Buying your wedding gown is an amazing, once in a lifetime experience. And buying it online can be worry-free if if you do it safely.
Safely means smartly. Trusting your instinct. Asking questions. And using a online payment service with payment protection for the transaction.
PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com recommends Escrow.com for all transactions. Why? Quite simply, because it offers more meaningful protection for the buyer (and recourse for the seller) in the event of a dispute. We recommend that personal checks and wire transfers NEVER be used for transactions because there is no recourse for either side, in the event of a dispute. And while paypal.com is a secure way to transfer funds, in a dispute, buyers can have difficulty recovering their funds, even if the dispute is ruled in their favor.
Escrow.com acts as an intermediary in the transaction. And while the transaction may take longer than via other payment methods, it is safer. And for such an important purchase, safer means better.
Paypal
What it does:
Provides safe, secure, money transfer. If there is a dispute over the transaction, users go through the paypal resolution center.
How it works:
1. Buyer and seller agree on a sale
2. Buyer sends money to seller via paypal
3. Seller sends gown/ accessory
Advantages:
Fast. Easy. Paypal is recognizable. Buyer can use credit cards for purchases.
Disadvantages:
1. Disputes can be harder to resolve
2. A buyer could win a dispute but still not be able to recover her funds. Why? Because if a buyer wins a dispute, but the seller has transferred the funds from her paypal account, paypal cannot return the funds to the buyer.
Fees:
$2.9% + $.30. For a $1,000 gown, the seller’s fee is $29.30
Getting Started:
Buyer and Seller must each have a Paypal account. Signing up is free and takes minutes. Then the buyer “sends” the funds or the seller “requests” the funds.
Escrow.com
What it does:
Acts as an intermediary in the transaction and offers safe, secure money transfer. If there is a dispute, users go through escrow.com mediation.
How it works:
1. Buyer and seller agree on a sale
2. Buyer and seller sign escrow.com agreement outlining their terms of sale
3. Buyer sends money to escrow.com
4. Seller sends dress/accessory
5. Buyer confirms item is received/ as described
6. Escrow.com releases money to seller
Advantages
Escrow.com integrated into the actual transaction resulting in more BUYER protection (seller protection is comparable to paypal).
Disadvantages:
Buyers can only pay with checks (which take up to 14 days to clear) or wire transfers (for which your bank may charge an additional fee). Credit cards are not accepted for apparel purchases.
Fees:
For transactions $5,000 and under: 3.25% for standard service
For a $1,000 gown, the fee is $32.50
Note: standard service is recommended for wedding gown/accessory purchases. On escrow.com buyers and sellers can determine who pays the fee or if it is shared.
Getting Started:
Buyer and Seller must each have a Paypal account. Signing up is free and takes minutes. Then the buyer or seller begins the transaction by initiating the escrow.com transaction.
PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is not affiliated with any online payment service. And we do not take an commission or fee on transactions done through any service. Our goal is simply to provide buyers and sellers with information so they can make the choice that is best for them.
