SOMAK B.

With most of these on-line companies, one have to be careful, especially in international transactions. They take money out of the buyers from two sources - both not very ethical, and I assume they take their cut directly (or indirectly) from seller too - which naturally in the end I (buyer) would bear. And also there is interest on the money kept in their account (which they give to seller after significant time).

So first rip on my wallet is through the 'Cut' money on transaction - from the seller.

Second rip is through exchange rate - Just for example - as on today (this instant) the exchange rate is INR 70.92 per USD, Amazon currency Converter says it is 75.*******... i. e. It is 5.78% more than the regulator.

Even worse is the Excise portion - the item (DVD) - Excise duty for import - as per Government is - altogether 29.57% on CIF Value - since Amazon is charging it, one should assume that's what they should maintain? No, they put about 43.5% (just I have put one trial - where Basic+ PP = CIF value is $21.48 and the Import Fee Deposit is $9.37)

This they had been always charging (I have asked for clarification, which naturally never came, despite persistence) - they mention it would be refunded if billed extra - which they never did - at least in last 4-5 years.

Since the Shipping and handling is already considered and isn't really insignificant: $7.99 on $13.99 item, one can't even justify it as the Courier's cut.
A simple calculation, with the Actual - Government/ regulator notified rates show they are overcharging - in this two aspect itself by 17.25%

This is in addition to another around 15% (If I am not wrong) they are taking off the seller

Plus the interest corresponding to transaction-time - this we may not really consider - but when there is huge money movement, an average balance of us, is always in a/c, on which it earns interest - which, as per web is average 3 weeks.

Recently I purchased an Item from Amazon market place - where I don't have to pre-pay the Excise - and the customs bills it - and I pay it to the courier. In this case it was two respective state-posts - and hence (though quite illogical), there was a penalty too - as If I was trying to sneak in the item - funny, considering it was Government Postal Services which were in operation. Still, even with the penalty - total excise came out to be just around 40% - definitely less than even the un-inflated Import duty deposit of Amazon.

I wonder don't these come under unfair trade-practice - if one don't want to call it outright cheating?

Unfortunately - thanks to the other shady operator, I am unable to buy from many other market places - who are only through paypal - and forced to either amazon or those who sell through googlepay. This is the only reason I have given 2* instead 1* or preferably even less. There is usually no choice when you want something from offshore. Onshore, we have quite a few, many with better ethics, but they are not interested in importing on behalf of.

I wonder why these don't get linked to direct bank-cards - or tie up with Master/ Visa. Many of these marketplace sellers seem to be authentic - I had been on with them for years, and I could afford to have confidence on quite a few of them.

As a buyer, i am most of the time limited by the gateway "Imposed" by the sellers. Unfortunately (for me at least) most sellers are exclusively on paypal - mot only ebay, but many more. Even though they declare that they accept card, but that too passes through Paypal gateway.
Paypal has some major issues with its operation, at least in India, which, may or may not be due to regulatory framework put by the Central regulator. I won't criticise the regulator, because with the frauds taking place (and the gullible people here) it is working for the best interest (the mandatory two factor authentication).
Though I say mandatory - but often the international companies (e.g. Amazon, or those through googlepay, microsoft pay) have managed with single factor only. How, I don't know, and isn't important.
Paypal too works (worked) with single factor - but interestingly every six months - the transaction comes to halt. The banks (card issuing) do not honor its request and buyers like me get out of ebay and purchase the items from amazon or elsewhere. And this is going on for last 3 years or so, every September-October and Feb-march.
I had a discussion with the Bank - and they told that there had been some security compromises complaint from the users - for paypal (card details hacked) - which may or may not be true, but the complaint is thus.
That anyway, could happen to any business, and they are supposed to act, to save their business.
But does paypal do it?
No - I have passed on the complaint, and along with the information I recieved from bank, but the result? The "Cut and Paste" of FAQ, and afterwards - the last three of four communications don't even have "Received, thank you, we are working on the issue" - just the silence of the grave - their? Or Our?

I wonder how could a business work without any consideration of customer, and their trouble?
The same regulatory framework is being handled with other multinational gateways (mentioned above) - but paypal seems to be least concerned - even to try something.
To be frank, a year back they did try the two factor authentication - but their software developers were probably Up to their required level of expertise - and the system was in infinite loop - without existing (even Amazon.in has introduced the two factor, amazon.com is still on single factor).
Any one has weak points - but are they willing to learn and correct?
As far as paypal is concerned - no.

I just wish my suppliers go out of the paypal, or at least have another optional gateway. After all, they are losing their business - more than paypal.

I had quite long association with this website - because of the really rare collections - especially of my interest era - thirties and forties. In the beginning about a couple of years back it was OK, then somewhere around 2017, two of the orders were not delivered - in fact the website showed "awaiting shipment" - no response to mails- as most here have faced. But to my surprise, all of them did land up - a few months back (i. E. two years after ordering) - and all of them were as ordered - no error or missing. What is wrong probably is the efficiency and systematic work at his place, he loses track of order and finally, while ticking off, finds undelivered (my guess - else why 2 years?). May be two years late - but as on date there hadn't been any really undelivered.