Do You Like Paypal?

08/26/2010 | Mcgarrett

[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?

[McGarrett]

I would really appreciate some feedback

[goseminoles]

I’ve never had a problem with paypal as a consumer. Its fast, safe, and easy to use.

[camle]

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.

[j.argese]

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.

[SnakeDoctor]

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

[Abin Sur]

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.

[justlurking]

I won't use PayPal to pay a merchant, unless that merchant accepts VISA (there are some PayPal options that allow that, albeit with a substantial service fee).

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/.

[cotton1706]

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.

[a real Sheila]

I’ve never had a problem with Pay Pal either.

[frogjerk]

In my experience I have never had an issue with them. Their services available have increased and they have their combined credit/debit portals which makes it easier to manage your accounts.

Paypal also gives you points/credits for purchases that you can actually use to buy stuff.

[Vigilanteman]

Keep documentation on your account and/or check on and create it from time to time. My brother had a small account to buy and sell on eBay, didn't use it for awhile, then couldn't prove to their satisfaction that he owned it when he went back to use it after a hiatus. So they basically stole everything he had which, fortunately, was not much.

Despite their relative high interest, convenience and cash back rebates, I'll never keep much money with them for that reason.

[bvw]

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.

[oldbrowser]

I was recently a PayPal merchant and received some payments in that account. Over time a used less of a PayPal for receipts and more for purchasing things on the internet.

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.

[TomGuy]

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.

[Hostage]

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.

http://www.screw-paypal.com/

You should consider an alternative.

[ohiobuckeye1997]

Be very wary of paypal, they will screw the seller in a heartbeat. Buyer fraud is very common and sadly easy. Fraudsters search out and prey on newbies. Many sellers refer to it as fraudpal. Do your research on other options before picking these bassers. Ever heard of chargebacks? You loose your money and you pay them a 10.00 fee for the privilege of being robbed....total crooks!

[dalebert]

I like paypal.

[I still care]

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.

[mad_as_he$$]

No! Will not use paypal. They are a$$holes.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I buy a lot on EBAY, things I can't find at all in St. Augustine. Shipping is cheaper than driving to Jacksonville. I've had no problems with PayPal. I've also sold a few items, no problems with PayPal here.

Be aware of the terms and rules up front, you won't have problems.