[Indian Butt Magic]

Hi folks,

Since we're such a fragmented community, we do quite a few things online outside of keiko, including retailing and membership issues. PayPal has been coming up more and more in my discussions recently with regard to kendo. I have always been wary of it, and have never used their service. Can I get some info? Pros and cons? Etc? Thanks!

[Piemonedmow]

Well, for shopping I've never had a problem with it, if it's that what you want to know

[Clielldub]

Currently in the process of having around 1,000 Euro returned to us due to fradulent charges to my and my wife's credit card and fraudulent withdraws from our banking accounts.

Things are in the works and there are promises of full refunds. I'll let you know when the situation is resolved.

[jesyflowers]

I've been using Paypal for around eight years and haven't had any problems. Mainly for buying on ebay when sending dollar$ to the USA became a pain. Recently I've noticed a few American sellers who adamantly refuse Paypal which I find ridiculous but hey?

If all you are doing is paying for stuff, not receiving money through credit card it's painless. It doesn't cost anything and if you ensure every email you receive 'claiming' to be from Paypal but you believe may be a phishing scam forward it to spoof@paypal.com and they'll tell you straightaway if you can believe it.

Also I've noticed the Paypal website is deathly slow recently and they say not to access it using Safari as there are certain security issues. However I couldn't be without my Paypal account so maybe that's the best recommendation I can give.

[YonkFiorc]

Do you pay a fee per transaction? Also, what is the issue with being on the receiving end of Paypal?

[Narcodran]

i got a paypal account a while ago
but its never worked
i cant log in because my name or card or whatever dont match
and i cant make a new account because my name is already down

stops me buying random stuff off ebay though

it seems a pretty secure and useful thing to have, if it works for you

also, if thats the only payment method, do you have much choice?

[Jenisoisy]

I've used it for about 5 years now, but only for purchases. I've never had a problem.

[Nubtoubrem]

There are issues with Paypal but if you are sensible you can avoid the potential scammers; i personally have never had any problems with Paypal. Phishing emails are easy to spot because Paypal won't send you emails asking for information.

I think one of the issues is that unscrupulous types have been able to "pay" for an item and then cancel the payment or refund it or whatever so that the seller (having thought he'd received the payment and therefore sends the item) gets ripped off; i think i remember a Watchdog or simliar programme about it.

Sellers get charged for using it; my mate told me it's around 40p per fiver but the charges are tiered so it's not a consistent percentage.

As for using it to buy stuff, again no problems. Pick reputable stores / sellers to use and there will be no problems. Beats sending cash in the post that's for damn sure.

I don't know why your club would be wondering about Paypal though; a club credit card would be better for purchases, digital banking for membership thingies.

We have paper forms to fill out then they are taken to the bank (which could be online) and inputted; standing orders etc. We have never even mentioned Paypal for things like that.