Posted on 08/26/2010 10:34:11 AM PDT by McGarrett
I'm starting my own on-line business and, despite some reservations, have been planning to use Paypal to handle subscription payments. They claimed that potential customers didn't need to have a Paypal account. Now in testing the payment links, I have found that Paypal will apparently force customers to create a Paypal account when they pay me. At one time folks were not happy with them, but I was thinking they had improved. Please let me know of your recent experiences with Paypal. What is their reputation? Would having to go through Paypal change your mind about buying a product or service? Should I switch to a different firm to handle payments?
I’ve never had a problem with paypal as a consumer. Its fast, safe, and easy to use.
i’ve been using paypal since they first came out. the only thing I don’t like is that they will only credit my bank account, not my credit card. other than that, no prob.
As a last resort. PayPal has an ~approximate 4% vig to use the service and from what I understand now, payments are kept in escrow for 21 days in order for PayPal to make money on the funds, whoops, no it’s keep in escrow in order to protect the buyer in the event there is a problem with the transaction.
I like paypal fine. It avoids me having to disclose card numbers to the individual business I’m buying from, and the security is reasonably good. I had one minor security issue ... about $40.00 was taken unauthorized, but it was fully restored within a couple of days.
SnakeDoc
I’ve never had a problem with PayPal; I’ve been using PayPal for 10 years (I sell a lot on Ebay). Bear in mind that they have a blanket prohibition against being used for the sale of firearms and related items.
I refuse to give PayPal my bank account information. There have been too many documented occurrence in which they abused it.
As a merchant, I would be very wary of PayPal. They will freeze funds in your account at the drop of a hat.
More info at: http://paypalsucks.com/.
I’ve purchased tons of things and have received payments through paypal. Have never had a problem. Very safe and secure. A very reliable middleman/fund transfer point between banks/parties.
I’ve never had a problem with Pay Pal either.
Paypal also gives you points/credits for purchases that you can actually use to buy stuff.
Despite their relative high interest, convenience and cash back rebates, I'll never keep much money with them for that reason.
I like Paypal, and having been buying and selling using it for years.
But, like you say. They can be a aggressive nuisance at times. I have a special Paypal account, and keep it low-funded. If my web business was bigger I would have alternate payment methods established and operable in addition to paypal.
I was recently informed that they would no longer be issuing temporary credit cards to make purchases.
Since that is all I have been using them for I asked them to close my account and send me a check.
They now have a list of recommended merchants that they want people to use. I usually buy my printer ink on the internet and the merchant they are recommending is selling at full retail. I can get that price at Staples.
I’ve had an account with them for years. I use it seldom — primarily to make purchases from unfamiliar suppliers.
I’ve never had a problem with PayPal.
Paypal will have the power to reverse credits in your BANK account should a customer complain. You will have to undergo several weeks of dispute resolution before they make ‘their decision’.
Think about it. You have funds posted to your account, you pay bills and a while later you wake up to find funds in your account taken out possibly leaving a negative balance.
Many unscrupulous nay outright dishonest customers know how to game the PayPal system to their favor.
You should consider an alternative.
I like paypal.
I know some people have been really burned by paypal, and hate it. But I can tell you this.
I have vision problems, and I am literally ten times as likely to buy something if it has paypal. It is a real hassle for me to sit and get my CC, type it (I always get it wrong the first couple of times)etc.
I sometimes impulse purchase with paypal. Woot always gets me, also I donate to FR using it freely. I just bought a large ticket item with it, that I wouldn’t if they had only CC. I don’t impulse purchase with a credit card, because it gives me a chance to think if I REALLY want it, and if I don’t I probably forget about it.
I’ve been trying to talk conservative candidates into using paypal, because I will donate a lot more if they get it. $5 here and there is just a few strokes of the keyboard, and anytime I think about it and have some extra cash, I’ll do it - if they have paypal.
This is my personal take on it. For me the difference is huge. For others, I don’t know. I know some people have had real hassles with them.
No! Will not use paypal. They are a$$holes.
Be aware of the terms and rules up front, you won't have problems.
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