Suggestions Please - Cheapest Way To Get Paid For Auctions

Whenever I'm lucky enough to sell an item on Ebay etc, the fees cripple me, but added to that is the cost of getting paid, so I'm looking for any alternative means that might be available. I'm talking about international payments, as I'm in ireland and ultimately need to have money in Euro, but I'm sure this applies to everyone selling to a worldwide target.

Paypal of course is the most convenient. but the fees are high. I use Moneybookers as well, European based. Direct lodgement to the bank incurs a charge and a conversion fee.

If you make your buyers use the 'Gift' option on Paypal they pay the transaction fees. Might save you some dough if you request that of them? The savings could add up over the course of a years transactions.

Good Luck,

Skilo54

I have read that PayPal can, and does, suspend accounts with excessive use of the gifting option. I don't use the feature, so I don't have first-hand experience of that...I suppose it could be an urban legend.

More importantly, though, I think it is bad form in a relatively anonymous transaction to ask the buyer to give up PayPal protections.

My 2d. (Please include an additional ha'penny to cover PayPal fees.)

You are hilarious my friend! I agree with you on the most part, but like to try and use the gift option when dealing with someone I `know` from one of the boards!

I had never heard of the Gift option suspension, can anyone expand on that?

Skilo54

Shamrock its all the cost of doing business, stick a extra quid on the shipping and handling cost. Pay pal fees is part of the handling fee after all. Yes eBay will take there % on the shipping that you charge. Also if your selling a lot in the States have a pay pal account in US dollars as well this way you wont have to pay exchange rates and when you buy in US dollars you can use this money.

Here is a thread with some discussion of this question:

http://goscf.com/t/15532

I've seen it discussed on non-stamp boards, as well.

If you have a US dollar account you could just use this money to buy Stamps

Cheers, thanks for the link Cjd!

Thanks for the responses guys.
I was looking for alternatives in order to keep the shipping costs down.
Most of the items are in the €0.5 - €5 range, and my current shipping is €2.
Guess I'll have to review.