Losing Customers Due to eBays new payment policies [Archive]

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11-28-2008, 07:35 PM

Posted By: HowieSome of my regular customers who have been paying me by check or money order over the past few years have told me that they refuse to use Paypal. Therefore, they will no longer bid on eBay. If I allow them to still pay me by check or money order, is that going to be a problem with eBay? Your opinions are appreciated.

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11-28-2008, 07:48 PM

Posted By: AnonymousAre you s troll? Or what kind of business person are you? Tell them that checks are fine! Geez.

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11-28-2008, 07:49 PM

Posted By: John SThat's awful to hear Howie. Not that they will change their policy; but have you tried to contact Ebay with this information? Thanks for helping me with my collection over the last several years. I will still be bidding on your items. Best, John Spano

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11-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Posted By: John S "Are you s troll? Or what kind of business person are you? Tell them that checks are fine! Geez." What does Howie's question have to do with being a troll? He has posted here before and has a legitimate concern. Many of the NET54 members, including myself, are customers of his.

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11-28-2008, 07:56 PM

Posted By: JBWhat can Ebay do about it?

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11-28-2008, 07:59 PM

Posted By: jdrumcan't they continue to send you money orders or checks. If they are regular customers they have your address and you theirs. Is ebay going to police each sale to make sure it was paid for by paypal?

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11-28-2008, 08:01 PM

Posted By: D. BerginIf a customer requests to pay via a check or money order you are allowed to accept them. You just can't advertise it. Just be sure they have your mailing address as it no longer automatically shows up on your Ebay invoices.

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11-28-2008, 08:01 PM

Posted By: Jason CarotaEvery eBay transaction would require a corresponding PayPal or ProPay transaction, I assume.

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11-28-2008, 08:06 PM

Posted By: Donavon ArabieThey are going to lose many customers over this. Unless it's a car or a house, ebay is now saying you HAVE to pay with Paypal. Isn't that a conflict of interest, considering that Paypal is pretty much an ebay owned company? I guess they're figuring to maximize their profit....listing fees + the 3% charge to accept Paypal funds via credit card. It's truly tasteless & they deserve to lose customers. As someone who has had their bank account hacked via Paypal, I refuse to use it. So...my buying/selling on ebay is pretty much done.

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11-28-2008, 08:07 PM

Posted By: Frank L.I have noticed that some sellers are still writing that they accept check/money order in the description. I would WRITE it in until ebay says something to you. When I am going to buy, I simply email the seller and ask if they accept check or money order. I have won from you many times, so I know you do, but others wont.

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11-28-2008, 08:07 PM

Posted By: jay woltI believe new eBay selling accounts can only accept Paypal while older established accounts can also take other forms of payment as they are grandfathered in. Not that sure as eBay's policies change as needed.

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11-28-2008, 08:11 PM

Posted By: Frank L.To gandhi1007 Dont give up on ebay. Most sellers still do accept money order/check. Just email them and ask if they do before you bid. I have been doing this. All of they have been responding back to me quickly. Dont have to go the paypal route.

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11-28-2008, 08:13 PM

Posted By: Stephen MitchellThe Paypal only policy is not helpful - especially at a time of contracting discretionary dollars. We were contacted a couple of weeks ago by an eBay rep. regarding an eBay survey. I do not recall whether the Paypal-only policy was addressed but I did firmly emphasize that I was not in favor of eBay's form of "change" particularly in uncertain times like these. Furthermore, several eBayers have contacted us requesting our address for purposes of paying by other methods than Paypal. Each has been advised that we are pleased to accept their check or money order (or Paypal). It is unclear if this is against eBay rules; I guess we'll find out eventually. Strangely, we have seen some listings (ours and others) that still list options other than Paypal and even some of our own invoices have permitted us to check other options although none (to my recollection) the past week to ten days. Steve (and Linda) Mitchell TheBaseballHobbyist

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11-28-2008, 08:15 PM

Posted By: Jason Carota"I would WRITE it in until ebay says something to you" I wrote "No Checks" in my description (I only accept PayPal anyway,) and was told my listing could be removed. eBay has a filter set up to detect any occurrence of the word "check."

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11-28-2008, 08:26 PM

Posted By: D. Bergin"I would WRITE it in until ebay says something to you" I wrote "No Checks" in my description (I only accept PayPal anyway,) and was told my listing could be removed. eBay has a filter set up to detect any occurrence of the word "check." Incredible! Soon the description "Wire Photo - Dave Semenko checks Guy Lafleur into the boards" will cause a listing to be deleted by the Ebay computers.

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11-28-2008, 08:30 PM

Posted By: Jim VBThis discussion had a thread last week. Ebay's new policy requires a seller to accept at least one form of electronic payment (Paypal, credit or debit card, or Propay). Although the rule has already been changed, they will not begin to enforce it until 01/15/09. You may not mention that you accept or prefer other forms of payment, but I think they know there is no way to prevent it. If a buyer contacts you and wants to pay by check or money order, they can't stop it, but you will not be able to say that in your listing. <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/accepted-payments-policy.html</a>

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11-28-2008, 09:01 PM

Posted By: JasonExactly one of the many reasons that I refuse to get back on eBay as a seller. I am currently working on my own site and am glad to see others frustrated in the new stupid policies. This is just the beginning of a very huge loss of business for ebay and I am loving it! I hope they go down like a rock. They should never had messed with the original business model which made them so successful. I will continue to "use" them only to buy items I want, but not to sell. They may not even be able to recover now even if they changed back to their original model. Jason

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11-28-2008, 09:03 PM

Posted By: AnonymousEdited. I was cranky last night.

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11-28-2008, 09:14 PM

Posted By: howardIf you want to get around Ebay's word filter try mispelling "check" as "chek".

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11-28-2008, 09:24 PM

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm...simply write that you happily accept Chex! It's a tastier, healthier alternative to low-fiber PayPal payments!

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11-28-2008, 09:50 PM

Posted By: Robert KlevensJust write something like...If you have any questions in regards to payment, please feel free to contact me.

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11-28-2008, 10:14 PM

Posted By: jay woltNo way can eBay filter the word "check" or "checks" I use the search all the time for "signed check(s)" & "personal check(s)" since I collect them. And there's hundreds listed as i type this.

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11-28-2008, 11:15 PM

Posted By: Chris CountsI will continue to buy on eBay because it's still the best place for good deals ... but I won't sell on it anymore, and I'm just waiting for someone to come up with a better system. The folks who own eBay have gotten too greedy and out of touch, and they will only have themselves to blame when their website becomes irrelevant ... by the way, I don't do PayPal because when I tried to sign up, it didn't work, and when I tried to call customer service, I discovered that no number exists that I can call. Now that's lousy customer service ...

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11-29-2008, 01:18 AM

Posted By: David SmithI wish a smart business person would just buy eBay and split it into two companies. One for the sellers who want to maintai a "store" and another for people who just want to do auctions. Then maybe they would also go back and look at the rules and change soem of them back to the way they used to be. David

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11-29-2008, 04:01 AM

Posted By: barrysloateI sell on ebay every week, and get at least a couple of checks or money orders each time. I'm fine with it, the customers are fine with it, and ebay has never said anything. How can they stop a seller from accepting a check if he agrees to it?

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11-29-2008, 04:39 AM

Posted By: Rick McQuillanLast week I had a customer win one of my auctions. He emailed me to ask if I would accept a Postal money order. I said "fine", and it wasn't a problem. There should be a way to get around this without a lot of hassle. Rick

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11-29-2008, 05:06 AM

Posted By: SteveThe way I understood it was that after Jan 20 only paypal or other electronic payment would be allowed, however, if a buyer and seller wanted to they could still use a paper payment method. If your account had a certain pct. of such transactions you could be suspended. Steve

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11-29-2008, 05:32 AM

Posted By: Bob LambI believe that the customer picking up the item in person is still an option. Just say that all the transactions that were picked up were paid with check, money order, cash, ect. Even if the buyer was in Califorina and the seller in New York, I know they cannot police this to that extent.What are they going to ask to see plane tickets and gas reciepts to verify that an item was picked up.

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11-29-2008, 06:56 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI realize that this is an exaggeration, but... eBay is so concerned about financial security and squeezing every penny out of its members, yet doesn't appear to have an issue with two of its clients meeting in person? Besides making future non-eBay transactions between these two members nearly inevitable, isn't eBay concerned about the safety of its users?! It's a stretch, but robbery/assault or worse are certainly possibilities, and I'm sure this has happened more than once. Well, as long as eBay gets their fees, I guess it's honky-dory.

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11-29-2008, 07:23 AM

Posted By: martindl As a seller of many types of things, Ebay is still the best game in town - and a big ole global town at that. I can effectively display my wares to the entire world and price wise I think its still reasonable. In my listings I say "PayPal preferred, but if your choice is some other form of payment, which is your option, then I'll be glad to work with you".

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11-29-2008, 08:07 AM

Posted By: keywayI advertise it in the writing of my description. Checks, paypal or money orders. haven't heard anything from ebay about it yet. Frank

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11-29-2008, 08:17 AM

Posted By: PaulMy listings specifically say that I will accept paypal only because ebay insists, and that I'd prefer a check or money order to avoid paypal's fees. I.d. pstewart493r.

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11-29-2008, 09:08 AM

Posted By: HowieThanks for all your suggestions. To play it safe, I'll leave out any references to money order and checks from my listings but will still honor those type of payments. I do like the idea of using Chex instead of check. As far as the comment by Anonymous, keep your nasty remarks to yourself.

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11-29-2008, 09:32 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI notice that a couple of folks have suggested that, in order to avoid having your listings pulled, to ambiguously hint that you will take other forms of payment. My advice would be to create a proper verbiage that can both CLEARLY convey your message to potential bidders, while at the same time duck around eBay's filters and censors. As collectors and dealers, we have all run into our share of buyers who simply don't understand ambiguity. That is why such things must be spelled out in plain English. Perhaps somebody can come up with a few appropriate suggestions.

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11-29-2008, 10:04 AM

Posted By: D. BerginJodi, I simply use "Other forms of payment accepted at the customers request" in my description. Seems to work so far as I've had several e-mails in the last week from customers requesting to send checks or M.O's.

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11-29-2008, 11:23 AM

Posted By: S GrossI still use "check or money order accepted" line in selling. If ebay tells me not to (although agree with Jay, no way they call filter it), I will go to "contact for other payment methods." When I send invoice, I also explain ebay is the one who only allows paypal, BUT other methods are acceptted upon request. I think ebay realizes sellers will go this route, but is just making it more difficult to do so, i.e. fear of "getting caught," hassle of typing it out in listing, and invoice, re-emailing address info to those who request it, etc. If you stay on top of the situation, I do not believe the new system should hurt you terribly: The grand majority of buyers use paypal. For those who perfer check/mo, I think the "extra" customer service will be appreciated. I hope big brother isn't reading this <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

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11-29-2008, 11:43 AM

Posted By: Anonymous when a seller says "Paypal Only".....the message is clear....when a seller doesn't say that, i'll always ask if they take u.s. postal money-orders....so far, at least 8 out of 10 take money-orders...and sometimes (if you have x-cellent feedback)...they'll take a money-order despite listing "paypal only"

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11-29-2008, 05:48 PM

Posted By: Jason CarotaTo clear up any confusion from my original post about the filter, I should mention that the use of said filter was not my conclusion. A live eBay Help Tech told me about their existence. As Jay mentioned, the first thing that came to my mind was "what about signed checks?"

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11-29-2008, 05:54 PM

Posted By: judson hamlinI've been equally as successful with sending an email (how to pay for the item) and asking the seller about money orders.

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11-30-2008, 05:42 PM

Posted By: Lee BehrensI started a thread about this seller with his questionable reaction to a poor transaction and I got hammer by many. Now he comes on the board asking a question that he should be well aware of the answer if indeed he is really concerned about his business. Just more evidence as to why his business practices were put into question by me. As far as the guy who brought but the "buyer beware" practice in the other thread about BUYTHATCARD, good luck on your continued buying. Gladly blocked by them so I don't happen to accidentally bid on something of theirs. Lee

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11-30-2008, 05:51 PM

Posted By: Rawn HillA few great buys from BUYTHATCARD, let the horse die a dignified death. Just the thoughts from a poorboy. Rawn

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11-30-2008, 06:22 PM

Posted By: HowieWhat in the world is your problem, Lee Behrens? I came on this thread with a legitimate question and you come barking about nothing. You are nothing but a bitter person. I blocked you from bidding at my site and you just can't handle it. You cry about nonsense. You were offered a resolution in our issue but you wanted more. Take a look at my 29,500 positive feedbacks and see what others have said about me. What positive things can people say about you? I have seen some of the other threads where you were suspended from this board. Lee Behrens, Get a life! I apologize to others on this board for having to hear this. I do appreciate the feedback that you have given me.

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11-30-2008, 07:10 PM

Posted By: Lee BehrensHowie, Why am I not the only one that has not left a positive? You handled my situation very poorly. This question you asked here can be answered by looking into ebay policies which I would like to think you would be on top of since that is where you bread is buttered. I chose not to respond to your response in the previous thread, but with this question you gave me reason to post again, that you are not everything you seem to think you are. Because of you not knowing policy you are losing business, not very good in my book. But, than again you have ten of thousands of positives, what's losing 30 or 40. Why would I be bitter to being blocked when I have no intentions of bidding on any of your auctions after our incident. Informed people make up there own minds with the proper information. Lee

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11-30-2008, 07:38 PM

Posted By: leonI think you said a mouthful when you said "informed people with make there (sic) own minds up"...... I think we should just leave it at that..... Also, if all you want to do is post negatively on this board I would prefer you not post at all. If you want to contribute in a positive, constructive way, then that would be great...thanks much

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12-01-2008, 05:49 AM

Posted By: boxingcardmanEvading filters and creating ambiguities; we lawyers were created for that... "If you dislike the ebay mandated means of getting my money to me, please contact me for alternatives." "If you think paypal sucks too, plesae let me know and we can work out alternative means for getting me the money." "I only accept paypal because the morons in charge of Ebay make me. If you prefer an alternate method for closing your deal, pleae contact me." Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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12-01-2008, 05:58 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmDarn tootin', Adam! "If you think PayPal sucks too..."!!! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

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12-01-2008, 06:56 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellI have noticed recently that there was no mailing address given for a few transactions I have done. I attributed it to my lack of technical skills on the computer and write the seller each time asking for their address. Everyone takes a check. They may or may not wait for it to clear but in my thousands of transactions on ebay I have never heard of someone not taking my personal check. Jim

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12-01-2008, 07:50 AM

Posted By: Jeff PriznerNot everyone takes a check, I just bought a big dollar item and offered to pay by check and then split the paypal fee savings, the seller responded that he could only take paypal due to ebay's rules.

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12-01-2008, 09:00 AM

Posted By: D. Bergin"Not everyone takes a check, I just bought a big dollar item and offered to pay by check and then split the paypal fee savings, the seller responded that he could only take paypal due to ebay's rules." It might have to do with how you worded the offer. He might have taken a check but because you put somewhat of a catch in there he might have thought it wasn't worth the hassle.

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12-01-2008, 09:06 AM

Posted By: Dan BrettaI've just started using the line "Paypal preferred" in my auctions which is ambiguous enough that while I prefer paypal (and I do) that I will accept other forms of payment (which I do)...I have noticed though that ebay must not be giving my address anymore because buyers are emailing me for my address now.

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12-01-2008, 09:45 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellI just tell them I am sending them a check and I don't do paypal. I have never had anyone tell me its unacceptable.

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12-01-2008, 09:48 AM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmI have been given hassles and flat out refusals in the past when wishing to pay by check. I have also had buyers who will not pay by either check or PayPal, instead opting to go the money order route. "Do you take money orders?" has become a very popular question as of late. Oddly enough, none of those people end up winning my items.

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12-01-2008, 05:18 PM

Posted By: jdrumI've paid for money order or check for years even in auctions which state PayPal only. Ususally a brief, friendly note bf the auction ends telling them that you intend to bid if it is alright to pay by MO or check does the trick. Have not been turned down yet but I am sure it is coming.

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12-01-2008, 07:33 PM

Posted By: SteveAs a seller I love it when a bidder asks if he could pay with a check or MO. Checks and MO are my friends. Steve

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12-01-2008, 08:07 PM

Posted By: JantzI have had a few sellers that I have dealt with in the past contact me through Ebay's email system and outright tell me that if I wanted to pay with a check or money order that they would still accept either form of payment from me. I didn't have to ask. I thought it was kind of funny that some well known sellers were going around Ebay's rules. I see nothing wrong with this practice either, just savvy business men & women trying to earn a few bucks. Lets face it, in the end, Ebay still gets a cut of the final selling price anyway. Jantz

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12-01-2008, 08:28 PM

Posted By: RickAn interesting topic and one close to my heart. I just purchased a card and despite sending an email asking if it were okay to purchase and pay with a cashiers check, I got no response for nearly two weeks after the closing. I bid on it anyway, was high bidder, emailed three times asking for name and address and got a snotty remark about not being able to read! I do find many other sellers who respond affirmatively to cashiers check or money order but some auctions show "Paypal required" and you cannot bid on these items without a credit card number. Ebay will lose customers over this!

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12-01-2008, 08:37 PM

Posted By: Jim VBI'll admit to being dense, if someone can explain to me: 1) From a buyers point of view, what is the disadvantage of Paypal? (I understand why some sellers don't like it, but buyers?) 2) From the same buyers point of view, why would anyone prefer to pay by money order? (My Post Office is a mess to work with. People are nice enough, but lines are miles long, most of the time. Every trip there is a 20-30 minute excursion. I only go when I can use the machines to send a package.)

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12-01-2008, 08:42 PM

Posted By: jdrumI don't get money orders @ the post office. You can get Western Union a lot of places and I keep my checks in my office. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

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12-01-2008, 08:47 PM

Posted By: Jodi BirkholmQuoting Jantz: "...just savvy business men & women trying to earn a few bucks." More like savvy men and women trying not to get robbed of a few well-deserved bucks!

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12-01-2008, 09:04 PM

Posted By: JantzJodi - Well said...well said Ebay is such a strange animal and possibly an extinct one in the future. Jantz

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12-02-2008, 06:37 AM

Posted By: SteveFrom the same buyers point of view, why would anyone prefer to pay by money order? Jim, some buyers just do not trust paypal. They do not want to link a CC or bank account to the internet, some are just not computer savy enough. I prolly am missing a few reasons too. All I know is that even after Jan. 20th Buyers and sellers can still use paper payments, sellers just can't list that they do. Steve

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12-02-2008, 06:59 AM

Posted By: JimCrandellSteve, Those are my reasons. I am adapting by just keeping a list of mailing addresses so I don't have to e-mail the seller every time I buy something.

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12-02-2008, 07:09 AM

Posted By: Jim VBDespite my ever advancing age and Luddite tendencies, I find it much easier to pay by electronic means. I pay as many bills and recurring charges as possible that way. To me, having Paypal with access to my bank account and/or credit cards is much safer than thousands of ebay sellers having it. Every check you write has your account number and routing number on it. Sending those paper checks greatly increases the number of people with that information.

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12-02-2008, 08:08 AM

Posted By: dan mckeeI prefer to buy with paypal for prtection as Jim stated. I use my credit card for double protection. I have had paypal deny a claim and then my credit card refund me and smoke paypal. As a seller, of course I prefer check or money order because of the paypal fees but as Jim stated, it is easier and safer for the buyer so I have accepted the fact that I should accept paypal and I do now. My problem is that I feel since I am being forced to accept electronic payments, that I should also be allowed to advertise and give incentives for paper payments. I agree the buyer should be able to decide how to pay including paypal, check or money order but none should be hidden or covered up as a payment option. Dan.

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12-02-2008, 08:13 AM

Posted By: SteveJimVB I'm not saying they are right in that reasoning, just that it may be it. Steve

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12-02-2008, 09:33 AM

Posted By: Rich Klein For non-plastic payments (i.e. Checks, Money Orders, Cash,...) there is a little matter that one can not legally give discounts for non-plastic payments. If you are a merchant that accepts plastic; you can not legally 1) Impose a minimum on a credit card payment -- although the fees would make one like to do so. You can suggest that but you will be subject to a complaint if someone is upset at that. And you will get a formal warning, etc. 2) Say you will give a discount for payments other than plastic. Again, I understand from my retail days that there is a fee for plastic payments but again; as a merchant you are SOL if you do that and someone calls you on that. This does not mean that I don't understand your views -- it's just a pesky little LEGAL issue Regards Rich Klein

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12-02-2008, 09:35 AM

Posted By: Jodi Birkholm"...there is a little matter that one can not legally give discounts for non-plastic payments" Tell that to Bob Eaton at R&R. I for one am not complaining in saving 2% each time I send him a check.

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12-02-2008, 09:54 AM

Posted By: RedOn #2 I believe it's legal to offer a discount for payment by cash or check. Like at the gas station when a cash discount is offered. What you can't do is offer to accept credit cards if an additional percentage is added on.

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12-02-2008, 09:57 AM

Posted By: Rich Klein<a href="http://www.gofso.com/Premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.gofso.com/Premium/LE/06_le_ic/fg/fg-merchants.html</a> This is a cool link to the discussion Rich

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12-02-2008, 10:10 AM

Posted By: JoannNot trying to hijack the thread, but thought someone might have a quick answer to this one. At least up until several years ago, a merchant was not permitted to demand a photo ID with a credit card unless the card was presented without a signature on the back. In that case, the merchant could require an ID that contained both a photo and a signature so he could compare the signature on the photo with the signature on the credit receipt. If the back of the card was signed prior to purchase, it was considered sufficient protection for the merchant to compare the existing card signature with the signature on the receipt just signed and card issuers generally didn't want customers being harassed for ID. If a merchant insisted on seeing photo ID even though the back of the card was signed, you could complain to the issuing bank. Somehow it would work its way back to the standard contracts for merchants accepting credit cards and someone - issuing bank? someone else in the system? - could fine the offending merchant $2,000 per incident, per the contract. Anyone know if that one is still alive? Joann

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12-02-2008, 10:15 AM

Posted By: jdrumLooking at this another way. If Paypal is required and results in a substantial uptick in volume shouldn't they be able to lower their fees. Contra, if PayPal were to eventually become the only payment form accepted what mechanism could keep their fees in check?

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12-02-2008, 10:42 AM

Posted By: dan mckeeI am going to have to disagree with you. I am not a legal expert by any means but I can assure you that I can find you 2 dozen convenience stores in Maryland and the Eastern Shore that have credit card services and will NOT accept a credit card for less than a $20 charge. 1 in Ocean City will take it for less but then charges you an extra .50 for that. Are you telling me I can call the credit card company and issue a complaint?? Dan

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12-02-2008, 10:51 AM

Posted By: Rich KleinYES! You sure can file that complaint Rich

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12-02-2008, 10:54 AM

Posted By: dan mckeecool, I will try it on 1 to see. Do I just call the number on the back of my card? The Ocean City one has an unfriendly chracter so I will use them as the guinnea pig,

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12-02-2008, 11:04 AM

Posted By: Rich KleinOnce you talk to a live operator; explain what you are doing and let them either take the complaint or tell you whom to call. Regards Rich

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12-02-2008, 02:20 PM

Posted By: PCCredit card acceptance rules are set by VISA and MasterCard, and while the rules are written differently, you can draw the following general conclusions (note that Discover and Amex have somewhat different standards): (1) the merchant cannot set a minimum amount for a VISA/MC credit card transaction -- simply having the sign up is a violation; (2) with limited exceptions, the merchant cannot add fees or surcharges to VISA/MC credit card transactions -- however, the merchant can offer a discount for cash payments; and (3) in regular/face-to-face retail transactions, the merchant is generally not permitted to ask for additional identification. If you are inclined to report a merchant for violating these rules, you should contact VISA and/or MasterCard directly (not the bank that issued your credit card). VISA and MC will then speak to the merchant, or have the merchant's processing company do so. The consequences to the merchant will depend on a number of factors, but the harshest penalty in this instance would be losing the ability to accept credit cards.

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12-02-2008, 02:34 PM

Posted By: Matt"the harshest penalty in this instance would be losing the ability to accept credit cards." Why would a credit card company enforce that punishment on the merchant?

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12-02-2008, 02:43 PM

Posted By: Jim VB"Why would a credit card company enforce that punishment on the merchant?" Obviously the most extreme punishment, but it would only be meted out if the credit card company felt the merchant was causing damage to their brand.

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12-02-2008, 05:49 PM

Posted By: PCMerchants that want to accept credit/debit card payments have to sign an agreement that says (among many other things) they will comply with the rules established by card associations. So, the merchant would be punished, because the merchant is the one violating the card associations' rules. It isn't like the MasterCard police show up if you accept credit cards and then try to collect more from customers seeking to pay with credit cards. But getting on the bad boy list (which is actually hard to do) makes it very difficult to obtain access to the credit card payment networks in the future.

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12-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Posted By: Andrew S."Tell that to Bob Eaton at R&R. I for one am not complaining in saving 2% each time I send him a check." Speaking of R&R, it's a shame that they and Hunt Auctions require personal credit card information to register. I can guarantee that they've lost tens of thousands of dollars in winning bids from this buyer alone by requiring it. But it's probably a good thing for Jodi..less competition <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">