Replies

1. 
   PheasantHunter | Mar 23, 2008 09:22pm | #1

   One reason would be to avoid the fees that Ebay charges.  This is definitely against Ebay policy and possibly illegal.   Have you contacted the seller and asked this question?   Looked at feedback?

1. 
   MattInPA | Mar 23, 2008 09:27pm | #2

   That's exactly what I thought. feedback was nearly 100% with 50+ ratings, more than 1/2 of which are as a seller. Thanks

2. 
   Wingdoctor | Mar 24, 2008 12:34am | #6

   Some people don't like all the features of eBay's checkout and use a third party checkout or personal email to inform buyers of the win. Not using checkout does not have any effect on whether or not eBay collects the fee. The fee is automatic based on the selling price when the auction ends.

   Bruce"A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan

2. 
   DonfromUtah | Mar 23, 2008 09:58pm | #3

   If he's willing to cheat Ebay out of their fee, I don't have a lot of confidence that he wouldn't cheat his buyers.

3. 
   USANigel | Mar 23, 2008 10:02pm | #4

   If you use Ebay checkout you end up using paypal and paypal take a piece of the action. Does not mean ebay don't get their cut.

4. 
   benhasajeep | Mar 23, 2008 11:03pm | #5

   Since alot of items are sold by a drop shipper.  Sometimes you have to use the drop shippers check out.  Most of the time you can still use Paypal through their cart.  Basically the auction is just a pricing link to the shipper.  If you don't use their check out, the item never gets ordered.

   Then of course there are some scammers that are either trying to cheat you or ebay.

5. 
   gb93433 | Mar 24, 2008 02:20am | #7

   If you paid the seller outside of ebay's rules you elect to assume the risk of not getting the item and the seller taking your money.

1. 
   MattInPA | Mar 24, 2008 04:21am | #8

   Just a few clarifications:

   1. When ebay notifies you of winning the item they state that you absolutely have to use their checkout ("Do not respond to the sender if this message requests that you complete the transaction outside of eBay. This type of offer is against eBay policy, may be fraudulent, and is not covered by buyer protection programs")

   2. Using the checkout does not make you use PayPal. You have the option to use paypal, to send a check or any other type of payment when "checking out"

   I was really just wondering if this could be normal for some reason. I think that not using Checkout means that you never acknowledge to ebay that you know you won the item and intend to pay. Any problems start with you well behind.