Posted by goodgirl on 2/10/09 10:28am
Msg #277036

Need PayPal Help

I need some advice from people who have set up a PayPal account so they can receive payment via PayPal. I have the PayPal account that allows me to pay someone.
It seems to me that everytime I buy something and use PayPal, I am bombarded with phishing e-mails within a week or two. This concerns me because I don't want to create a situation where someone could gain access to my checking acct - not that there's much in there to get.
My question is - those of you who can accept payments from PayPal - do you have PayPal linked to your regular checking acct or did you open a new checking acct so you could receive payment...
Also, anyone who has any thoughts on security measures for this type of situation - you're comments and suggestions would be very much appreciated.
I always turn to this forum for important advice because there are so many of you out there, and your thoughts are always so honest and worthwhile.
Thank you very much for any comments.

Reply by Cari on 2/10/09 10:33am
Msg #277038

open a business acount with them...

and get 'sellers protection'...I have three businesses, all with Paypal business...it has it's benefits...and it's pain...but, if you can't afford a $800 credit card machine, Paypal is the way to go...I have pay and buy now buttons on my websites for my customers ease of use, so they don't have to pony up their personal information to me...so you should check it out...but there are fees associated with whatever package you pick...do your homework.

Reply by hp/MD on 2/10/09 11:21am
Msg #277047

I have done it this way and it works for me without opening a business account. Sign up with Paypal. Ask whoever you want them to send $$$$ to you to go to their Paypal account. Ask them Click on " send money " and put your email address ( that connected to your Paypal ), choose sevice/other, enter amount and send. There is a charge.

Reply by Becca_FL on 2/10/09 11:21am
Msg #277048

My advice is to get a paypal business account, get verified and order the debit card. I do think it is a good idea to use a bank account other than your main account. I accept paypal payments for all the services I provide and I use the paypal buttons on my websites. I've been a paypal user for five years and have only had one charge back. The charge back was due to an 85 year old man that ordered my list and didn't understand how paypal worked. The guy thought he was charged twice, once by paypal and once by his credit card. After I phoned him and asked what the charge back was all about, he sent me a check with an apology.

Reply by PAW on 2/10/09 1:44pm
Msg #277067

I've been a PayPal user for more than 15 years. I've not really had any problems with any additional phishing emails or hacking attempts because of the personal and business accounts that I have.

If you are doing business, I strongly recommend establishing a business account for the many useful devices and security measures applied to that account. Yes there are fees associated with receiving money (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_wp-standard-pricing-outside).

Reply by notaryinmo on 2/10/09 2:04pm
Msg #277072

Another one you may consider is Google checkout. From what I understand, the fees associated with Google is 2.2%, while Paypal is 2.9%.

As others have said, I don't receive phishing/spam mails when utilizing my paypal account for orders placed (either purchases or solds).

Reply by PAW on 2/10/09 2:17pm
Msg #277076

GCO is not an option in some cases.

Google checkout still has not penetrated the international marketplace except for the UK. Since I do a lot of business with Japan, Australia, Germany and the UK, I needed a solution that had international presence. PayPal won that battle hands down.

Reply by LKT/CA on 2/10/09 2:21pm
Msg #277079

Google Checkout

I had a paypal account....too many headaches. I like Google Checkout merchant account - they charge 2.2% + 20 cents per transaction. If you have a Google Adwords account (no contract required - totally month-to-month) then depending on the budget YOU set for your advertisement - you get 10X that dollar amount processed FREE (you have to link your merchant account with the adwords account). I also like the email invoice feature. You send an invoice via email and the client clicks on the link and enters their credit card info - you never see their private info - by design. You receive an email showing your client completed the transaction. Money is credited within 2 working days and goes straight to your bank account - you don't have to set up anything to make that happen, it automatically goes there.

I'm glad paypal worked for others.....it didn't work for me. I'm totally pleased with Google Checkout merchant account and highly recommend it.

Reply by MW/VA on 2/10/09 3:39pm
Msg #277089

FWIW, I have a PayPal account that I use to pay for a couple of sites, including NotRot. I have it set up with my business name, but I don't pay any charges. I recently used it to bill to ss (went to receive money & sent an invoice). I linked it to my biz checking account, and yes, I am leary of doing that. I received my monies, even though it took about a week for the total process. I was not billed any fees & those may have been billed to the parties paying me.
I don't use it a lot, but it is a good backup. My new policy is to require payment upfront via PayPal for ss with poor payment histories.

Reply by MikeC/NY on 2/10/09 6:46pm
Msg #277105

"My new policy is to require payment upfront via PayPal for ss with poor payment histories."

And how's that working out for you?

Reply by MW/VA on 2/11/09 6:51am
Msg #277149

To answer your question, it is working ok. I've only used it a couple of times--one for an ss that I would only work for if I was paid upfront (following advise of other notaries who post here), and another to bill an ss that I had almost given up hope of collecting from. It gives me another tool in negotiation. Instead of saying "no way", I can tell them I'm willing to take the job only if they pay via PayPal.

Reply by goodgirl on 2/10/09 7:06pm
Msg #277110

As always, such great people with such helpful responses. Thank you all so much. I printed all your responses out, and now have a starting point to ask questions and make decisions.
Thank you.

Reply by ReneeK_MI on 2/11/09 6:04am
Msg #277148

I only use this occasionally, the few/far between clients and infrequent exchanges when we buy/sell something over the internet - not enough to go through setting up a merchant account.

However - I have a separate bank account used solely for PayPal. It's just a 'special savings' account, no bank fees for it, and it's a PP verified account (speeds PP transactions when the account is verified). I only keep my bank's minimum requirement of 5 bucks in there.

When I'm going to buy sometime with PP, I transfer the needed amount into that 'special' account, then do the PP transaction. If I'm accepting a payment, it goes into that same account, and as soon as it's deposited I transfer it OUT, into the 'regular' account. So, at any given time there is only ever 5 bucks in the PP-linked bank account, and only 5 bucks ever at risk.

I do NOT link PP to a credit card - been there/done that. Got hacked, had to get a whole new card and account number. PP did act on this like a flash, and I give them lots of credit for that, but still ... the hacking did happen through their site.