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AIBU?

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Original poster

Cheeky sellers

15 replies

Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:16

I buy a few items now and again from eBay, Facebook etc. So many times the seller agrees a price and then sends me a message "Oh, and can you mark it as friends and family"? No I can't — you're not my friend and you're not family. Just pay the bloody Paypal fees you cheapskate!

OP posts:
Ontomatopea · 01/08/2022 08:23

I have never had this. Maybe say yes if you can come round theirs for Christmas.

girlmom21 · 01/08/2022 08:25

If it's someone I trust I'll mark it as friends and family, or if it's someone I have no experience with but it's a small value item. I don't see why you'd force them to pay the fees unnecessarily.

Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:27

Ha ha — I like this!

OP posts:
gamerchick · 01/08/2022 08:27

It is cheeky, even if it is a small value item. Those small amounts of money are scammers bread and butter.

SavoirFlair · 01/08/2022 08:29

girlmom21 · 01/08/2022 08:25

If it's someone I trust I'll mark it as friends and family, or if it's someone I have no experience with but it's a small value item. I don't see why you'd force them to pay the fees unnecessarily.

The OP isn’t “forcing” them to pay fees - that’s EBay and PayPal’s setup. If the vendor doesn’t want to sell the item because they don’t like the fees charged , they are free to withdraw the item at any time

sellers like these prey on women who say to themselves “ah it can’t harm to help them out”..

Cheeky is a nice word for it.

Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:29

@girlmom21 Paypal are offering a service, so if the seller wants to use that service they should pay the fee!
Plus, marking it friends and family means the Paypal buyer protection guarantee doesn't apply.

OP posts:
Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:32

well I've just given in and done it again so let's see if my three pairs of cheap second-hand pyjamas turns up

OP posts:
Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:33

@Ontomatopea Only if they are serving trifle!

OP posts:
Gatekeeper · 01/08/2022 08:35

But if you send payment as a friends and family one does that not prevent you from raising a dispute if not as described etc

ThinWomansBrain · 01/08/2022 08:36

Never had this - only Paypal maybe?
I'd probebly be more inclined to say yes on a small amount where the seller was clearly someone selling off a few items to declutter/raise cash, rather than running a small business.

Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 09:17

@Gatekeeper according to Paypal it disqualifies you for buyer protection.

OP posts:
Original poster
Paulineski · 01/08/2022 09:18

And, I just noticed this! Even more cheeky!

“When sending money via “friends and family”, if the person sending the money is using a credit or debit card then the payor is charged a 2.9% fee.”

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 01/08/2022 09:19

Paulineski · 01/08/2022 09:18

And, I just noticed this! Even more cheeky!

“When sending money via “friends and family”, if the person sending the money is using a credit or debit card then the payor is charged a 2.9% fee.”

Is this if you pay via card without having a PayPal account?

SweatyLaBetty · 01/08/2022 09:20

Paulineski · 01/08/2022 08:32

well I've just given in and done it again so let's see if my three pairs of cheap second-hand pyjamas turns up

Why?!

You have no comeback if they don't turn up. This is a well known scam.

Invisimamma · 01/08/2022 09:24

This is why I've moved over to vinted. eBay and PayPal fees were getting ridiculous, but I agree you should not be asked to mark it as friends and family if you don't know them.

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