What do buyers get from the buyers protection fee for items they collect? Seems like sweet FA to me!

[rabs63]

Can somebody please explain to me what buyers get for their Buyers Protection Fee for items they collect?

eBay don't pay sellers until an item is collected and the collection code is entered - and if the buyer isn't happy with what they are buying, they don't need to provide the seller with the collection code and car drive off into the sunset.

If they are happy and provide the code, what protection are they getting from eBay for their protection fee?

They are happy with the goods, they are driving or walking away with the goods - what could possibly happen for them to invoke the eBay's protection?

It has all the hallmarks of a protection racket that is somehow legal.

[jonatjonatjonat]

The buyer protection fee includes...

• 24/7 customer service: Get support around the clock if you need help.
• Private sellers paid after delivery: When you purchase from a private seller, payment is sent after the order has been successfully delivered.
• Secure transactions: All payments are encrypted end-to-end and handled by our trusted payments partners.

But just ignore it all. ignore the word protection. It is merely a marketing word that ebay stupidly decided to copy from Vinted (where it means slightly more because the money back guarantee is included in the buyer protection)

IT IS JUST A FEE. It covers ebays costs associated with the sale. Like staff, and serves and payment fees that need to go to the likes of PayPal or Visa. What used to be covered by the Sellers Final Value Fees - the BPF now covers it.

[*guinevere*]

Before the BPF there was the Final Value Fee. Both fees were and are, paid by the buyer.

You could argue that the FVF was paid by the seller, but given that it isn't paid until the buyer pays, and forms a part of the sale price in my opinion it is paid by the buyer.

The big difference is that the BPF can sometimes be far higher than FVFs ever were.

[rabs63]

Yes, you seem to have missed the point! What 24-hour support is needed when the buyer collects from the seller? I'll answer my own question: Zilch!You seem to have confused the word collection with delivery...

[jonatjonatjonat]

I’ve explained what the buyer protection fee is.

understanding it is entirely in your ball park now.

[*guinevere*]

You do understand that you are still covered by the MBG for collection only items?

[shaani2009]

Not neccesarily, if the buyer refuses to test it in person, or cant test it and you still provide the collection code and take the item, im sure you would be able to return it. For example, a computers cpu, lets say he is only selling a cpu so he cant show you it working, you take it anyways and when you install it in you right it doesnt work

[tressygirl]

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@shaani2009 wrote:

Not neccesarily, if the buyer refuses to test it in person, or cant test it and you still provide the collection code and take the item, im sure you would be able to return it. For example, a computers cpu, lets say he is only selling a cpu so he cant show you it working, you take it anyways and when you install it in you right it doesnt work

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That is correct , a case for item not as described can still be opened here if the item is faulty,  and a claim put in within the specified 30 day timeline for eBay's MBG,  Money Back Guarantee policy

[rabs63]

Who would drive to collect a computer component? Any other examples which don't involve a highly unlikely scenario?

[jonatjonatjonat]

Are you suggesting there should be no fee for collection orders?

That ebay should process the payment for free?

Would you do something for nothing?

[a45heaven]

@*guinevere* 

You could argue that the FVF was paid by the seller, but given that it isn't paid until the buyer pays, and forms a part of the sale price in my opinion it is paid by the buyer.

are you sure you dont work for ebay ?

[rabs63]

My point is that it offers no protection whatsoever. If it's a commission fee, call it that - don't call it something it isn't! 

[jonatjonatjonat]

I agree that maybe the should call it a commission fee. But at the same time, ebay has to consider how they market something to the end buyer. There is a logic (some may think it flawed) that the way they have presented it, and the aim would be is they are targeting to someone who had never used ebay before, a buyer protection fee sounds like they get something. And in a round about way they do. They get the guarantee of using a secure end to end payment system, with less risk their data is going to be stolen. That is a means of protecting the buyer. Its just not that tangible. But ebay could argue there is a protection in there somewhere.

[*guinevere*]

😄

I am simply stating facts. I didn't say I agreed with BPF.

It's just that whenever I hear buyers and sellers complaining about it they seem to forget they were paying a similar fee before, with FVFs and no one ever complained about that. 

For the record I hate the buyer protection fee, IMO ebay should never have introduced it.

[jonatjonatjonat]

And before anyone jumps in on this. Yes, the payment system was of course secure BEFORE the BPF was introduced. It was at that point paid for by the FVF.

[a45heaven]

@*guinevere* 

OH OK then - kinda like saying the Buyer Pays Your Taxes then? 😉

This year has been by far the worst introductions have ever made, - apart from the control factor and greed,  they really deserve nothing in terms of users respect these days

[rabs63]

What buyer collects a computer component? Have you got a more realistic example of what someone might collect that they cannot vet before taking it away?

[rabs63]

Of course I am suggesting there should be no fee for collections. Collections must make up a tiny proportion of eBay sales - I'd be surprised if it's as high as 5%. Delivery sales should earn eBay more than enough to waive any collection fees masquerading as buyer protection fees.

It's a buyer protection racket, pure and simple. And I post as a seller, not a buyer.

[jonatjonatjonat]

This is not really an argument - because someone might collect a computer component. Who is to say they are driving. It might transpire they live one road over so could walk.

And irregardless - ebay still needs to apply the same, you can return an item not as described logic to everything, even those items that are collected from private sellers AND the Buyer Protection Fee isn't relevant to an item being returned anyway.

[jonatjonatjonat]

So do they go cap in hand to Visa? Sorry guv, can't afford these payment processing fees anymore. rabs63 says we shouldn't charge people any fees for collection orders.

They are a business. With overheads. if you want to offer things for collection for free- I believe there's plenty of lamp posts you can stick a flyer to.