Alternatives to Paypal?

ONETHREE · November 24, 2006 4:53AM

Anyone sell on ebay and use another payment system such as bid pay? Any suggestions? I would like to accept payments such as e-checks where it is a flat 5.00 fee for processing the payment.

DorkGirl · November 24, 2006 4:55AM

Over the years I have tried to use alternatives, but no one wants to change, they want to use PayPal. I gave up.

bhartman35 · November 24, 2006 4:57AM

I've never used another payment system to sell, but I've bid on auctions that didn't use Ebay, and I've sent the money electronically through my bank. You might want to suggest that as an option for people. It could save you time. If you accept electronic payments to your account, it could get there more quickly, and if you don't, you'll probably just be sent a check from the buyer's bank.

SilverEagles92 · November 24, 2006 5:04AM

I was reading a week or two ago that Google has some kind of online payment system. Never seen it or used it, though.

ebaytrader · November 24, 2006 5:08AM

<< I was reading a week or two ago that Google has some kind of online payment system. Never seen it or used it, though. >>

Google Checkout. Very interesting and 33% cheaper than PayPal.

Deadhorse · November 24, 2006 5:13AM

<< I was reading a week or two ago that Google has some kind of online payment system. Never seen it or used it, though. >>

Stay away from Google. Even if morals mean nothing to you, stay away for your own good.

Their searchbar is spyware, their g-mail is suspect as well and they don't have anyone's interests but their own at heart.

Considering their allignment with the Red Chinese and the people who have suffered prison and death thanks to them, I think we should all boycott them till they shrivel and die.

Paypal is far from perfect as we all know, but at least they don't have blood on their hands while acting as if they are some pure and innocent company.

notwilight · November 24, 2006 5:20AM

Noting Deadhorse's opinion and recognizing his right to that, I'm very glad to see Google competing with Paypal. Since paypal is aligned with Ebay it will take an established giant like google to challenge them. Only competition will keep rates low and customer service high. I will be investigating Google payment for my future auctions.

--Jerry

bhartman35 · November 24, 2006 5:29AM

The thing you should remember about Google Checkout is that it doesn't integrate into Ebay. This means that while it might be fine in its own right, it won't be the cakewalk PayPal is. I've got a Google Checkout account, but I haven't yet looked into how to integrate it into Ebay. More important, I'm pretty sure that using Google Checkout is against Ebay usage policies.

The morals of Google is something best left to the open forum.

Dog97 · November 24, 2006 5:32AM

I've finally got PayPal figured out & they have worked most of the bugs out, so as a seller I have no interest in new or 3rd world payment services.

MisterBungle · November 24, 2006 5:32AM

> "Google Checkout. Very interesting and 33% cheaper than PayPal. "
-------------------------------------------------------------
Which is all well and good, except nobody uses it!!

I just don't get why people do not want to use PayPal.
Sure it costs you, but it costs you more by chasing off
bidders when you don't accept PayPal.

I never use a credit card through PayPal, so sellers
like me more, but I've gotten to where now, if a
seller doesn't accept PayPal, I just move on. I mean,
at any one time there are over 6,000 coins on eBay
just with PCGS grading!!

If you're selling an 1804 dollar, it may not make any
difference, but if you're selling a widget, you are
killing yourself by not taking PayPal.

</rant>

~

bhartman35 · November 24, 2006 5:39AM

Very rarely, I'll bid on an item where the seller doesn't take PayPal. In general, I try to stay away from such auctions. Not merely for the convenience (since it's essentially just as easy to pay someone online through my bank) but because I've learned to be wary of such sellers. (Not casting aspersions on anyone here, but the population of Ebayers is much larger than the population of this forum). When you're buying, the protection they offer is comforting. On the flip side, I know there have been sellers who have had problems w/ chargebacks and such. As a seller, I guess it depends on how high your tolerance is for such things, vs. how much business you can afford to write off by not using PayPal.

notwilight · November 24, 2006 5:41AM

<< The thing you should remember about Google Checkout is that it doesn't integrate into Ebay. This means that while it might be fine in its own right, it won't be the cakewalk PayPal is. I've got a Google Checkout account, but I haven't yet looked into how to integrate it into Ebay. More important, I'm pretty sure that using Google Checkout is against Ebay usage policies. The morals of Google is something best left to the open forum. >>

If using Google checkout is against ebay policies, and ebay owns paypal, I sense an antitrust issue on the near horizon.

I don't want to replace Paypal. I would give sellers the choice if they're the same price. And as soon as Google starts taking business away from paypal, they will be the same price. If there are two payment systems to choose from, then rates will be lower. If there is only one, then they will sets the rates high. See telephone rates for what competition will do for you.

--Jerry

robertpr · November 24, 2006 5:53AM

while acting as if they are some pure and innocent company

Companies exist to make money, not to be pure, innocent, or aligned with anyone's interests except the shareholders and board members.

ONETHREE · November 24, 2006 6:00AM

My reasons are simple. I just wanted to only accept e-checks for an auction. I have seen this done numerous times on ebay. They yanked my auction because I did not want to accept credit cards and under their policy I am forced to do so if offering paypal. I really don't believe this is legal. Further you can choose to accept credit cards or not if not using paypal as a seller. However you are required to accept them if using paypal. Hmmmn.

Dog97 · November 24, 2006 6:25AM

<<>>
If it's not then some slimey lawyer will start a class action.

<<<Further you can choose to accept credit cards or not if not using paypal as a seller.>>>
That's so you can accept credit cards without having to be a PayPal member, in case you are a legit business that already accepts cc.

<<<However you are required to accept them if using paypal. Hmmmn. >>>
With PP you either accept all payment methods or none at all.

You want the PayPal benefit of more buyers bidding but don't want to pay any extra for the benefit. It doesn't work that way.

Russ · November 24, 2006 6:27AM

<< I never use a credit card through PayPal, so sellers
like me more >>

I don't know why they would like you more. The seller is paying the same fees whether or not you use a credit card.

Russ, NCNE

Coins101 · November 24, 2006 6:29AM

<< My reasons are simple. I just wanted to only accept e-checks for an auction. I have seen this done numerous times on ebay. They yanked my auction because I did not want to accept credit cards and under their policy I am forced to do so if offering paypal. I really don't believe this is legal. Further you can choose to accept credit cards or not if not using paypal as a seller. However you are required to accept them if using paypal. Hmmmn. >>

This is a policy change they made a while back. As you said, you now have to accept credit cards if you accept PayPal (which means PayPal gets 3% on every PayPal payment, be it cash or credit card). I use to have two PayPal accounts, one for cash payments and one for credit cards. This was disclosed in my listing and eBay started pulling them stating I had to accept credit cards. I told them the listing indicates I do but they said by saying one account only accepts cash, I violated the rule.

ONETHREE · November 24, 2006 6:30AM

I guess paying $30.00 or in one case $85.00 dollars on top of the auction fees the for processing a payment does not sit right with me. Call me crazy. The benefit does not seem to be in keeping with the price. I don't mind paying for the processing. If I don't want to accept credit cards, forcing me to do so is generally known as unlawful tying, or bundling services in a way that results in maximizing profit for one side at the expense of the other. If someone wants to buy with a credit card they are free to ignore my auction.

Russ · November 24, 2006 6:30AM

<< They yanked my auction because I did not want to accept credit cards and under their policy I am forced to do so if offering paypal. I really don't believe this is legal. >>

It's perfectly legal and clearly spelled out in their TOS.

<< I guess paying $30.00 or in one case $85.00 dollars on top of the auction fees the for processing a payment does not sit right with me. >>

Then can we assume that you only pay cash for everything you buy? Every time you use a credit card the merchant is paying fees. It's part of doing business.

Russ, NCNE

notwilight · November 24, 2006 6:35AM

<< 

<< My reasons are simple. I just wanted to only accept e-checks for an auction. I have seen this done numerous times on ebay. They yanked my auction because I did not want to accept credit cards and under their policy I am forced to do so if offering paypal. I really don't believe this is legal. Further you can choose to accept credit cards or not if not using paypal as a seller. However you are required to accept them if using paypal. Hmmmn. >>

This is a policy change they made a while back. As you said, you now have to accept credit cards if you accept PayPal (which means PayPal gets 3% on every PayPal payment, be it cash or credit card). I use to have two PayPal accounts, one for cash payments and one for credit cards. This was disclosed in my listing and eBay started pulling them stating I had to accept credit cards. I told them the listing indicates I do but they said by saying one account only accepts cash, I violated the rule. >>

I used to do it the same as Russ and it worked fine. Now my other paypal account is mostly useless. What you are seeing, in my opinion, it the negative side of the incestuous reltionship between Ebay and Paypal. Thus I've posted my preference to see some competition move in. Getting Paypal and Ebay together was, in my opinion, positive for a while but now they're becoming too powerful and forcing us to pay higher fees. But the free market is coming to the rescue (in the guise of Google) and all will be well in the end. We have plenty of busybodies keeping the big guys from taking advantage of the little guys so we don't really have to worry.

Sorry I kindo hijacked your thread away from the Bidpay question. Every time I've had to use bidpay I din't like it--seems they add fees to the buyer's total or something I didn't like.

So for now it's either Paypal with credit cards at 3% or no paypal at all. --Jerry

ONETHREE · November 24, 2006 6:39AM

As far as it being legal I'll have to agree to disagree on that topic.

I guess we will see what the department of consumer affairs in California and Florida have to say about it. There are limitations on freedom of contract and simply disclosing it or making it your company policy does not mean it complies with applicable state and federal statutes which are considered implied into all contracts.

Dog97 · November 24, 2006 7:43AM

<<>>

Hey I agree with that. Add another $15-$20 to mail it too.

<<<If someone wants to buy with a credit card they are free to ignore my auction.>>>

I have no problems with sellers not taking PayPal. You can even hold my personal check for 10 days. I don't care. You take checks, right?
But please please I'm begging you please don't make me pay with a money order. I HATE having to go wait in line & the bank to cash a check to get the cash; then drive to the other side of town to go wait in the line at the Post Office to buy a Money Order with the cash.

MisterBungle · November 24, 2006 7:48AM

ONETHREE wrote, in part:

> "I guess we will see what the department of consumer affairs in California and Florida have to say about it."
---------------------------------------------------------

I'm sure eBay has a fully stocked legal department
who have already done all the legwork you are
getting ready to do, but if that's the way you want
to spend your time...

You know, you can always just say, screw PayPal,
and just take checks and money orders.

I remember when that was all I ever sent or
received. It worked fine.

~

stman · November 24, 2006 8:51AM

Since I have no doubt everybody is honest and claims their sales/profits on ebay...... The fees for Paypal just makes your taxable income less to report. So IMO it shouldn't be a big deal. Make some money, report some money, pay some fees.... That's what business is all about I thought.

lordmarcovan · November 24, 2006 1:49PM

<< Alternatives to Paypal? >>

Carrier pigeons with dollar bills rubber-banded to their legs?

Seriously, though... what DorkGirl said.

wayneherndon · November 24, 2006 2:12PM

Ebay has the following to say about other alternatives. If nothing else, there's a nice list for you to look into:

Payment Services permitted on eBay: Allpay.net, Bidpay, Canadian Tire Money, cash2india, CertaPay, Checkfree.com, hyperwallet.com, Moneybookers.com, Ozpay.biz, Paymate.com.au, Propay.com, XOOM

Payment Services not permitted on eBay: AlertPay.com, anypay.com, AuctionChex.com, AuctionPix.com, Billpay, i.e., Billpoint.com, ecount.com, cardserviceinternational.com, CCAvenue, ecount, e-gold, eHotPay.com, ePassporte.com, EuroGiro, FastCash.com, Google Checkout, gcash, GearPay, Goldmoney.com, graphcard.com, greenzap.com, ikobo.com, Liberty Dollars, Moneygram.com, neteller.com, Netpay.com, Nochex.com, Payko.com, paychest.com, payingfast.com, paypay, Postepay, Qchex.com, rupay.com, scripophily.com, sendmoneyorder.com, stamps, Stormpay, wmtransfer.com, xcoin.com.

wayneherndon · November 24, 2006 2:13PM

Something just doesn't sound right about: "we accept checks, money orders, major credit cards, PayPal and Canadian Tire Money."

WH

flaminio · November 24, 2006 2:37PM

I didn't realize BidPay was back in business. Looks like a Brand New BidPay -- it didn't recognize my account from the WUAP days. I signed up for an account -- always good to give buyers options, IMHO.

Now about those Canadian Tires... Are they Z-rated?

ajia · November 24, 2006 2:55PM

Payment Services not permitted on eBay: ....... Liberty Dollars, ......

Damn, I wouldn't mind getting paid in Liberty Dollars.

dthigpen · November 24, 2006 9:59PM

<< As far as it being legal I'll have to agree to disagree on that topic.

I guess we will see what the department of consumer affairs in California and Florida have to say about it. There are limitations on freedom of contract and simply disclosing it or making it your company policy does not mean it complies with applicable state and federal statutes which are considered implied into all contracts. >>

Pretty naive, eh? Truth be told, PayPal is a fairly low cost transaction processor for small-medium volume businesses, especially if you were to say, take AMEX through a traditional merchant account otherwise.

flaminio · November 25, 2006 12:23AM

<< Damn, I wouldn't mind getting paid in Liberty Dollars.

>>

Really? An ounce of silver for each $20 of purchase?

Alternatives to Paypal?

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