Few questions about eBay as a seller and buyer

[packs]

Hey guys. I have a couple of questions about somethings that are going on with me on eBay.

First: I just sold a card to a buyer and in my message that I sent to him I informed him of a shipping and handling price and then mentioned that if he wanted to insure the card to please include an additional couple bucks, three. The guy paypal'ed me this morning and didn't include the insurance cost. Should I still insure the card even though he clearly decided not to insure his card? I'm assuming yes just to cover my butt. Would paypal still find me liable if the card was lost or damaged? I guess I'm just annoyed that someone would stiff me three measly bucks.

Second: Is there an eBay policy in place for charging sales tax? I bought a card and was charged for an additional sales tax on the final auction price. I've never been asked to pay a sales tax before on eBay and have been a member for 6 or 7 years.

[slidekellyslide]

I put delivery confirmation on all packages over $50, and I will pay insurance on any of my items that sell on ebay for over $100...I don't even ask, I just do it.

If you payed sales tax on an item you won on ebay then you live in the same state as the seller.

[mybuddyinc]

1: Yes, pay the $3. It's well worth it to avoid any possible future problem. You'll be out $3 today, but the buyer will be a jerk the rerst of his life

2: Yes, when selling a product there is a section that allows state tax to be added. It should show up in the auction along with s/h costs.

[Matt]

I guess I'm just annoyed that someone would stiff me three measly bucks.

Why not make the insurance required then?

[Jim VB]

Your responsibility, as a seller, is to deliver the card to the buyer, and, if necessary, prove it. Whether they realize it or not, all sellers insure every package. The only question is: Are they buying insurance through a third party, or are they self-insuring?

If you purchase no insurance and the package doesn't get there, are you willing to cover the loss, or do you want someone else (USPS?) to cover it.

On sales tax: sellers don't "charge" tax. They collect it for the state/county/city. Sellers who have a physical presence in the community they ship to are usually required to have a tax license and would be wise to collect it from you. If not, when they get audited, they will have to pay it to the taxing organization anyway.

In most (not all) cases, if the seller doesn't collect it, you are liable to pay the tax directly to the taxing organization. In Ohio, for example, it is a line item on their state Income Tax forms.

[Anthony S.]

I usually only insure above around $75 and do so on my own dime. It sounds like you made purchasing insurance optional, so he's really not "stiffing" you if he opted not to have it insured. That being said, if it's a card with any significant value, I'd insure it and eat the negligible cost of buying peace of mind.

[WarHoundR69]

Insurance is for the protection of the seller not the buyer and savy buyers know that. As a buyer I never pay for insurance.

When I sell items, I "SELF INSURE" for items less than $100.00 (Although I still pay for DC) meaning that if the item is lost in the mail I make a refund myself (Happened once in over 500 transactions).

Between 100 & 250 I try to judge the buyers character via his FB score (Haven't been burned to date) and 95% self insure.

Over $250.00 you have to insure plus get signature confirmation due to Ebay PP buyer protection rules. Protects you from scam buyers. Build the cost into your opening bid.

With repeat buyers who I know won't try to pull a scam I even skip the DC cost, and pass the S&H savings on to them.

[barrysloate]

Dan- "payed" sales tax? Perhaps you meant "paid" sales tax?

[packs]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I'm going to insure the thing myself and just make the insurance a mandatory shipping and handling charge from now on. Salex tax makes total sense I've just never been asked to pay it before on eBay and wasn't sure if they allow it to be charged. Thanks for clearing that up.

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Dan- "payed" sales tax? Perhaps you meant "paid" sales tax?

ARGHHH!!! I had been doing so well too. I hadn't had a correction from Barry in over a year! I am a great speller, but grammar is not my best subject....and I will quibble a bit with this one since some online dictionaries have "payed" as acceptable for how I used it. I agree though that it is not the correct usage, but I will continue to use it that way just to irritate Barry.

[barrysloate]

Dan- if you keep using "payed" I may break out in a nasty rash!

[Jim VB]

Well, learn something "knew" every day.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/payed


Looks like Dan may skate on this one!