PayPal vs Merchant Account

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by CheriShops - Admin on June 18, 2012 at 5:00pm

I have never had a problem with PP myself though I too have heard some negative accounts by others, but then similar also about Google checkout too.

However, IMHO, you really need to accept PP as they are the #1 choice of online payment.Plus the convenience of being able to do the shipping directly via them is a big plus!

Some sellers also have a merchant account to accept credit card payments, but not all buyers want to use a CC...some like that they can pay from their bank funds by either an eCheck or by transferring money into their PP account, and merchant accounts still come with potential problems of chargebacks etc

Permalink Reply by 2Hearts Uptown @Ruby Lane on June 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

After I realized that PayPal has a very quick refund policy if item not received in a reasonable time frame, I began insuring all my packages (for low amounts under about $30, I self insure).   The only trick is that with Insure Post, you must buy the insurance same day/within one day of shipment.   The one time I forgot until day 2, so could not buy insurance, is the shipment to Brazil for $300 that is currently in "claim/investigation" status with USPS.   I have tried shipping several times to my customer in Brazil, and postal problems each time.  Will not ship there again.  

Permalink Reply by Daisy Antiques on June 19, 2012 at 6:42am

Wow, all I use is Paypal and knock on wood - I have never had a problem.  I guess because I (again knock on wood) not had an upset customer.  I think we as sellers have to protect ourselves.

Permalink Reply by Ornaments on June 19, 2012 at 7:25am

I have also heard some horror stories about PayPal.  I've only had one minor run-in with them and it wasn't too bad but I did learn that there is nothing to keep a customer from filing with PayPal before they try to resolve the issue with you.  They will also put a hold on your funds until they resolve the issue and they take their sweet time about it. From what I've heard they pretty much always side with they buyer.  

I agree that you pretty much have to use them, though I wish there was a good alternative.  FWIW, I have started accepting Money Orders and personal checks and that has actually seemed to increase my sales a bit.  There's a risk there too, of course.  

I also require insurance on pretty much everything except for items under $50 and I probably should make that $30.  

Permalink Reply by Antiques du Jour on August 1, 2012 at 6:08pm

I've never had a problem with PP and I have a business account with them.  I like the accounting and reporting tools that are available.  I also accept checks and money orders.  I let people know that they can use PP even if they don't have an account to use their credit card.  The other thing is that I purchased for $5 the little digital security thingy from Pay Pal which makes my account ultra secure.  Good for use on Ebay too.