Changes to the fees that sellers can charge buyers

Since July 20th 2018, following the implementation of the European PSD II directive (2015/2366), sellers are prohibited from charging buyers additional payment fees, according to our T&C’s.

As a result, we received several questions. The answers to these questions can be found below.

What do you mean by « handling charges » and « payment fees»?

Payment fees can be defined as specific fees linked to the use of a particular payment method (wire transfer, credit card, e-payment...). As a result of the implementation of the new European legislation, these fees are payable by the seller and can’t be charged to the buyer over the price of the item. The law doesn’t currently prohibit from including fees in the item price and/or offering the buyer a discount if a specific payment method is used.

Handling charges are fixed costs mainly including the packaging, the handling and the administrative follow-up. Fees related to the payment method may by no means be included. As a reminder of our T&C's, “Potential handling charges must be fixed and cannot depend on the number of items sold. Otherwise, the seller cannot demand their payment. Delivery fees and handling charges must be reasonable and in line with market prices. The fees can never be used to significantly reduce the selling price of the item to decrease the commission percentage due to Delcampe.”

What are the changes compared to the current situation?

Until July 19th, 2018, considering the differences between all the national laws, Delcampe let each seller charge payment fees, as long as the seller complies with the law in his/her country and if the fees are clearly notified to the buyer before the purchase. Since July 20th 2018, it is no longer be allowed to charge buyers additional payment fees on the Delcampe website, in accordance with most laws in effect from now on. As a reminder of our T&C's, “Potential handling charges must be fixed and cannot depend on the number of items sold. Otherwise, the seller cannot demand their payment. Delivery fees and handling charges must be reasonable and in line with market prices. The fees can never be used to significantly reduce the selling price of the item to decrease the commission percentage due to Delcampe.”

Do these changes apply to countries outside the European Union?

These changes apply to all the users of the Delcampe websites.

I am a private seller, do these changes apply to me?

They apply to all the sellers without exception.

Do sellers have the right to charge buyers payment fees (Paypal, Delcampe Pay, bank transfer…)? It is allowed to include these fees in the delivery fees or the handling charges?

No, it is no longer allowed to charge buyers additional payment fees. These fees can’t be included in the delivery fees (whose amount must be in line with the price charged by the delivery company) or in the handling charges (which is a reasonable fixed amount mainly including the packaging, the handling and the administrative follow-up).

Which kind of fees can be charged by sellers?

As stated in our T&C’s, “the price the buyer pays for an item is the final price of sale with, in addition, potential delivery and/or handling charges, if the charges are clearly indicated on the item presentation page as being at the buyer’s expense. Potential handling charges must be fixed and cannot depend on the number of items sold. Otherwise, the seller cannot demand their payment. Delivery fees and handling charges must be reasonable and in line with market prices. The fees can never be used to significantly reduce the selling price of the item to decrease the commission percentage due to Delcampe.”

With respect to catalogue sales organised by an auction house, the highest bidder must pay the item price and associated fees to the auction house, as stipulated in point 1.2.13 of our T&C’s. Auction houses are the only sellers allowed to charge buyers selling and adjudication fees. It is a specific legal framework, unrelated to the payment fees.

May I apply a discount on a payment request depending on the payment method (for example: bank transfer)?

The law doesn’t currently prohibit from offering the buyer a discount if a specific payment method is used.

If a buyer pays by cheque, does he/she have to bear the e-payment fees?

No e-payment fee might be beared by the buyer. Delcampe does not recommend paying by cheque, especially if the cheque is not hand-delivered.

Delcampe mentions that the delivery fees should be “the actual cost”. What does it mean? In the event of misuse, what can Delcampe do?

As stated in our T&C’s, “Delivery fees and handling charges must be reasonable and in line with market prices. The fees can never be used to significantly reduce the selling price of the item to decrease the commission percentage due to Delcampe.” These are the fees actually incurred by the seller towards the delivery company.

In the event of misuse, Delcampe can suspend the seller’s account and require him/her to change his/her conditions and practices. In the event of recurrence or if no corrective measures are applied, Delcampe reserves the right to close the seller’s account.

As a buyer, the fees will be mentioned in one “fees” field only. How can buyers know the detail of the fees? In the event of misuse, what can Delcampe do?

The fees are usually detailed in the seller’s sales conditions, because they must be notified to the buyer before the purchase. If the buyer needs more information, he/she can expressly ask the seller. In general, the amount of the fees should approach the postage/delivery rate, in addition to the packaging costs (for example if the standard domestic shipping rate with tracking for a package between 5 and 15 pounds is 5.5 £, the total fees might reach 6.5£, packaging included (box, bubble wrapper, plastic...)

If you suspect misuse, don’t hesitate to contact Delcampe which will take the necessary measures towards the seller.

How to modify my sales conditions?

In order to modify your sales conditions, go to : Sales conditions. Once the changes are carried out, don’t forget to click on « submit» at the bottom of the page.

How to modify the price of my sales all at once?
How to modify the price of my sales below a certain amount?

It is not possible to modify the price of your sales below a certain amount all at once.
However, the “multiple changes” make it possible to change the price of all or some of your sales in a few steps.

In order to change the price of your sales:

Go to: Change the prices
Select increase or decrease
Indicate the percentage or the amount
Select your items by category or by Delcampe website
Check the summary table
Click on “Change my sales”

You can see the changes that you made in the summary table.

The multiple changes are available if you are a Club+ Gold member.

If you’re not a Club+Gold member, you can modify your sales one by one by going to your ongoing sales.

How to close my sales all at once?
How to close my sales below a certain amount?

It is not possible to close your sales below a certain amount all at once.
However, the “multiple changes” make it possible to close all or some of your sales in a few steps.

In order to close your sales:

Go to: Close or restart my sales
Choose “Close my sales” in the scroll-down menu
Select your items by category or by Delcampe website
Check the summary table
Click on “Change my sales”