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@Velocio
So we have rules, and they do us OK.
But I think it would be good to collate or somehow document the unwritten etiquette of the LFGSS classifieds.
Here's where I think we are on PayPal "gifts":
http://www.lfgss.com/thread36976.html
If we were to build a serious FAQ on classifieds and the etiquette around them, what would it contain and look like?
For starters:
Q: I'm paying by PayPal and the seller has asked me to "gift" the payment, should I?
A: It's entirely up to you.
I would say that if you have any concern and want to be covered by paypal resolution stuff then you should always "Pay for Goods".
If, and only if, you are willing to accept the risk of losing your money... then you could consider gifting it. If you gift it, realise you're now operating on honour... you're expecting the seller to effectively gift you the item. See the predicament there? I hope you know and trust the seller.
Who should pay the fees? Well this is not eBay, and a lot of transactions take place down the pub or are quick "meet after work" and exchange cash. So default is cash and offline, in person.
As such, the price agreed is what the seller reasonably expects. If you both agree to make the transaction online and involve postage, then just like the buyer covers the postage and packing my personal opinion is that the buyer should accept the PayPal fees too. In fact you are probably getting it cheaper here because on eBay the sellers factor in these cost and just charge more by default.
PayPal fees are 2.9% + 20p. So if the item is £17 then the fees are 2.9% of £17 = 49p + 20p = 69p in fees.
It's pretty easy to work out.
Basically it boils down to this: Are you willing to pay 2.9% + 20p to keep the transaction as a transaction and be covered by PayPal's resolution process... or would you rather save yourself that and take the risk?