>Yet buyers whine about it
>
>
>
As a buyer, I'm trying to figure out what's to whine about. It's easy,
it's free, it creates a sometimes needed paper trail. I can pay from my
auctions from my computer without ever leaving my house.
I agree with Bill that I will generally not participate in any auction that doesn't use PayPal. I've occasionally used BidPay for a stateside purchase if it's something I really want (read "have become irrational about"). But not internationally.
What really astounds me is the number of sellers from the UK and Europe who invite worldwide participation in their auctions (even some list members) but adamantly refuse to use PayPal. The choices are always:
1. cash by certified/registered mail 2. international MO 3. bank draft.
Not only does this fail to engender a certain level of trust, but it's a royal pain in the a$$. I am not about to send cash in this day and age. If you live in one of the smaller cities, as I do, setting up the latter two requires some legwork. It's simply not worth it when there exist methods that facilitate the transaction for both buyer and seller and offer protection to both.
On another note, as someone who is about to cross the abyss from buyer to seller, I thank both Bill and Riccardo for their valuable insights.
--
Phil "just say 'Charge it!'" Sieg
Knoxville, Tennessee