I dunno, I was just speculating. I thought I remember reading that you can stop payment on a money order (or was it a cashiers check?), even _after_ the other party tries to cash it. I never verified such a claim, nor do I remember where I might have gleamed that info from. I hindsight, I probably shouldn't have posted unverified, wild speculation.
And with FedEx, you don't get any real protection, but the other party has to _at least_ sign for the package. Not really any protection, really, but at least it's more that you get when you "email" a paypal transfer. (close to nothing VS. nothing) I guess that is what I meant to say. And with your above example of the USPS, you'd still be better off than with FedEx, since you are correct to point out the mail fraud charges. But still no REAL protection.
In fact I doubt there is a "safe" way to exchange money for goods, in this way and age. Dealing with the internet kind of reminds me of the Wild West, except we don't have guns. Err, maybe "mobsters" and drug dealers have it right? A bad alley exchange in the middle of the night with hired muscle armed to the teeth. |
Aroc,
How are you protected??? I have purchased items using the MO path through the USPS (signed reciept and insured). This is a "cross-your-fingers" type of move, in that, if the seller decides to keep the funds you can file mail fraud charges. So far it hasn't happened with the transactions I have had but they have all been under $1500. So how does using FedX provide protection?? From an earlier post someone suggested a bank-to-bank transfer. Is there equal or more protection with that type of transaction? My next purchase is going to be around $5,000 and the seller is 1200 miles from where I live. Any advice is thereby solicited and welcomed. |
I might check out the C2it service. I've stopped using paypal on eveything except computer purchases on Agora forum at arstechnica.com. Too many sellers expect the buyer to cover the 2.9% paypal fee for CC. Technically an ethical buyer shouldn't do that (like stores don't pass on the "surcharge" of using credit card, directly (although, some is indirectly reflected in the price). In that case, we shouldn't use paypal and instead find an alternative. The C2it is indeed interesting.
On anything over $1k (usually with most audio) I can just get a money order from my bank (near my office) and FedEx it over night (~$20USD) for the same as a paypal fee. And I probably still come out ahead in terms of protection. |
Went to c2it at a sellers request--They don't support webtv;couldn't get to secure page. |
I probably should have stated in my original post; Yes, I asked for a supervisor; The "potential buyer did likewise;--We both PAID. |
What's all the defense of Pay Pal ...somebody got stock? ;)
I haven't had the pleasure or displeasure of using Paypal.
When looking at their terms of use/agreement (or whatever - am paraphrasing) I was disgusted - They cover their asses 9 ways to Sunday! …Can’t say the same for their customers. THIS inequity combined with the MANY poor experiences sighted was enough to convince me that Pay Pal wouldn’t ever be my pal.
While I don't support any bank per se the C2it sounds like it’d be good for competition (at the very least). Regardless of what service we choose poor customer service and exorbitant user fees SUCK!
Rap
Please post any experiences you have, should you begin using this service.
Thanks for bringing up this possible alternative.
Mike |
What's all the defense of Pay Pal ...somebody got stock? ;)
I haven't had the pleasure or displeasure of using Paypal.
When looking at their terms of use/agreement (or whatever - am paraphrasing) I was disgusted - They cover their asses 9 ways to Sunday! …Can’t say the same for their customers. THIS inequity combined with the MANY poor experiences sighted was enough to convince me that Pay Pal wouldn’t ever be my pal.
While I don't support any bank per se the C2it sounds like it’d be good for competition (at the very least). Regardless of what service we choose poor customer service and exorbitant user fees SUCK!
Rap
Please post any experiences you have, should you begin using this service.
Thanks for bringing up this possible alternative.
Mike |
I use paypal frequently. For low-end items it is downright convenient. For high end, it's too expensive. And, it is a myth to think you're being "protected."
If you send someone money via paypal, even if the money comes from your credit card, the risk of fraud is entirely on you. This is different than vendors which have an account with that credit card, and the issuing bank has recourse: If they agree with your dispute, they simply dun the vendor's account, and that's it. It's the power of the paycheck.
But if you send $3000 to Danny De-Man, for a purchase of whatever, and he takes the money--you're then at Danny's mercy. If he stiffs you, your credit card company or issuing bank will tell you caveat emptor. They don't have an account with him, you authorized the money to go to him, and that's the end of the story. He may not be able to do business on paypal again, but that may be okay with him.
I read over as many of the C2it terms as I could, and this same lack of protection exists. But if in fact you save on the exorbitant fee, then, yeah, it is a no-brainer (note that the site says that the credit card issuer may choose to charge a fee). If there's a 3% bite being taken out of my $3000 transaction, then it really costs $3090. If you save the $90, as opposed to not saving it on paypal, then that seems worth it to me.
Big thing is getting it to catch on. It'll be interesting, but I expect it to be a major competitor of paypal quickly, which has enjoyed a sort of only-game-in-town status for far too long.
Nick |
Sugarbrie, you could also do a bank transfer when paying and not incurr any fees. You don't need to have funds in the account.
Avguygeorge, did you call Paypal about this error?. They have a toll free number and are easy to access.
I just can't see what the big deal is with Paypal. |
The reason I started this thread is because of the (continuing) less than steller experience people have had with PayPal. I use it to pre-pay shipping charges for COD items, usually around $100 but unless I verify soon I will lose that capability. I have no plans on verifying given all reported hassels.
Looking for an alternative - C2it - seems pretty good. At least Citibank is behind it! So I'd still like to know if anyone is using c2it?
I think that Agon shoud look into it and offer it as a standard pay option like they do PayPal. |
I got one for ya. A buyer was interested in an item I had for sale.--Said he was going to paypal me. 48 hrs go by no money was sent. I assumed he changed his mind. Then he sends the money (unannounced).My piece, I found out in the meantime, had a problem. I didn't want to sell it broken. I just never claimed the funds. Then we find out they are already in my account. ( Without my actual claiming) I had to pay the fee.I sent the original amt back;he ALSO had to pay the fee.--We each lost--Paypal won twice. Don't ya just love it?? |
A personal PayPal account is useless, since you can only receive money from someone with a cash balance, which is only about 5% of the people out there buying, from my experience. |
Hi Rap,
- there are no fees with Paypal if you have a Personal account and the other person sends you money from existing funds in their Paypal or Bank account. If you want to except Credit Cards then you have to upgrade to their Premium account (or open another account) and incur 3% when receiving funds.
- transferring funds in or out of Paypal incur no fees.
--Lenard |
