Paypal Peeve

[nenard]

Its about the best way thus far. No waiting for checks that never come or need to clear first. In some cases Ive paid the three percent in addition to the cost of the item. Its not always possible but I do it when I can. Both parties are protected and any problems Paypal works it out. Gift it and something happens your screwed.

[Smokin Joe]

Many sellers offer the option to send a money order. This method offers no protection. As far as paypal fees, I have spent thousands using paypal and see no harm using thier gift option.

[WhiteWolf McBride]

Smart Racer:

I dinna know that about loss of safety with the 'send as gift' option, and appreciate the heads up.

There is a growing alternative to PayPal, at least within Canada: Interac electronic email transfers http://www.interac.ca/

At present, it is only good within Canada (Canadian bank w/ Canadian funds), but that may change. My idjit nephew always sends me money that way, and its convenient as all he-ck.

As for PayPal fees - I often chip in to cover half the fees if I'm buying, and they offered a good price and are going the extra mile with "shipping issues" (aka the boneheads at Customs, and using USPS instead of couriers). There are a few retailers that ask for a 'subsidy', and because they have what I want, and at a better price even with the tack-on, I do it (non-eBay)

If I see it on eBay, I report 'em. They can have their seller status revoked for asking.

As for here... I think any seller that ASKS for the 'gift' option or the subsidy, should be noted and their buy/sell access revoked. Its like sales tax for a retailer, its the cost of doing business - don't like it, QUIT.

And for what its worth... 3% is MUCH less than ~any~ sales tax anywhere I know that HAS tax.

Just my 2 Cdn. coppers,
Whitewolf

[tc1cat]

As I am 1 of the "Cheapskates", I feel that I should voice my opinion on this. 1) If the recipient of the money is a business member he gets charged a fee for every transaction. So it is not 3% but whatever paypal wants to charge the business member. This is the fee for being a business member. 2) After so many transactions paypal will automatically change your status to an advantage member- takes over $5000 worth of transactions in 1 year. Mine was changed to this last month so I know this is a fact! 3) Why pay paypal to handle an electronic transaction? This is all done by computer with no one doing a thing. 4) Paypal is part of ebay now. With ebays' rising fees, do you really want to make them just that much more money? 5) Security??? Is there any real security in any of the ways to send money to someone for anything? NO!!! You can get ripped off even when each party does everything possible to get things right. Again, this is from experience. After having my paypal account changed I am now asking for money orders instead of using paypal. Again this is because I do not wish to have my paypal account changed again to a business member. Ebay is making enough money off of me as it is