FEES for UNSOLD items!!!

Hello...

Further to a post of mine last month, wondering if items sell more efficiently at fixed prices or with bidding, I wish to share with you the following experience and ask for your OPINION:

I placed many items for sale with bidding option and a Reserve Price. When I was listing them, the following message appeared every time: "Bids must meet the reserve price in order for the item to be sold". I sold only 4 items where the buyers met the reserve price. If bidders do not meet the reserve price, the Delcampe invoicing system DID NOT ALLOW the issue of invoice.

On April 1st, I received an invoice for my sold items at fixed prices and those that met my reserve price, and I duly paid that invoice.

HOWEVER, I also got an additional invoice with charges for the UNREALIZED SALES where bidders did not meet the reserve prices. When I saw the additional invoice, I was astonished because it contradicted with Delcampe's Seller’s Guide (PDF) which clearly says in Step 3(d) the following: "If a sale is unsuccessful you do not owe anything to Delcampe".

So, I did not realize those sales, the system did not say anywhere that even if unsold I should pay fees, I also could not invoice them even if I wanted to, and the Seller's Guide says I do not owe fees for those. Whatever was not sold, I relisted at fixed prices.

The main question is: Why Delcampe's accounting department INSISTS that I should pay?!?!?

Fellow members, please advise...

Putting a reserve price on an auction item does not make it a fixed price sale and I wonder whether this is where you have perhaps got it wrong. Auction or fixed price is an either /or function. The Delcampe selling form does say there is a fee for having a reserve price, and though it does not explicitly say so on the selling form, I had always taken it that it would be non-refundable.

Personally I have never used it - if I have something which I want to sell at a certain price, then it becomes a fixed price sale.

Hello Cristohenge,

With reference your advice that "putting a reserve price on an auction item does not make it a fixed price sale", I was and I am aware of the distinction between the two options..

On the selling form it says explicitly: "Bids must meet the reserve price in order for the item to be sold". In the Seller's Guide it says explicitly: "If a sale is unsuccessful you do not owe anything to Delcampe". I have not seen anywhere a statement or warning, clearly saying fees would be levied even if unsold!?!?

Image below is from the selling form.

It states clearly that the cost for a reserve price is 3% (2% for Gold+ members), with a minimum of 0.50 in any currency.

It is very obvious. IF SOLD, then the seller pays 2% (gold member) or minimum 0.50 + 5.5% commission + 0.10 per item.
If not sold, then the Seller's Guide (section 3(d)) says "If a sale is unsuccessful you do not owe anything to Delcampe".

Mainlypostcards,

In addition to my last comment, the very first paragraph (Step 1(a)) in the Seller's Guide says (I quote) the following: "On Delcampe, registration is free and you do not have anything to pay when listing one, ten or hundreds or items. You only have to pay low commissions for successful sales."

It is free to list a standard auction or fixed price item.
Upgrades, such as reserve price, subtitle, last minute extension, etc. incur a fee.

It clearly states on the selling form in the "Reserve option box" what this fee is: 0.50 or 3% (2% for gold members), whichever is the higher.

It certainly says that, and for fixed price option the fee is 5.5%.
To be paid only IF SOLD.
Delcampe's online Seller's Guide: ""you do not have anything to pay when listing one, ten or hundreds of items"

I understand that the details in the posting by "Mainly" is completely accurate......much the same as e-b**.& elsewhere

However, the comments you have made are also accurate as I cannot trace any limitation to the "no charges unless sold" statement by Delcampe.

I suggest that you obtain clarification from Sebastian or Benjamin. You can do this via the Delcampe site or (if you prefer) direct to Sebastian Delcampe (his email address as site owner can be obtained via google, yahoo etc).

However, I rather suspect that this is simply sloppy work or bad translation by the D legal team.......

For me, I have found that the prices realised if I auction an item are way too low and, for me, a reserve rather defeats the object. Hence, all my items are fixed price but I am happy to consider any reasonable lower offer immediately after the sale is listed.

This way I can list for $10 but accept $6 if I feel like it........completely my choice. Far better that entering a start price of $1 and hoping for the best.

Wishing you all success

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I've always considered it as an "upgrade" or "option" and never assumed that it would be refundable.

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Thank you!

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