paypal - help

[xwordmad]

I'm a first time ebayer and chosen paypal as my preferred payment method. Apparently I can only have two card transactions a year ? How does that work ? I thought it was free? I only want to sell the odd item, so don't want to upgrade to a business account, please can someone help me with this ? Thanks in advance.

[Ethel]

If you have the free personal PayPal account, you can only accept payments that have been funded by monies already in the buyer's PayPal account, not by any form of card payment.

You must not display the PayPal logo on your listings as this states you will accept card payments.

And you must make it clear in your listing that the PayPal payment is restricted.

Most sellers find this far too restrictive and upgrade to the business account - you don't need to be running a business, but it does cost, as you have said.

Or you could opt not to use PayPal at all, and offer cheque, postal order or bank transfers, all of which are free to you but inconvenient and risky to the buyer.

Most buyers prefer the speed and convenience of PayPal as well as the degree of protection it can offer.

[xwordmad]

Thank you, so most people upgrade?

[Ethel]

Yes, I don't know anybody that has kept the personal PayPal account for very long before realising how impractical it is.

Make sure you understand the fees and the basic rules to protect yourself.

I have never been scammed, but I know it does go on.

[xwordmad]

is there a monthly fee? Or do they just make their money from their cut? Thanks Ethel

[Ethel]

No montly fee - it is taken out of each payment received from your buyers.

20p plus a percentage of 1.4 to 3.4% depending on the value of the transaction.

http://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_d isplay-fees-outside

If �10 is paid into your account the PayPal fee will be 20p plus 34p - 54p in total.

�100 fee is 20p plus �3.40 = �3.60

Hope this helps!

[xwordmad]

Thank you Ethel, you have been ever so helpful... I have upgraded. Warm regards.

[kags]

there are loads of fake Paypal emails going around at the moment - the email says you have made a payment to someone (which you of course haven't), and asks you to click on a link if you think the payment was made in error. It looks very convincing, and is relying on you being indignant and forgetting normal security! I very nearly clicked o the link, but realised it is a scam. Just something to be aware of, but like Ethel I have used Paypal for years very securely.