try, though.