Gift Option: Is it against Arena Rules?

[tulagirl]

Is it against Arena rules to ask that buyers here on the Arena pay with Paypal Gift Option? I have seen this some as I have been looking for things to buy here and was wondering about it considering it puts a buyer at risk.

[ponylady]

It's not breaking any rules but sending money as a gift in my opinion is a risk.  If I know the person, well then maybe but with the influx of new members selling items with little to no feedback, I will not.

So the answer is no but I wouldn't recommend it.

[tulagirl]

Okay super thanks Ponylady.

[Maniah]

I always ask my buyers to pay by gift If, and only If, they are comfortable doing so based on my feedback. If they would rather not do so, then I am perfectly fine with that, and I always respect their decision.

If a seller pressures you for a gift payment, to me that screams "don't trust me!"

[Corona]

On Paypal it's against their ToS to ask someone to send payment for goods as a gift or ask for the buyer to pay the Paypal fees. You can get your account shut down for it.

Never send as a gift for goods. You can't dispute it and the seller can get in trouble.

[bluerose9978]

Honestly, I don't mind either way. If they don't send as a gift I am able to use PayPal to print a shipping label which is easier for me in the long run since you can't print first class labels from the USPS website. Or if you can I haven't figured it out.

[tulagirl]

On Paypal it's against their ToS to ask someone to send payment for goods as a gift or ask for the buyer to pay the Paypal fees. You can get your account shut down for it.

Never send as a gift for goods. You can't dispute it and the seller can get in trouble.

I had no idea about this.  This is good to know. 

[saply]

On Paypal it's against their ToS to ask someone to send payment for goods as a gift or ask for the buyer to pay the Paypal fees. You can get your account shut down for it.

Never send as a gift for goods. You can't dispute it and the seller can get in trouble.

Interesting, thanks!

I've had some people elect to send payments as gifts of their own accord, which is certainly helpful. I would never ask for it though.

[apanda0622]

As a seller, I ask for payment thru paypal as Goods so I can print labels and so I can give refunds if I need too.  I don't really mind the fees. 

As a buyer, I only use the gift option if my purchase is under $5. But over $5, I always pay with Goods so I'm protected by paypal.

[Glacia471]

I actually insist my buyers (US at least) send payment for 'goods' for the shipping label purposes. It's just so much easier for me to print it, not to mention I can get it sent out within 24 hours and the buyer gets tracking. For the international buyers, it's up to them how they send payment via paypal. The -only- time I've asked for it to be sent as a gift is when I'm acting as the middle person for them and some seller who won't ship internationally.

[Oneleo1]

I always ask my buyers to pay by gift If, and only If, they are comfortable doing so based on my feedback. If they would rather not do so, then I am perfectly fine with that, and I always respect their decision.

If a seller pressures you for a gift payment, to me that screams "don't trust me!"

I do the same thing. I never force a buyer to use the gift option if they are not comfortable with it

[banditpony]

I actually insist my buyers (US at least) send payment for 'goods' for the shipping label purposes. It's just so much easier for me to print it, not to mention I can get it sent out within 24 hours and the buyer gets tracking.

This!
^_^; When I get gift payments, I kinda hate it. I prefer the convenience of being able to print at home-- because I work during open PO times. When I print at home, I can drop it off at work the next day... otherwise I am forced to take off work early or go on a Saturday...

Oh just edit to add,
I think that for the seller and the buyer-- paying for "goods" is safer overall. I think sellers should just "add the cost" of paypal into their item cost instead of a risky gift payment.

[Sarahlacewing]

I'm glad you made this thread.  I have had instances where the seller said gift/pay fees or I'll find another buyer.  I thought it was just a new thing I wasn't aware of as a buyer, so I am glad to see this flushed out.

[tulagirl]

I am concerned too that for sellers that are doing this often, like with every transaction paypal may eventually notice and say, "how is this person getting this many gifts a month?"  It might cause problems for their account.



Post Merge: May 23, 2013, 06:53:48 PM

I'm glad you made this thread.  I have had instances where the seller said gift/pay fees or I'll find another buyer.  I thought it was just a new thing I wasn't aware of as a buyer, so I am glad to see this flushed out.

Seriously, that is really awful that a seller would say that. Goodness.

[saply]

Psst, if you want to print a label via PayPal at home without needing a transaction beforehand, you can do it here:

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now

But still, don't ask your buyers to send as gifts. It's very hard to say "no thank you" to that request no matter how polite you're being, especially for us anti-conflict passive types =)