eBay BidPay - how does it work?

[RossMAN]

I'm selling a music CD which starts at $7.99 with $11.99 Buy It Now price.

I just received the following question via e-mail

I'm eBay buyer.
One question about payment method.
Can you accept money order via BidPay?
Thanks.

What is BidPay?

How does it compare to Paypal?

Is it safe?

Are there any fees?

Is there anything I should know?

Thanks.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

http://www.bidpay.com/

(Sorry I wish I knew more about it but I don't - I'm looking at the site myself)

 

[CanOWorms]

I think it's just like a normal money order. They go to the BidPay website and send a money order through them to you. I've received some before and I remember not doing anything special

 

[chowderhead]

BidPay is run by Western Union. It is a Money order which is sent to you for the cost of your auction. The bidder payers an extra $2.95 for things under $30. It costs the seller nothing as the bidders pay the fee. Western Union also accepts CC which is great if you don't want to deal with Paypal. Just wait until you receive the money order before you ship.
BidPay Seller FAQs

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: chowderhead
BidPay is run by Western Union. It is a Money order which is sent to you for the cost of your auction. The bidder payers an extra $2.95 for things under $30. It costs the seller nothing as the bidders pay the fee. Western Union also accepts CC which is great if you don't want to deal with Paypal. Just wait until you receive the money order before you ship.
BidPay Seller FAQs

Thanks, I like the no fees part for the seller.

Do they have any sort of seller protection like Paypal does? For instance a VERIFIED BidPay member and a CONFIRMED address?

What if the buyer sends me a BidPay MO, I ship (USPS with DC) then they claim fraud/stop payment?

 

[TommyVercetti]

I was under the impression that a lot of wired funds fraud was done through Western Union, and it is best to avoid them. Maybe things have changed, and I see that Ebay is endorsing them.

 

[Turkish]

rossman, avoid anything related to western union. it's mostly used for frauds on ebay.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Bidpay's been around for quite awhile. They've got some fair protections worked in, if I remember correctly.

Given that it's delivered via First-class mail, there's some built-in time for things to clear.

Though, for the money ($2.95 just to use the bidpay money order), it might make more sense for the person to use something else, maybe postal money order or bartering with pigs and chickens. Where's the potential buyer from?

 

[yellowperil]

BidPay = money order. Only difference to the seller is that you could probably ship it after receiving e-mail confirmation because the money order is sent to you by Western Union (I always wait until I have it in my nubby paws though )

 

[yukichigai]

I typically stay away from BidPay as the majority of my bidding is on items under $30. Usually that $2.95 fee doubles what I'm paying, if not quadrupling it. PayPal is a lot easier if you're smart enough to stay away from any e-mail originating from Russia, though the unverified limit is kinda annoying and I'd rather not add a bank account to their records to get it increased. My advice: PayPal with free e-mail addresses. When your limit runs out just use a different one. Though I've been on PayPal for 5+ years and still haven't used up my limit. ($650+ away though)

 

[RossMAN]

Hossenfeffer - I'll ask where they are from, if it's Russia or anything like that I'll say no.

yellowperil - So if I wait until I receive the WU MO and cash it, then I'm 100% safe so I can ship the product?