Why use PayPal ?

[gnasher729]

I asked two online stores if I could pay via visa. They told me that they only accept PayPal. Anybody knows the reason? I cannot understand it as visa cards have been used worldwide by many people for years.

Setting up an account with VISA costs money. Difficult for a small trader. For a small trader, Paypal is a lot easier and cheaper. It is harder for you to dispute charges (which is good for the trader because some customers are a*****s), on the other hand it is harder for the trader to get your money out of Paypal (which is good for you because some traders are crooks).

 

[hajime]

Setting up an account with VISA costs money. Difficult for a small trader. For a small trader, Paypal is a lot easier and cheaper. It is harder for you to dispute charges (which is good for the trader because some customers are a*****s), on the other hand it is harder for the trader to get your money out of Paypal (which is good for you because some traders are crooks).

But those stores accept visa card payments from locals.

 

[arkitect]

But those stores accept visa card payments from locals.

As gnasher729 pointed out above

Setting up an account with VISA costs money. Difficult for a small trader.

Then when you get into international banking it gets even more complicated.

PayPal fills a gap.
Yes, their fees are higher than I'd like it, but I have never had any problems selling and buying using PayPal.

There is a lot of unjustified paranoia around PayPal.

 

[hajime]

So has PayPal.

I think PayPal has been around since year 2000 but people have been paying via visa cards for a lot longer. I asked about 15 friends but only one uses PayPal. The rest have not even heard of it. I am sure that more people have paid by visa cards. Anyway, given that the stores accept various types of payments locally, they should allow international customers to do the same (at least pay by visa).

 

[Abstract]

I think PayPal has been around since year 2000 but people have been paying via visa cards for a lot longer.

It's not a competition, and just because one has been around longer, doesn't mean it should be the only way to go.

Why not just pay via bank card? Why bother having Visa at all, and just eliminate the option that you want?



So far, you haven't come up with any good reason for not having PayPal transactions over Visa, only that it has been around longer, and that you know more people who use Visa. Other people here have provided PLENTY of very good reasons why merchants may choose to use PayPal.

I asked about 15 friends but only one uses PayPal. The rest have not even heard of it.

Your "not-so-worldly" friends aren't a particularly good example.

How old are these people?

 

[hajime]

It's not a competition, and just because one has been around longer, doesn't mean it should be the only way to go.

Why not just pay via bank card? Why bother having Visa at all, and just eliminate the option that you want?



So far, you haven't come up with any good reason for not having PayPal transactions over Visa, only that it has been around longer, and that you know more people who use Visa. Other people here have provided PLENTY of very good reasons why merchants may choose to use PayPal.




Your "not-so-worldly" friends aren't a particularly good example.

How old are these people?

Well, I am the buyer, I have the right to choose the payment method. You like PayPal, you can pay by PayPal. I don't like PayPal and I like to pay by Visa or cash, I should be able to do it. Visa card and cash have been acceptable forms of payment for a long time. It is just personal preference.

I can give any reason for not using PayPal. A simple one:

Because of its existence, I am force to use it as the only payment method.

My friends are international friends between 20-40.

By the way, I called PayPal and asked the lady to tell me the advantages on using PayPal
over visa card. She couldn't! I sent them emails twice and they could not answer my
questions. I certainly don't have confident on them.

 

[arkitect]

Well, I am the buyer, I have the right to choose the payment method.

Then find yourself another vendor.
Although I don't think you ever explained why you are OK paying with Visa but not PayPal?

 

[PhoenixMac]

sounds simple enough for me, you don't like the reasons people listed for paypal and the vendor only accepts paypal, find another vendor, problem solved

am i missing something?

 

[hajime]

sounds simple enough for me, you don't like the reasons people listed for paypal and the vendor only accepts paypal, find another vendor, problem solved

am i missing something?

That is a good solution but the problem is that only that vendor carries the items I want. Anyway, I have asked the manager to explain why paypal is the only acceptable form of payment while he lists visa, cash, bank transfer, etc as other possible means of paying on his store website.

 

[hajime]

Then find yourself another vendor.
Although I don't think you ever explained why you are OK paying with Visa but not PayPal?

Well... I have been using Visa for years without problem. I don't want to risk using a new system. That is my personal preference. I heard that sometimes Paypal freezes the accounts suddenly. If you google "I hate paypal", you will know what I mean. Thanks.

 

[StvenH90]

Well... I have been using Visa for years without problem. I don't want to risk using a new system. That is my personal preference. I heard that sometimes Paypal freezes the accounts suddenly. If you google "I hate paypal", you will know what I mean. Thanks.

The risk with Paypal from experience, is if your seller. Great if your a good or shady buyer.

 

[tjb1]

I absolutely hate PayPal for selling and the way they handle the money in the PayPal "account". Watch out when they put that damn hold on, I was told by 5 different agents that this was a regular reviews of accounts. Funny how when my PS3 sold on ebay the account immediately went into hold. These holds last somewhere near a month and a half. Money isnt released until one of three is met: 21 days after sale completed, positive feedback received, or 3 days after confirmation of delivery. Dont worry, they arent in a hurry to release it either...had a confirmed delivery and positive feedback and money still wasnt released after a day. On the last sale I called them and said either release the funds or im not shipping the item until after 21 days, the woman said "Ok then". One item triggers it but it last for 1.5 month after that. No idea why it happened but apparently under 100 feedback will and selling a "high risk" item. They dont care how long you have been on ebay or if you dont even have negative feedback, funny thing is I still havent received feedback on the PS3 I sold 2 months ago. I believe if delivery is confirmed and buyer has not left feedback after 5 days then they should not be allowed to do any bidding/purchasing on ebay until feedback is left. But ebay is all about screwing the seller.

Another thing...refunds. They go into your paypal "account", rarely going back to the original location. The thing that gets me is it takes them seconds to take the money from my bank but it takes 4-5 days for the transfer of money from paypal to my bank to even show that my bank has it...

Paypal is fine is your buying, sucks if your selling and they dont care about the seller at all. I have read stories of people claiming no delivery and the seller providing signatures from the delivery along with all tracking information and still losing...