PLEASE BE ADVISED--Paypal says we CAN use personal/no fee PP on this site!

[lovetobehome]

I JUST CALLED PAYPAL---WE CAN USE PERSONAL-NO FEES payments!

I am starting a new thread, I hope this is helpful!

This is the second time I have called paypal and specifically asked this question. PLEASE, ladies, read this.
I described our forum, and our situation: homeschooling moms, buying and selling used curriculum. Getting rid of our excess, buying new stuff to try. BOTH paypal reps told me we can CERTAINLY use PERSONAL/NO FEE paypal, even though we have not 'met' each other in person. THE EXCEPTION IS IF WE ARE USING A SITE THAT HAS A PAYPAL BUTTON ON IT TO MAKE PAYMENTS. So, for example, ebay has a button to make a paypal payment. You can never use personal/no fee paypal on that site, or on any other site that has a direct paypal link.
I told him some people worried that this might be unethical (if we ask for a PERSONAL payment from someone on the board). He said absolutely not.
WE DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FEES. WE DO NOT HAVE TO FEEL AS IF WE ARE BEING UNETHICAL. This is paypal's own policy, according to both reps I have talked to, on separate occasions.
If someone wants to pay fees, go right ahead, but here they are telling us we do not need to, should not, and can keep going right on using FREE PAYPAL.
Questions? Call paypal and ask yourself! We don't need to attack each other!

[Mrs Mungo]

Good to know! Thanks! :001_smile:

[elegantlion]

Sweet. You might cross post this in the swap board just so it doesn't get lost as quickly.

[hsmom3tn]

That's great that it's okay, and I'm not saying that you should or shouldn't use personal for purchases; but I just wanted to remind everyone that there is no buyer or seller protection when you use this option.

[nestof3]

Thanks so much for finding out about this. We all appreciate your time!

[lovetobehome]

Hsmom3tn, I am not sure that this is the case...that there is no buyer/seller protection when making a 'personal' payment. I was told that is not accurate when I called before, unless I misunderstood. I am on hold with paypal now to ask (they tell me my expected wait is longer than 15 minutes!!)....I know that regardless of what way you pay, you will not get as much protection for a payment that is outside of EBAY. But I don't think there is a difference between personal (ie no fee) and purchase (fee). FWIW, I went in to a payment made as a personal payment, and clicked to see if I could open a dispute...looks like I can. I will update as soon as I get through to the pp rep!

[MomOfOneFunOne]

the Cathswap mods also contacted Paypal a while back and got the same answer.

[MyCrazyHouse]

I JUST CALLED PAYPAL---WE CAN USE PERSONAL-NO FEES payments!

...
Nifty! Thanks for doing the leg (ear) work!

[lovetobehome]

20 minutes on hold, but the answer was what I was told the last time I called...THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE DISPUTE PROCESS OR YOUR RECOURSE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, WHETHER YOU USE 'personal' OR 'purchase'.
Identical process, the rep assured me.

So. There is no reason for us to think it unethical, or to think there is more risk, in using FREE PAYPAL for our transactions here.
The only reason (that I can think of) that a seller might want the buyer to use PURCHASE is that there is a link to the address and easy shipping using PURCHASE. This is a valid reason for some! But for me as a seller, I would happily take things to the PO for my fellow homeschooling mamas and save them the fees. And save fees for myself, too. Maybe it means the item won't go out today,but I will get it to the PO within a couple days. As a buyer, I am happier paying less and waiting a few more days.
I think if a seller wants this convenience, that is totally justifiable. Just know why you are paying fees...it is not because pp requires it of us in this situation. It is for the convenience of making shipping labels through pp.
I think click-n-ship might be a nice option to look into, isnt that free?

[Melissa in CA]

Grrrrrreat! :D So, does that mean in our for sale listings we can say, 'Personal non credit, non debit payments only please?' ;)

Oh, and as a buyer, we'll need to send the seller our address because I don't think Paypal forwards that to the seller in a personal sale. At least, that seems to be my experience so far. As a seller, sometimes Paypal will send me the buyers addy, and sometimes not. I am assuming the times they don't is due to the buyers use of the personal option. :confused:

[Kleine Hexe]

You know before the Paypal thread I never even noticed the "Personal" option.

Great to know! Thanks

[nukeswife]

That's nice to hear what paypal feels. I do agree that if you use personal as your payment option. PLEASE send the seller your address. Every time someone's used personal to pay me (of their own doing, I'm not that worried about the fees) I didn't get their address and can't print a shipping label unless I go into the muti purchase shipping area (that's not the actual name but it escapes me at the moment)

[lovetobehome]

Cross-post here explains how to make a NO FEE payment...
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126155

And here, Melissa, is the scoop on the address. If a buyer sends NO FEE paypal, the address will NOT be sent through paypal. So, if I am selling, I ask for no fee paypal and request the buyer's address in a private message.
If they send FEE paypal, the address will be displayed...for the price of the fee, charged to your account (I think they CAN choose to pay the fee within pp, but I have never seen anyone do that)
I accept noncredit no fee paypal, check, money order. If the buyer really wants to use credit paypal, I tell them that I would prefer that they also offer to pay the fee....but I have given them 3 other options.

[Rhonda in TX]

If there is a disagreement between buyer and seller, will the buyer protection go into effect? That's one of the main reasons I use Paypal. Anybody know the answer to that?

[Sparkle]

This is great to know. I haven't minded paying the fees, but I definitely appreciate being able to save the money, since they say it's OK. Thanks a lot for checking on it for us!

[Tree House Academy]

Wow...I guess my thoughts on the matter from the get go weren't so lying, thieving, and horrible afterall. All along, it just didn't seem right to me that, in this situation, we would have any reason NOT to use Personal. Well....Whatdayaknow? LOL

Thanks so much for finding this out for us all!

[lovetobehome]

Rhonda, see post 9 in this thread, according to the paypal reps I spoke with, the dispute process is the SAME whether we use personal or purchase.

I coudn't stand the yuckiness of the original thread, so hopefully this will bring some peace. Let's all try to keep it this way, we are a little community here, and we don't need to pick nits (or each other). Let's extend some grace, we all need it. I love being here, and I hate to see when negative stuff picks up speed. Can those of you who were upset with each other forgive and forget, can we all hug and make up??? :grouphug:

[Earth Angel_79]

WONDERFUL! Thanks for checking on this -- I never would have even thought to check! I wish I would have known before a couple of days ago...I could have sent personal to several people I bought from.

[JennC]

That's nice to hear what paypal feels. I do agree that if you use personal as your payment option. PLEASE send the seller your address. Every time someone's used personal to pay me (of their own doing, I'm not that worried about the fees) I didn't get their address and can't print a shipping label unless I go into the muti purchase shipping area (that's not the actual name but it escapes me at the moment)

sorry I'm to lazy right now to look, but someone did post a way to print the shipping label on paypal for a personal payment. Someone not nursing at keyboard can do it much faster than I can.

[hsmom3tn]

Thanks for clearing that up. It's good to know that we will still be protected.

Yes, you can still use paypal for your shipping labels, just use multi-order shipping and put in the information manually.

Thanks again :)

[tdeveson]

Thank you for doing the research and posting this.

[tdeveson]

Grrrrrreat! :D So, does that mean in our for sale listings we can say, 'Personal non credit, non debit payments only please?'

Just curious, why "non-debit payment only?" Is this safer for the seller? I've never used PayPal to sell my stuff, but I've got so much stuff piled up from previous years that a sale is almost inevitable. ;)

[nestof3]

.

[lovetobehome]

Toni, thanks for pointing this out. I need to go back and edit the post...DEBIT payments are the same as CREDIT payments....fees are charged with both credit and debit.

[Melissa in CA]

DEBIT payments are the same as CREDIT payments....fees are charged with both credit and debit.

Exactly. The only form of payments that are not charged a fee is payments transfered from the buyers bank account, or payments made from the buyers Paypal money sitting in their Paypal account. Any form of payments made with a card of any kind, whether debit (even if it comes right from your bank account) or credit, WILL be charged a fee.

I had a Paypal account that I often used when I used to sell on Ebay. I upgraded to the account that could accept cc (Can't think of the name...Premier?) due to so many people trying to use cc when buying from me. I then started getting charged for each and EVERY transaction....even those that did not use cc and transferred from their bank account! It was frustrating. SO, I made another Paypal account and kept it a basic account. I stopped selling on Ebay and began selling on homeschool boards. I told people no cc. But several times I had some who would use debit thinking that it was not considered a cc and I would have to deny payment and inform the buyer. So, I too learned that debit payments are just the same in Paypal's eyes as a credit payment. It was a learning experience.

So, if you want a completely fee-free Paypal experience....you must have a basic account (unless this has changed), you must NOT accept credit or debit cards, and the buyer must use the personal option tab. And buyers, if you do not want your seller to be charged a fee, you must do the same. (don't pay with debt, credit, and use the personal option). And sellers, if you already have a Premiere (?) account, you may want to think about opening a new basic account. Premiere accounts get charged a fee regardless of how payment is received. My understanding is that you can have two, or possibly three, Paypal accounts, so this is legal...or at least is was. I don't know all the ins and outs since the policy change. I still have two accounts though...one basic and one premeire...and have used both recently with no problems.

Anyhow, due to the policy changes things could have changed considerably in regards to the different type accounts, maybe there is only one now....I honestly don't know. :confused: So someone please correct me if I am wrong.

[SLH in ND]

Thank you for posting this information.

Sheri

[momoflotsoftots]

Awesome find! Thanks! We need to make sure this is known across the board.

[lovetobehome]

Absolutely. I have had a couple moms irritated with me for asking for no-fee paypal, thinking I am being 'unethical'. I am referring people to this thread, or to call paypal themselves (just be prepared to sit on hold awhile).
I posted this thread in 3 places, but feel free to spread the word!

[happyholly]

Thanks so much for the info.

[Gillian on Orcas Island]

A little clarification seems to be in order...The fact is, you CAN have a Premier account and use the "Personal" payment option to send and receive funds without a fee, as long as the payments are funded by a bank account or a Paypal balance. (However, a fee does apply to any Personal payment made with a credit or a debit card. If you have a Premier account, it would be the same 2.9% fee that's assessed on ALL payments made through the "Purchases" option.)

So, it IS possible to have a Premier account (which you might choose to have in order to be able to accept credit cards), and still send and receive NO FEE "Personal" payments. And as the OP has ascertained for us, this is a perfectly legitimate use of one's Paypal account.

The breakdown of fees for Personal payments is on the Paypal website in the help section, and my experience confirms it: I've had no problem using my Premier account to send and receive Personal payments without fees, as long as they are not from a credit or debit card. Hope that helps someone. :)

[lovetobehome]

Thanks for clarifying...this has been my experience, too. It used to be that any payment (credit or funded)received in a premier account was subject to fees. And then if you had a personal account but accepted a few credit payments to that, you would be forced to 'upgrade' to a premier account.
That is no longer the case, thankfully! It really was a mess!

[kdurfee]

Appreciate the great info re: paypal - I never knew!

[Lovedtodeath]

Good to know!

[Ibbygirl]

I vote that they make this thread a sticky! :)

[AJ in Ohio]

:thumbup: So glad to know this!

[Jonathan]

Just out of curiousity. What about people who only have a few feedback under the new system but have over 20 from thye previous versions of the good trade system, such as myself? Not that I plan on doing any new auctions anytime soon but just in case. I think I know the answer but Id like to make sure.
by the way,

[Karen_OK]

Thank you so much. This has helped me understand the paypal process much better.

[nukeswife]

Just a caution about using the personal option. If you use buy something and click the "payment owed" tab under personal then you may be stuck if the item never arrives.

I bought something from a member here on Oct 22nd, I used that tab and even put my address in the notes section (because it doesn't automatically show up when you use the personal option) and it still hasn't arrived. I was assured by the seller on Nov. 17th that it would be mailed the next day, she said she tried emailing me for my address. She did email me for my address and I responded within a few hours. Still nothing, the seller hasn't be on here since Nov. 22nd to answer my PM and has not answered the emails I've sent. So now it looks like I may be out $50 because I can't file a Paypal claim, since using the option I did makes it look like no items were purchased.

So just be careful, you may end up saving the seller a little in fees, but could be out your full amount if the items never show up.

[Basketmaker Amy]

Thanks for researching.

[lovetobehome]

I think paypal has changed stuff on us again. Nukeswife may be right...about no protection. I haven't called paypal, but I have heard this complaint a couple times lately. I think they may have phased in this change...ugh. Maybe I should call and check?
I am still using no fee paypal...

[nukeswife]

I actually called about filing a complaint last week and they said no dice. The man I talked to tried to file a claim for me but because it looks like no merchandise exchanged hands the system declined it immediately.

From now on I'll just offer to pay the fees that they would charge the seller.

[Lovedtodeath]

Thank you for informing us Kel.

[jannake]

I, too, tried to file with Paypal because the material I ordered on October 27th has not arrived and the seller will not respond to any correspondence. I was unable to file because I used the personal option to pay. I will think twice about doing that the next time because you have no recourse if you don't get the material.

[houseofrabbits]

This is great information. Thanks for letting me know!

Lis

[stripe]

? This is bizarre. Why does it say if your brother buys your car and pays via paypal, you have to have it as fees? I wish they would make up their mind instead of contradicting what it says on the website. Personally I am opposed to the fees for small transactions rather than businesses (which I was flamed for the last time around!) but I think the downside is a) no protection and b) the lack of shipping via paypal. You can download the Shipping Assistant from USPS but it is a separate thing than doing through paypal. So, in sum, I think they are being unclear.

[Tree House Academy]

[QUOTE=stripe;1477705I am opposed to the fees for small transactions rather than businesses (which I was flamed for the last time around!) but I think the downside is a) no protection and b) the lack of shipping via paypal. You can download the Shipping Assistant from USPS but it is a separate thing than doing through paypal. So, in sum, I think they are being unclear.[/QUOTE]

You were flamed? Honey, I am still smoking! :lol::lol::lol:


There is actually a "multiple shipment" feature on paypal where you can use paypal funds to ship something that was paid via personal paypal. That way, you still get the tracking number and dont' have to make the trip to the post office. I do agree, though, on the "no protection." I don't like that at all.

Since the hoopla post, I have bought and sold. I leave it up to the other person as to how they pay. When I buy, I ask the seller which they prefer. It cuts down on lots of drama...and if I want something bad enough, I am willing to pay the fees.

[tiffanyl]

I know, it's all very unclear! And I agree with you about the fees for small transactions.:glare:

Just wanted to point out...
When someone accepts personal payments, they can still ship using paypal... they would just have to import the info. instead of them having it on file for you. But, it's still pretty simple to do.


? This is bizarre. Why does it say if your brother buys your car and pays via paypal, you have to have it as fees? I wish they would make up their mind instead of contradicting what it says on the website. Personally I am opposed to the fees for small transactions rather than businesses (which I was flamed for the last time around!) but I think the downside is a) no protection and b) the lack of shipping via paypal. You can download the Shipping Assistant from USPS but it is a separate thing than doing through paypal. So, in sum, I think they are being unclear.

[lovetobehome]

Yes, you can ship through paypal even with no fee paypal. When you sign in, then click on the MULTI_ORDER SHIPPING (on the right). It is really simple, and now I don't ever go to the PO!
When I pay, I often ask if they want no fee. So far, everyone has been grateful to take no fee pp! And I usually trust ppl here!

[stripe]

Anyhow I still recommend this program from USPS, there are the same (discounted) fees for delivery confirmation, and you can choose either to pay for the postage (which means you can mail from home/drop box) or pay in person at the PO.

http://www.usps.com/shippingassistant/instructions.htm

[lovetobehome]

20 minutes on hold, but the answer was what I was told the last time I called...THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE DISPUTE PROCESS OR YOUR RECOURSE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, WHETHER YOU USE 'personal' OR 'purchase'.
Identical process, the rep assured me.

So. There is no reason for us to think it unethical, or to think there is more risk, in using FREE PAYPAL for our transactions here.
The only reason (that I can think of) that a seller might want the buyer to use PURCHASE is that there is a link to the address and easy shipping using PURCHASE. This is a valid reason for some! But for me as a seller, I would happily take things to the PO for my fellow homeschooling mamas and save them the fees. And save fees for myself, too. Maybe it means the item won't go out today,but I will get it to the PO within a couple days. As a buyer, I am happier paying less and waiting a few more days.
I think if a seller wants this convenience, that is totally justifiable. Just know why you are paying fees...it is not because pp requires it of us in this situation. It is for the convenience of making shipping labels through pp.
I think click-n-ship might be a nice option to look into, isnt that free?
Wanted to note, paypal has now changed this policy...they keep us guessing. Now, from what I hear, there IS a difference in policy. You are more vulnerable if you use the personal option. I still use it here with trusted sellers.

[lovetobehome]

Also, I posted another thread---you CAN print labels from paypal for free, using the NO FEE PERSONAL option.

[Gratia271]

Thanks for going to the trouble of clarifying this!

[Omma]

Wow, I have just read through this thread and it has been so helpful. I have called PayPal twice prior to reading this and I was still confused.... until now. As a seller, I had been requesting non-cc paypal in order to avoid fees, but I couldn't understand why I was being charged fees anyway. Now I know.

My hope is that as we continue to use the good trader notification system, we will be able to trust people and use the personal money PayPal feature to avoid those seller fees. Or, should I raise the prices a bit in order to cover the fees??? I guess I need to be saying that I accept non-cc, non-debit, personal money PayPal????? Oh, how awkward!

Brenda

[lovetobehome]

I usually say, "I prefer no fee personal paypal. To make a personal payment, click the PERSONAL tab above the box where you enter the amount. Then click PAYMENT OWED, and send me your address separately".
Glad this helps!

[Omma]

Thanks so much, lovetobehome! I think this is a great thread to keep in the forefront as we move into this big curriculum-buying season!

Brenda