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Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Contemplating how to put together our first club auction after 2009 growing season....

Talking to others....

Major question or questions about; what do you charge for or not?

Suggested about charging to take credit cards, to take paypal, to ship, to insure....

I have had my own business before, including all of the above, and. To keep auctions simple and straightforward for those that come to bid, I feel it should be the seller's costs and overhead, 'cost of doing business'.

Taking payment fees, are part of every brick and mortar and most internet businesses. I know, the club is raising funds but. It should be the seller's cost.

Shipping too. Unless you want overnight, a basic standard well packaged shipment should be covered. Again a cost of doing business.

Just my .000002 cents worth, any other views?

Deb aka OkieGal
P & T Grower Club

1/26/2009 10:48:51 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Deb, first time around...I would suggest doing what most still do (or I could be wrong)LOL!! Check or money order, and shipment not made until check clears da bank! This is the way it used to be, and nothing wrong (IMHO) with a new group doing it that way. Peace, Wayne

1/27/2009 1:58:22 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I have taken paypal for almost a decade, and that way the payment can't be lost. And it lets the person use a credit card or bank account as they choose. :) Of course check or money order is still legit payment!

1/27/2009 3:01:46 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

I was the one who introduced paypal to our club and we will never go back. Its the easiest way to pay and people will spend money on postage anyway to mail you the payment so they are paying money either way. If you use paypal you will see good results because people can support your event with only spending maybe 2 minutes of their time and using a secure network, no worries about currency calculations either its all done by them. You have to have an account open for 3 or 4 months before you can put the buttons on your site though for security reasons.

Hope this helps, Kirk

1/27/2009 6:35:39 AM

Rhode Island

to me the method of payment is not a big issue. we have always had winning bidders pay via check. once received and deposited we send the seed.

id be more worried that the seed got delivered properly.

we have never had a problem with payment or delivery for that matter

pap

1/27/2009 2:54:18 PM

Sweden

If you want many growers from Europe to bid at your auction you should get paypal as an option to pay.
Its the best and safest way for us Europeans to pay.
Another thing worth to consider is that you really know what condition the seeds you sell is in i think. Its up to the club to check and tell if its splitted seedcoats and that such things before you make people bid hundreds of $ on them.

1/27/2009 5:14:27 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

I have offered credit card payment the last few auctions.
We usually have around 5-8 bidders pay by credit card.
It is a fast and efficient way to get the money and the seeds out fast. This was the 1st year I charged a service fee. I ate it in the past.

1/27/2009 6:33:52 PM

Sparta, NC

I don't think there should be a service fee for using a credit card or paypal. Just my opinion.

1/27/2009 6:51:02 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

If there is it should be clearly listed in the Auction.

1/27/2009 7:09:22 PM

[email protected]

We might have had a seed lost to the USPS for the first time ever this year. That or we're getting fleeced. I'm not sure which.

We've offered insurance before but it's a pricey option as I recall. No one ever took us up on it regardless.

We've always paid the postage to ship.

I agree that all these terms must be in the preamble.

1/27/2009 11:04:05 PM

Long Island,New York

We pay the postage in the Green Jacket Auction.

1/28/2009 7:11:46 AM

Regan ND

I would think personal checks should work fine. Wait till it clears before you ship. It is january most people shouldnt be in that big of a hurry this time of year. Money orders to speed things up for the speed freaks.

1/29/2009 11:04:10 PM

Belgium Europe

I think if your selling something,you should make things as easy as possible for the costumer.
So.. Paypall : YES and no costs for the buyer.

1/30/2009 4:21:14 AM

Woburn, MA.

I think Paypal is a great idea because it makes it easier for the buyer. Also, you will have more European bidders which will help too. Personally I used Paypal for the GVGO Seed raffle because it was convenient.

1/30/2009 5:16:38 PM