Author Topic: Paypal Alternatives (Read 117 times)

hydrargyrum · « **on:** October 30, 2008, 01:19:18 PM »

Hey everyone,

I am getting fed up with paypal's policies, and was hoping that someone might be able to point me in the direction of a good alternative. I am upset becuase paypal has placed a hold on some funds I received from an ebay auction. This is the first time I have had this happen, and frankly the explanation seems to involve a change in paypal's rules regarding ebay's new feedback system. Regardless, I would like to hear from those of you who have had good experiences with alternate forms of online transactions. Thanks in advance.

goop · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2008, 02:50:05 PM »

I can't say I have a good alternate online suggestion, but this same type of thing happened to me before the feedback changes. A buyer reported to Paypal that I did not send the item to him at all and Paypal withdrew and froze the funds from my credit card. I kept telling the buyer and Paypal that UPS was leaving notes on his door to call and arrange to receive his package because he was never home. The buyer insisted I had not delivered the item at all. After sorting through this with both parties, all was fine. Even though this hardly seems fair, I appreciate having this recourse as a buyer. You will likely get your funds at the end of the day. Good luck.

Colin

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:20:55 PM »

Thanks for the encouragement (and commiseration) Colin. I know things will probably work out, but this was an international transaction, and I feel as though I am the one who stands to lose out here. Ah well, guess I had better toss the dice.

bsee · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2008, 09:05:35 PM »

Paypal is increasing the level of buyer protection they are providing and making it harder for scammers to run off with the money, which is a good thing. It makes sense that they're starting to act like an escrow account to protect themselves. As a seller, you will need to make sure that everything you ship includes delivery confirmation to prove it was sent/received should there be a dispute. Photographs of the item being shipped are a good idea in case the dispute is based on the item's condition. Delivery insurance should be up to you unless Paypal forces you to include it.

Admittedly, I don't like their fees or having to do it all their way, but I don't see a better option for doing remote business with an unknown private party.

-bob

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #4 on:** October 31, 2008, 03:18:11 AM »

I understand your point Bob, but this all came out of the dark for me. Had I known that paypal would require this, I wouldn't have used them. I never had this happen before. Now I am probably going to forced into a different shipping method that is more expensive so I can add international tracking. I wouldn't have minded this if I could have just known up front, but now I feel obligated to eat the additional cost. This on top of the fees paypal takes (which frankly are exorbitant IMHO for a site that really only provides a secure transaction. I guess I am still venting here.

flaxattack · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2008, 08:00:09 AM »

paypal backed me up when a swindler tried to convince them that the 4 items i sent didnt show up. he bid on these items without asking if i would combine for shipping and after the bids ended he dictated how much he would pay for shipping and if i didnt agree he would file a claim for non receipt with paypal. after pp blew him off he filed a claim with amex. pp took care of it for me. i got my money and he got flaxed

LMiwa · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2008, 08:41:21 AM »

I may soon be selling a bass overseas as well. I've read pages and pages of eBay and PayPal info on seller protection and chargebacks.

It seems that if I have a tracking number and the buyer signs for the package, they can't claim that they didn't receive it.

If you ship to the VERIFIED address shown on the PayPal transaction details page, they can't claim credit card fraud.

So their only other scam option is to claim that what they received is not what they paid for. That one's a little harder for the seller to prove. Not sure how to prove that I actually shipped the bass I said I would and didn't substitute something else (same size, same shape, same weight, etc.).

My hope is that, based on the buyer's feedback, he seems to be a reputable instrument buyer, with a number of previous bass purchases, and 100% positive feedback.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2008, 02:59:16 PM »

(At this time, only addresses in Canada, the United Kingdom and United States can be Confirmed.)

I hope you are selling to one of these countries, otherwise beware.

bsee · « **Reply #8 on:** November 11, 2008, 10:34:22 AM »

Keep your heads up on this one. eBay has announced that they will no longer let sellers use check or money order as payment options at some point in the near future. Sellers will be required to use something like PayPal or a credit card processing system, only secured methods of payment. To me, it sounds like this may be the opportunity for some other auction site to gain popularity. Maybe Craigslist can come up with the financing and infrastructure to do so, since they already have a sizable audience of buyers and sellers?

yggdrasil · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2008, 12:33:45 PM »

>eBay has announced that they will no longer let sellers use check or money order as payment options at some point in the near future

That sucks, Bob - another cash grab by ebay/paypal.How did this monopoly ever arise without a viable competitor?

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2008, 02:39:31 PM »

That's kind of what I have been wondering Frank. By the way, I finally got the hold cleared on my transaction. Thankfully the international buyer was honest, and left positive feedback. Now I just have to wait the three to four days for paypal to transfer the funds to my bank. Sigh . . .