Is DC listed first really affecting what payment choices customer’s use?

[TreasuresOfGrace]

I have heard over and over again that having DC listed first is causing customers to not know any better and to choose that over PayPal. I decided to go through my sales and see how they look. Here is what my stats say:

From 5/20/12 when I started DC to 8/28/12, my most recent sale, I have had a total of 30 sales. Exactly 15 were through DC and 15 through PayPal. Of the 15 that were DC, 7 of the sales were to customers not new to Etsy, and 8 customers were new to Etsy. Of the 15 PayPal sales, 11 customers were not new to Etsy and 4 customers were new to Etsy.

What this tells me is that *22 of the 30 sales I had, or 73% the customers made the choice to use or not use DC. Not because it was listed first but through their own choice. The other **8 of 30 sales, or 27%, are unknown. They may have chosen DC because it was listed first or because they wanted to, or a combination of both.

[Former_Member]

I don't understand why people make a big deal out of the so called "default" DC setting. Perhaps I just have Etsy's smartest customers, but I'm pretty sure they know to look at how they're paying and then click the appropriate button. I've still had more PP sales than DC, and both forms have been used to place orders over $300, so clearly, they don't see DC as default, just another option.

[Former_Member]

Raven I thought I had the smartest customers! But seriously I've never understood that "default" argument either. Choosing a payment method is not a new thing for internet shopping, people know how to click a radio button. My sales are almost evenly divided between Paypal and DC and I've been accepting DC since April.

[PinchtheMuse]

I'm seeing a wide mix of use in my shops. One shop customers use DC almost exclusively for the high dollar orders ($100+).

Another shop they use DC pretty much for all the under $10 purchases.

Two different target markets and actually expected behavior for both of them.

Some people will go with the CC because it is default, but I think there are many many more that actively choose. Of course I can't prove that, it's just my feel for it.

[ohmama]

I don't even care what is listed first for payment. As long as my customers are happy, so am I. It's almost like sellers think they are being ripped off if etsy processes their order and makes money and not paypal? You pay for the service either way, so I don't know what's the big deal?

[Former_Member]

Its all nonsense. Makes about as much sense as a buyer choosing mastercard or visa based on which one is listed first. I think the world of DC, and wish I could gather the courage to disable the paypal option and not use them any longer. As a seller, it just makes sense to offer as many options as we can, as not everyone likes every service.

[Former_Member]

Since I enable DC the 1st of August, I've had two sales through it; most of my customers are still choosing to use PayPal for whatever reason. So I would agree that having DC listed first is not automatically causing a preponderance of DC sales - my customers are apparently smart as well ;) Perhaps the holidays will tip the balance to DC? Either way, more choices on checkout is a good thing, I think.

[OriginalsbyLauren]

When PayPal was first, people accepting checks didn't have any problem with their customers finding it

I shop on a lot of sites that have credit cards first and I find PayPal just fine if they accept it.

I think no matter what etsy does, there are people that will complain

[dahliasoleil]

I think customers can see the choices and they choose what's best for them.My sales have also been a mix of DC and PayPal...from both new and not so new buyers.

[ModernSwitch]

I think a lot of it has to do with if your buyer is also a seller. A seller on Etsy is more likely to use Paypal since the money is in their account over a credit card. I also noticed towards the end of the month people start paying with Paypal more then with DC. I always get a little nervous that last week because I always have a large Etsy bill due and use my Paypal for shipping....but it hasn't failed once...I've always gotten enough paypal orders in at the last few days to pay the Etsy bill....which explains why I probably get more DC orders in the beggining of the month...sellers have just gotten done paying their Etsy bill from Paypal and are broke but want to buy something LOL.

I think a lot of people who complain about the buttons being to hard to find just dont buy things online....I buy stuff on Etsy all the time and both buttons are right next to each other....and surprise surprise it's like that on every other website too....oh yes even on Amazon....in fact...Amazon wants me to use their Amazon Credit Card first! (and I do, because hey, free points!), but if I didn't.....why I just click the next choice down. Not hard at all!

[Former_Member]

I think people who 'winge' and 'bemoan' about DC being first, are not giving our customers credit for being smart enough to navigate online buying.

DC and Paypal are clear, and as buyers people can make the distinction.

I just started DC about a week ago and I think its fine. Anything that gives customers the opertunity to purchase items is quite alright with me. I actually have alot of sales through DC and in that way, it rocks!

I dislkie the 'hold' and the three day wait time seems....well,.... I want to say unreasonable....but I think I am going to say 'innefective' because it doesn't seem that there is a really good reason behind the three day hold. I think the catch all phrase is security....but what does that 'security' really entail..?. and is it effective? It seems me if Etsy suspects that there are BIG ISSUES with someone..... the three day hold isn't going to make one whit of difference.

I would like etsy to revamp that aspect, but all in all, I think Etsy is doing pretty good with the natural progression of taking Etsy to a Direct Checkout system... ( knock on wood...tee hee ...Now somthing will go horribly wrong and I will hate it...tee hee- just kidding.)..its good...and so far it seems to be working and I enjoy the sales.....

[VisionQuest]

i turned DC back on on the 3rd.. and every sale since has been thru DC (all 11)..most of the buyers are new to etsy (9 out of 11)

my point is (i know you were wondering) is that i'm sure that most people think that the only CC payment option is DC, not Paypal because this is what they see
www.flickr.com/photos/kimzvisionquest/7695380700/in/photostream

i just wish that etsy would put the SAME credit card icons after Paypal as they do for the first option

it is misleading..

.. and if they weren't offering the 3% "discount" i probably not be offering DC again

[SerenaSmithLampwork]

what difference does it make to the customer if they use paypal to process their credit card or direct checkout?

if it makes a difference to the seller, then don't enable dc and then all your customers - those who use their paypal balance and those who use a cc - will only use paypal.

but, as far as the shopper goes if they want to use paypal then they will. it doesn't make any difference to the buyer who processes their credit card. i've checked out on etsy and it is perfectly clear. i made the choice how to do my purchase, just like i do on every other site where i shop.

[AlaiynaBSoaps]

Putting the credit card icons next to both the DC AND the Paypal options would be very, very confusing. Those who already have paypal accounts know how to use paypal, those who do not have a paypal account are not going to sign up for one just to use a credit card if they do not have to (and yes, I know you can use a credit card so many times on paypal before you have to open an account).

The point of Direct Checkout is to make buying quick and easy for the buyer and sometimes that means the seller has to make some concessions to keep their buyers happy and coming back.

As a buyer who has a paypal account and always prefers to use my credit card (I get far more protection from my credit card company than Paypal), I will always use direct checkout first before having to go through all of the steps to use paypal to pay with my credit card.


Using Paypal:
1. Redirect from Etsy and Log in to paypal
2. Choose to select a different payment option (paypal will always default to your paypal balance first, your verified bank account second and you have to manually choose an alternate souce like a credit card - which you can only do if you have not Paypal Balance as that will always be used first)
3. Select my credit card as the payment source
4. Submit payment
5. Be redirected back to Etsy
6. Submit the order

Using DC
1. Enter credit card info
2. Submit order

Much more convenient for buyers who either do not have a paypal account or have a paypal account but want to use a credit card. Again, the point of Direct Checkout is quick and easy checkout for the buyer. Happy buyers = Happy Sellers.

[heartsabustin]

I'm getting more people check out with DC, but there are others choosing PayPal. I really don't care, as long as I get my money.