Paypal

Polk, either I am misunderstanding you or you are misunderstanding me (or rather the point of my thread). I am complaining that people are doing two things:
1. Charging the buyer fees to cover costs that they themselves did NOT have to cover/pay.
2. Or OVERcharging for those fees.

So, while I don't mean to be rude, I object to the notion that someone needs to pass on false charges to me under the guise that they are covering expenses. I don't see how that factors into the price you get for your equipment one tiny jot; 0% of ANY number is zero. So if you are
paying $0 surcharge, why charge 3% and then claim that if you didn't you'd be "giving" your equipment away? I call BS.

As for lowballers, that is an entirely different issue and is unrelated. Set
the price you want for your equipment and see if the market values it that much. It it does, mazel tov. It it doesn't then keep it. Again, no need to pass on fees. You know why? I'll explain:

Unlike others I will still buy from someone who charges for paypal, but I simply factor that into the price I am willing to give them. So if I am buying an amp and it is worth, say, $400 then I'll offer $400. If they want 3% for paypal I'll probably offer $390 or $380. The seller got NOTHING by charging me for paypal.... But he probably drove away some potential buyers.

One last note: I don't know anyone who doesn't expect to pay for
shipping. Only companies and a few sellers in rare cases offer to ship for nada and always as a sort of inducement to purchase. What's more, the so-called free shipping is often built into the price, so again, much of the time you (in this case the buyer) gains little but it sounds really good.

So to me this is simple: build the fees into how much you expect to get for your equipment. I know I am building those fees into what I am willing to pay and I am much more attracted to sellers who don't seem like they are nickel and diming me even if they are getting every nickel and dime. It is just smart.

Then again, that's just my opinion. People have ignored my infinite wisdom before...... ;)

Infinite wisdom? I hardly think so. Even I'm not that smart. I've never tried to charge for anything that was not legit. Listing, shipping, insuring, packaging, paypal and final sales fees are all part of the costs involved. I had a buyer ask me to take a MO for a 4500.00 amp once after the listing expired, so I shipped the item after I cashed his check. I felt the price I asked would cover most all the fees so I put a MO in the box and and deducted the paypal fee and final sales fee that I would have been charged if the deal was done through ebay. I didn't tell him I would I just did it. He emailed me and asked what the MO was for and I explained. He was thankful and bought from me again. But if I have to pay the fees they are passed on to the buyer. If the buyer dosen't agree they can look elseware. Check out my feedback on ebay. Paypal now sends 1099 forms out to sellers. They are expected to pay taxes on sales. Taxes that they paid when they first bought the some items new. Somebody has to pay. I think I deal fairly. Check out my feedback on ebay. If anyone thinks that they are paying fees they shouldn't be paying, they have the option not to buy. You either want the item or you don't.

If you write a check to someone do you ask that person to pay your banking fees? If the buyer were meant to pay the Paypal fees why does Paypal not just charge the buyer in the first place? The seller is charged because he instigated the add, not the buyer.
I have bought just as much as I have sold on Audiogon. As the seller I have always paid the fees and as a buyer I don't like to also pay.
Just my two cents worth.

If paypal could charge the buyers a fee they would! Banking fees for writing a check? I'd get a new bank. Again, if the buyer doesn't want to pay the fees they can look elseware.

Polk, let me see if I understand you correctly. I have no problem with the buyer paying for shipping. I have no problem with the buyer paying PayPal fees as long as there are other options, (personal checks, money orders, wire transfers) and the buyer chooses PayPal. I have a major problem charging the buyer Audiogon fees. If that's what you're doing and you feel justified in do so, I'll repeat what I said in a previous post. How Rude!