Paypal

[Log Catcher]

Since the thread about online buying is bringing up a lot about Paypal I thought I would start one. I don't have a Paypal account but have considered it. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using this. I have had credit cards compromised twice. I don't want something else that would be a security risk. Thanks for any info.

[redmeansdistortion]

I like PayPal since it gives a second avenue of protection when it comes to buying.  They tend to side with the buyer in my experience.  I have my PayPal linked to a completely separate account at my financial institution.  I only use that account when I sell something online and PayPal deposits the money to that account.  When I buy, I have it linked to a credit card.  If something goes wrong, I take it up with PayPal first, and if they don't come through I then take it up with my credit card issuer to get my refund.  I've been using PayPal for 20 years and have only had to go through my credit card issuer once to get a refund.  I'd say they're pretty good based on my experience.

[A-Jay]

I have & use Paypal as a buyer & a seller.

They help protect me from foolishness in both venues.

Not a replacement for prudence but an effective back up plan.

If/when you're buying & /or selling on line - I'd recommend it.

A-Jay

[slonezp]

Have done maybe 50 paypal transactions as a buyer and seller. They have been flawless.

[roadwarrior]

Perfect in every way.

 

[Log Catcher]

If I do get it I would be using it as a buyer. I doubt I would use it a seller.

[Way2slow]

First off, I think doing much on ebay would be tough without paypal.  In the past two years I have over 700 ebay transaction, all have been through paypal.   Most of the time, I click on buy it now, that sends me to paypal, I click one more time and it's bought.  Some items, I click on buy it now, and it's bought.  The next screen is saying thank you.

 

Now for the other side of paypal.  Several years ago I had paypal and they tried to put the royal screws to me.  People could do transactions as guest and someone in California politely sent themselves $1,200 off my account and since my account is backed with and AmEx, luckily since there was not that much money, it charged to my AmEx.  I immediately contacted them and they said there was nothing I had to do, they would handle it.   I thought, right!!.  I called AmEx and reported it as a fraudulent charge.  I guess that p****d payplal off and they reported by to AmEx, that I had authorized the transaction, so AmEx denied my claim.  I called Paypal back and they basically blew me off.  I contacted AmEx again and told them paypal lied, I had not approved the charges and explained what paypal did.  Three days later, AmEx approved my claim and dropped the charges off my card. 

I closed my paypal account and said I would not use them again.  Which that has made a liar out of me because, a couple of years ago, I finally gave in and opened another account.  The hassles of trying to buy on the Web without paypal is just not worth it.  A lot of times, I won't buy from a company that does not have paypal as a method of payment, just to keep from jumping through all the hoops required when having to use a card. 

[soflabasser]

I use PayPal and it works well.

[NYWayfarer]

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I have & use Paypal as a buyer & a seller.

They help protect me from foolishness in both venues.

Not a replacement for prudence but an effective back up plan.

If/when you're buying & /or selling on line - I'd recommend it.

A-Jay

As usual A-Jay is the voice of reason. As is often the case with his posts I agree and couldn’t have said it better myself. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

Always choose goods and services when purchasing peer to peer. It’s a pretty bulletproof system.

[Russ E]

I agree with all of the above.

I would not do any business on e-bay without pay pal.

Just wished amazon would accept it.

[Way north bass guy]

1 minute ago, Russ E said:

I agree with all of the above.

I would not do any business on e-bay without pay pal.

Just wished amazon would accept it.

Funny, Amazon.ca does, it’s the only way I buy stuff on there. 

[Way2slow]

I rarely buy anything off Amazon, because of the way they try forcing you into becoming a prime member (or what ever they call it).  If I buy from Amazon, is solely because I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere else.

[Russ E]

14 minutes ago, Way north bass guy said:

Funny, Amazon.ca does, it’s the only way I buy stuff on there. 

the only way i know around it where I live, is to use a paypal debit card. 

That defeats the purpose of using paypal and I don't need another card.

9 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

I rarely buy anything off Amazon, because of the way they try forcing you into becoming a prime member (or what ever they call it).  If I buy from Amazon, is solely because I couldn't find what I was looking for anywhere else.

I am a prime member. not just for purchasing, My wife likes prime movies and tv series.

 

you have to watch what you buy on amazon. Someone stated on another thread how paypal made e-bay more expensive.

If you look at most tackle on amazon. It is often twice the price of most e-bay sellers.

[Dwight Hottle]

Great tool for both buying & selling. Always use it for foreign transactions and any time your not comfortable with the buyer or seller. It generally adds an extra layer of protection above using a credit card. You can link it to a credit card, checking account or bank account for your convenience. 

[Way2slow]

The thing about ebay you have to be careful of the counterfeits.  Batteries for instance, I will not buy any ebay battery, most are fake. 18650's being advertised with stupid amounts of Mah's, when the most a reputable battery can have is about 3,500, most are around 3,200 and most ebay ones have small 1,600mAh cell and they call it 10,000.  LED Flashlights saying the have 12,00 lumins when they are closer to 500. 

A 1000w watt LED grow light advertised for $60 but in reality, its a 125 watt.

A seller jacks his numbers up to make his look better than someone else's, then the next guy has to beat both of those.

If there is an popular item, you can bet the Chinese are probably going to counterfeit if they can make a buck on it.

As you can see, having made of 700 purchases in the past two years, I buy a lot off ebay, mostly small electronic parts and other types of parts, but there is a whole lot I won't buy from there.

[deaknh03]

15 hours ago, Way2slow said:

The thing about ebay you have to be careful of the counterfeits.  Batteries for instance, I will not buy any ebay battery, most are fake. 18650's being advertised with stupid amounts of Mah's, when the most a reputable battery can have is about 3,500, most are around 3,200 and most ebay ones have small 1,600mAh cell and they call it 10,000.  LED Flashlights saying the have 12,00 lumins when they are closer to 500. 

A 1000w watt LED grow light advertised for $60 but in reality, its a 125 watt.

A seller jacks his numbers up to make his look better than someone else's, then the next guy has to beat both of those.

If there is an popular item, you can bet the Chinese are probably going to counterfeit if they can make a buck on it.

As you can see, having made of 700 purchases in the past two years, I buy a lot off ebay, mostly small electronic parts and other types of parts, but there is a whole lot I won't buy from there.

I have 4000 ebay/PayPal transactions and I can say with all certainty, as long as you do a little research, you wont be scammed or ripped off. My transactions are a mix of buying and selling. I have maybe had 1 or 2 transactions where I lost some $, but always as a seller. When buying, if it's not what I wanted, it goes back and the seller pays for shipping, every time. PayPal is the biggest game in town so your forced to play. It's great for buyers, as sellers pay the fee, and as a seller, you need to build the fees into your sale price.