Joann Empson
Posts: 234
Walnut Creek, California, US
I agree that PayPal sucks. PayPal is abusive. So many horror stories with PayPal.
Other alternative services include Stripe and Flattr.
Last year, during a fundraising campaign, PayPal blocked donations to the Diaspora project for no apparent reason. There was no warning, just a notice that said their account would be suspended for 180 days. Stripe came to their rescue.
Diaspora is the free (as in liberty/freedom), decentralized social networking alternative to Facebook.
Peano
Posts: 3,719
Washington, District of Columbia, US
I use Paypal and have been satisfied with it. I once had a problem with them holding up payment by a client in Canada who makes frequent payments. But we both raised hell and got that sorted out pretty quickly.
I dont recommend Paypal....used them for years then had 2 transaction which they deemed broke their T&C...when asked to explain..my account was frozen for 180 days , couldnt access my money, make payments, withdraws nothing.
They sent a standard email..
Joann Empson
Posts: 234
Walnut Creek, California, US
Another reason to avoid PayPal is because they very recently practiced censorship. They policed the content of independently published books that were sold through PayPal. Literature that PayPal deemed inappropriate included text that depicts sex.
Joe Diamond
Posts: 219
Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
If you are new to Paypal the most important thing is to avoid scams. Youll get a huge number of emails from phishing sites that copy paypal interface to steal your money. Remember to check your account only from your money sent confirmation and remember that Paypal messages on your email will always contain your name like Mr X or Mrs Y never with dear customer or dear client. Other things, Paypal have a tax percent on each transaction and it will take some days to get to money when you send them on your credit cards.
Pretty much everything photographic that I've sold has been paid for by clients paying directly in to my bank account. Provided them with my sort code and account number and they paid in direct.
Robert LC
Posts: 944
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Drew Smith Photography wrote: Bank account?
Pretty much everything photographic that I've sold has been paid for by clients paying directly in to my bank account. Provided them with my sort code and account number and they paid in direct.
I prefer this as well and especially with local clients, that's usually no problem (provide BIC/IBAN number for international).
Many smaller clients prefer credit card/paypal (and it's very widely used, prob also because of Ebay) but I too have experienced the horror of Pay-not-really-your-Pal.
I've had repeated problems with them (where they gave bogus and changing explanations as to why it even occurred in the first place)and main problem is their way of 'solving' them (the resolution center is often useless and you have to call endlessly due to their bugs and lack of [relevant] reply), lack of transparency, and automatic replies irrelevant to your situation. Any issue is almost guaranteed to take unnecessary long because of this. Several friends and colleagues of mine have had (poorly handled) issues as well.
Sure, with millions of users there are plenty who seldom or never had an issue or had it taken care of properly but that does not change the incredibly poor handling of problems and vague justifications for withholding many customer's money. They are not a bank and abuse this perfectly. In fact they can (and do) legally withhold your money and even terminate your account without explanation.
Long story short; there's a good chance you'll never have (poorly handled) issues with them but if you do, you'll be in for a ride.
IMO, best to use other methods as much as possible like regular bank transfer or credit card through some of the suggested methods.
Pretty much everything photographic that I've sold has been paid for by clients paying directly in to my bank account. Provided them with my sort code and account number and they paid in direct.
I use that for clients from my country. A tad too complicated and long process when it comes to my foreign clients, which actually cover 80% of my client base.
I do get the occasional not-from-Paypal e-mail linking me to update my information and whatnot, but I never click those links.
I go to Paypal and it there's anything to be updated, I get prompted upon login.
Pretty much everything photographic that I've sold has been paid for by clients paying directly in to my bank account. Provided them with my sort code and account number and they paid in direct.
^^ This 100% for clients in the same country as me. Normally Paypal for overseas
I use professional payment processor 2checkout.com which allow you to accept all kind of Credit, Debit cards, Paypal , checks etc.
I have never had any problems with them ( not even for 0.2 cents )
Before I used to work with Paypal and I have some problems with them ( not big problems but from time to time they can make sometimes problems without reason)
Any way I can recommend Paypal for payment processor ( if you work on amateur level without large client base).
Otherwise, 2checkout , HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you work serious business with large client base.
Regards to all!
ST Retouch wrote: Otherwise, 2checkout , HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you work serious business with large client base.
Have been looking into several different ones, but this sounds interesting. The fact that you can accept the most used types of payment is great.
What exactly is needed to get the 4.5%? :
"(Standard Rate 5.5%) To receive 4.5%, contact us"
Yes you can accept everything with them.
Like I said above , never had any problems with them, very powerful and very fast support which is very important for clients .
Yes they are little more expensive then others, but from my angle of view it is worthy every cent.
I don't mind if rates are 4% or 5.5 % , the most important thing for me is that I have very professional payment processor, which also make my services more professional.
You can send professional invoices with them, they do all jobs for clients.
Mine is only to switch button to send invoice to customers and that's all.
Every thursday they send money to your bank account or credit cards which you earn for previous week, and they are very precise and never late.
If you have serious jobs and incomes you can speak about 4,5% , but even for 5.5% is great.
Remember it is better to have powerful payment processor for 5.5% then to have some others even with 1% which are going to make troubles with you and your clients.
regards!
Robert LC
Posts: 944
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Airballin wrote: I've used paypal for local and international business transactions regularly for almost 10 years now, and have never had a single problem with them.
Sure that's possible, but their customer service, way of handling problems when they occur as well as their lack of transparency when limiting and freezing accounts and continuing changing excuses (with each new customer service employer you speak with) are absurd and many many have witnessed this.
Robert LC
Posts: 944
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
ST Retouch wrote: Yes you can accept everything with them.
Like I said above , never had any problems with them, very powerful and very fast support which is very important for clients .
Yes they are little more expensive then others, but from my angle of view it is worthy every cent.
I don't mind if rates are 4% or 5.5 % , the most important thing for me is that I have very professional payment processor, which also make my services more professional.
You can send professional invoices with them, they do all jobs for clients.
Mine is only to switch button to send invoice to customers and that's all.
Every thursday they send money to your bank account or credit cards which you earn for previous week, and they are very precise and never late.
If you have serious jobs and incomes you can speak about 4,5% , but even for 5.5% is great.
Remember it is better to have powerful payment processor for 5.5% then to have some others even with 1% which are going to make troubles with you and your clients.
regards!
I'm going to try this out (and prob Google Checkout as well). I was looking into Propay and Square and a few others, but this is the most all-around merchant solution (not just for retouching clients).
Thanks for the tip
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