POLL: To Paypal or Not to Paypal: That is the question!

**sapito318** · 06-12-2009, 01:55 PM

In light of Sluggo's recent post regarding the recent (and substantial) changes to Paypal, I am considering removing myself from them. I have given them countless dollars over the past few years and all they do is continue to monopolize and then take more money from us, also they are VERY fishy, almost illegally so, when it comes to a "Resolution Claim". They can and WILL hold your money by draining your bank account claiming that they are holding it until the claim is resolved, which can range from 90-180 days, and have done so to many people, B&B members included.

Anyways, I am very serious about considering stopping my transactions with them. I hope this thread can help to clear things up and help others decide how they want to better manage their online payments, and also avoid the risk of being suckered by Paypal's gimmicks. Just Google "Paypal Horror Stories" and you'll see what I mean. Its really quite scary, especially for those of us who have our bank accounts and credit cards linked the Paypal. If you have had a scary story, then please let us know here!

**Trippy** · 06-12-2009, 01:58 PM

I think alot of us are sick of paypal, and no doubt seek an alternative, but thats the problem....there isn't really a widely accepted alternative. Between ebay, and millions of online merchants, its pratically become ubiquitous. Im sure a large portion of us would jump ship if we could, but our hands our tied.

**sapito318** · 06-12-2009, 02:00 PM

Agreed that at places such as ebay and several online shops, Paypal is the only option. However, on the BST we have the option of sending checks or money orders instead which is a WIDELY unused option and also one that simply is not preferred.

**krissy** · 06-12-2009, 02:23 PM

I'm not fond of the fee's but I know why I'm being charged. I don't like that I get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But I also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but I had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer I like the fact I can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side I can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So I can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

**AsylumGuido** · 06-12-2009, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by krissy

I'm not fond of the fee's but I know why I'm being charged. I don't like that I get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But I also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but I had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer I like the fact I can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side I can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So I can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

Krissy nailed it. I'm for paypal for all the same reasons. As I have mentioned before, my wife does eBay selling of vintage items and paypal simply makes life so much easier. It is a pain having to wait for a money order when a paypal payment is instant and you can have the item in the mail using a paypal linked mailing label that very day. It is well worth the fee for a premier account.

**flyfishinzs** · 06-12-2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by krissy

i'm not fond of the fee's but i know why i'm being charged. I don't like that i get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But i also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but i had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer i like the fact i can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side i can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So i can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

Originally Posted by asylumguido

krissy nailed it. I'm for paypal for all the same reasons. As i have mentioned before, my wife does ebay selling of vintage items and paypal simply makes life so much easier. It is a pain having to wait for a money order when a paypal payment is instant and you can have the item in the mail using a paypal linked mailing label that very day. It is well worth the fee for a premier account.

+1

**Gruder** · 06-12-2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by Trippy

I think alot of us are sick of paypal, and no doubt seek an alternative, but thats the problem....there isn't really a widely accepted alternative. Between ebay, and millions of online merchants, its pratically become ubiquitous. Im sure a large portion of us would jump ship if we could, but our hands our tied.

+1. It's realistically the only game in town.

**sapito318** · 06-12-2009, 02:38 PM

I share many of the same views. I guess its just YYMV. I am not planning on going ape and cutting off paypal from everything, but I think I'll definitely limit my balance as well as paying for large transactions just to be safe...

**e d o** · 06-12-2009, 03:02 PM

I have no love for paypal. They really jerked me around over a laptop sale. For weeks I thought I may have lost $600. If we all had Google Checkout accounts there would be a good and cheaper alternative. I have one, do you?

**tlanning** · 06-12-2009, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by krissy

I'm not fond of the fee's but I know why I'm being charged. I don't like that I get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But I also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but I had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer I like the fact I can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side I can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So I can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

+1 I still use PP and love the ease of receiving my funds when a transactions concluded. However, FYI I experienced a very bad situation which as it turned out was my fault due to shipping an item to an area of the world that other vendors in my line excluded in formatted fashion on every one of there listings/bar none. They had all already learned. Anyway I had concluded 3 transactions on vintage timepieces totaling in excess of $11,000, which was a ton of money for me. My PP account was actually, "FROZEN" pending the resolution of a minor claim from 6 weeks prior. It remained that way for 111 days!! Believe me when I say there are horror stories. Well my story ended OK and I still Value ands use my paypal account. Its really perfect for here. But I now exclude certain countries, (with no exceptions) from my listings.

**sapito318** · 06-12-2009, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by e d o

I have no love for paypal. They really jerked me around over a laptop sale. For weeks I thought I may have lost $600. If we all had Google Checkout accounts there would be a good and cheaper alternative. I have one, do you?

Ah, yes that is another option although I am not as familiar with them. Can they be used similarly as paypal?

**dviloria** · 06-12-2009, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by e d o

I have no love for paypal. They really jerked me around over a laptop sale. For weeks I thought I may have lost $600. If we all had Google Checkout accounts there would be a good and cheaper alternative. I have one, do you?

I was not aware that Google Checkout provided for payments or transfers to individuals. If they did that would be great.

**adonnellyr** · 06-12-2009, 03:24 PM

The questions in this poll seem a little skewed. So I can only like paypal if I plan on using it FOREVER??? What if something better comes along? What if I like it but also use it for its convenience, but would switch to something else that comes along? It seems like the possible answers might really skew results here...

**sapito318** · 06-12-2009, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by dviloria

I was not aware that Google Checkout provided for payments or transfers to individuals. If they did that would be great.

So, I researched this and there is a way to send payments using google checkout.

You have to sign up for a merchant account, then you will be able to send invoices via email to those who owe you payment. Payment will then go directly to your bank account, rather than being saved in a "merchant" account as it does in Paypal.

**professorchaos** · 06-12-2009, 03:34 PM

Don't really care for their insistence that Paypal accounts be linked to bank accounts. Due to this policy, one day soon I will have to take what would otherwise be the unnecessary step of opening a second account. Beyond that, PayPal provides a service which works quite well for me.

**makays** · 06-12-2009, 04:08 PM

I've used PayPal on eBay far more than here on B&B. I have never had any problems with PayPal

**thunderball** · 06-12-2009, 04:17 PM

The only problem I've had is when sellers were surprised/angry that they got dinged with a $3 fee because my PayPal account is linked to a credit card, not a bank account. They then come back to me wanting 3 more dollars, which is okay I guess but I think the seller should figure all these things out for themselves before making a sale....

**blackfoot** · 06-12-2009, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by krissy

I'm not fond of the fee's but I know why I'm being charged. I don't like that I get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But I also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but I had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer I like the fact I can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side I can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So I can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

Krissy has it. Paypal has saved me twice when I would have lost a couple of thousand dollars. Plus, the convenience is great. However, I know there are problems as will any other system that replaces it.

**Basset** · 06-12-2009, 06:16 PM

I've only sold stuff here and on the Pentrace fountain pen board. I use Paypal mostly for buying.

I guess I will tell buyers: check or money order is fine, and item ships when payment clears. If you want faster delivery, here's the extra Paypal fees you'd have to pay. Let the buyer choose.

**brothers** · 06-12-2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by krissy

I'm not fond of the fee's but I know why I'm being charged. I don't like that I get charged a fee be it a transfer of funds transaction the same as a credit card. But I also understand it's cheaper than going to a credit card service and paying a monthly fee (just to have the service) plus a per transaction fee. And it's nice to be able to offer customers the option of using their debit or credit card.

The resolution department needs a whole makeover because there are a lot of loopholes in it for those that have had problems know about them. I also dislike that a cc company (not the buyer) can do a chargeback out of the blue on some items. Had that happen to me twice, but I had delivery confirmation on both so it was no big deal, other than the momentary panic attack. One of them was even about 4-5 months after they were purchased.

As a buyer I like the fact I can click a button and the seller has their money.

On the plus side I can use the hidden link to print postage even on my personal packages as well as business ones. Which is nice for first class packages so i don't have to run to the post office. So I can use paypal for that where as click-n-ship is only for priority classed packages.

So all-in-all i'm still using them.

Yes, Paypal works for me everytime. It's fast and secure and it works!