Advice: Should I report this?

[totschrei.livejournal.com]

Recently I was bidding and won a part in a YCH auction.
I had every intent to pay until the artist requested I send the money as a Gift because of the fees. Even after I explained to them that it is against the TOS of paypal to send as gift as well ask the customer to cover the fees they still request users to cover the fees.

Conversation in Notes (I have blocked out their paypal as well their username for now):
http://i.imgur.com/JmzSRgL.png

I am just curious if I should report this to Paypal that they continue to ask people to send as gift/cover the fees or report it to admins of FA or even submit an Artist_beware about them? But since the transaction never went through I wouldn't think a post would be able to be posted.

What advice can I get? :\

Comments

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

You would really think they would care about the possibility of losing their paypal account.

That said, you're right, without a transaction this wouldn't quite belong on AB. I wouldn't report them to paypal, either. Actually I would just drop it, since they don't seem interested in understanding or protecting themselves and their commissioners, and that's not something you can force.

Of course, you're free to do whatever you like, but understand that if you report their account, they're probably going to know it was you, and you're going to look like you did it out of spite.

I really don't understand putting the fee on top. Don't tell someone they're paying a fee, it's part of business, just factor it into your prices to begin with.

Definitely not professional on their part, but I wouldn't take action at this time, if it were me. I would probably consider it a bullet dodged, given how they spoke to you here.

[totschrei.livejournal.com]

I was more worried for future commissioners who don't know any better.
Thank you for the advice. ^__^

[spiffystuff.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the preferred way is to ask about this this (PMs vs discussion on the thread where the issue has been brought up, vs no just don't go there) -- obviously you and the mods have the final word on what belongs on AB. But I am puzzled why aborting a transaction due to sketchy behavior on the seller's part isn't considered A_B worthy? Other potential customers might want to reconsider a transaction with the seller based on the information, and it also seems similar to posts where the transaction is resolved, but the poster wants to report why it was a headache.

** edited typos

[kayla-la.livejournal.com]

There's just not much here. AB isn't meant for every little disagreement. I understand and agree that the artist was unprofessional, but all that happened was 'pay my fees', 'no', 'okay'. Again, I'm not questioning that the artist behaved poorly, but I wouldn't say this by itself is bad enough to warrant a proper beware. We also can't be sure the artist didn't actually heed the OP's advice despite the snarky reply. Hopefully that made sense!

That said, we prefer people to ask these kinds of questions in PMs, to avoid cluttering up OP's posts. We like to try to keep individual posts as focused as possible.

[houndofloki.livejournal.com]

Personally, I wouldn't report it. But I would decline to continue with the transaction, and explain to them why I was.

I've never understood why some have an issue with Paypal fees. Paypal is a service, and it's one that makes conducting your business much smoother and easier. Why would it be free?

[totschrei.livejournal.com]

I have tried explaining it and I have declined.
As well I was more concerned for those who don't know better about using PayPal.

[neolucky.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't report it, no. But I also would make sure and not do business with them either. I would break off the agreement and let them know that you are uncomfortable that they ask for the fees and should include them in the final price next time.

Some artists simply don't understand it's against Paypals rules, and that paypal is a service that deserves those fees to continue operating.

As theres no transaction, I don't think this is very fit for a beware, just an avoidance of your cash.

[dinogrrl.livejournal.com]

I agree with the others. The most you can do here is inform them of the rules, the consequences should they break those rules, and then just walk the other way if they continue to insist on taking such risks. Even if those risks are on them and not you, if they're showing this disregard to Paypal's TOS, I'd be cautious of how they handle the rest of their business.

[maxi.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with the others as well. Though I will say that it's bad practice to not let people know about this before they start bidding :/

[germanchoclates.livejournal.com]

I have to go against the grain with everyone and say report it. When you know she's asking for payment as gifts to circumnavigate fees that keep Paypal running she's basically undermining their service. Even worse letting it go allows her to put more clients at risk by allowing her to continue to take money from others as gifts (as I assume she'll continue to do it with others.) What happens when she disappears? Doesn't do the work she's been paid for? It would be like seeing somebody steal a candy bar and going "Well it's just a candy bar."

Knowing when something is taking place and letting it slide is the same as condoning it as you allow it to continue.

[celestinaketzia.livejournal.com]

I'm inclined to agree with this sentiment. My concern is for the clients that lose out on protection.

From my understanding Paypal removes the personal tab before shutting the entire account down, but admittedly it's been a while.

[catwithpen.livejournal.com]

I have to agree with this too. If she won't listen after you've explained it, then she'll do the same with other customers. If she wants to put herself at risk, that's her decision, but I don't want her to put innocent customers at risk too, as some of them might not know about these things.

[ranlur.livejournal.com]

Agreeing with this as well. Actually surprised that folks are insisting you don't report, OP--I would go ahead and report it.

[lichdog.livejournal.com]

Good on you OP for standing your ground. It's not fair to you at all and the artist in question is unprofessional as all heck for insisting that.

[niemalj.livejournal.com]

me too

[xubunturambles.livejournal.com]

As far as reporting it, that's up to you.
As for the artist, well psh whatever. She'll learn one way or another.