I’m about to sell something on eBay (to relist it actually, it didn’t meet its reserve last time). I’d like to accept credit cards, and paypal has the lowest rates afaik. The only problem is that I’ve heard that there are problems with Paypal. One person on the eBay boards said that she got a paypal payment, sent out the item, and then the buyer took the money back. It’s impossible to get any answers over there, because messages scroll off so quickly and everyone seems more interested in chatting about their pets than talking about auctions. Does anyone here have any examples or advice? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance 
I’ve never sold an item on eBay, but have done more than my share of buying. For me, PayPal has been a great help - no more running out to get a money order, no waiting 10-14 days for a check to clear. In fact, I now take into account whether or not the seller accepts PayPal when deciding if I will bid on an item.
It’s my understanding that buyers can do chargebacks, but as far as I can see you run this risk no matter what service you use to accept credit cards.
I had an odd experience with PayPal once, that you might wish to know about. I attempted to make a regular old PayPal payment for something I’d bought on E-Bay, using my credit card. Even though there was PLENTY of space on my card for the payment to go through without a hitch, I kept getting a “credit card denied” message from PayPal.
So, I called the issuer of said card. I was then informed that under NO circumstances would the credit card issuer (a rather large one, I might add) do business with PayPal because of oodles of previous fraudulent activity.
I have no idea what that activity was, or how it might affect you. But I figured if a big bank was put off by it, I probably shouldn’t be doing business with them either.
-L
Hmmmm… Thanks for the info, SexyWriter - you’ve got me rethinking my eBayin’ ways.
I have used paypal to buy and sell many times (apx 12x). The only problem is that once there was a double charge. Instead of contacting Paypal I contacted the seller and explained the situation - they refunded me the $ via paypal.
But I have heard horror stories too. It really depends on who your dealing with not the service. On Ebay there are many ways to scam w/o Paypal.
lol, paypal gave me a notice the other day that I use them so much that I must now become a premium member. That’s what they call people they charge more. Its not that much, 2.9% plus 30 cents per CC transaction.
Yeah, I have got some crap from them. One time a payment I sent in never got to the people but I have a printout saying it was sent. So I had to do it again.
Another time there was some weird thing happening with my balance so I never keep a balance there anymore.
They charge you one fifty to mail you a check now.
I got scammed once & that was in dec 00 & I got a letter from paypal saying they accepted my case (I mailed them like 20 pages of info) but haven’t got any refund yet & shucks, its only thirty five dollars.
They are okay but keep a record of everything on printout.
I’ve been using it with no problems.
Also, Paypal is among the leaders in fighting cyberfraud.
Used it (and ebay for that matter) only once to buy my Steely Dan concert tickets and had no problems at all.
I think it depends as much on the seller as anything. He had much more experience with both ebay and Paypal and led me through the steps for using both. He even went so far as to e-mail me to give some info on the concert and to insure that the tickets arrived without any hitches which they did.
I use it all the time. No problems. I have a paypal ATM/visa check card. Last thing I sold on Ebay, they guy payed me right after the auction, I walked across the hall here at work to the atm, and took the money out. I had cash in my hand less than five minutes after it was sent. Cant beat that. If an auction doesnt except paypal or billpoint, I usually don’t even bid.
Actually, the only way to know for sure is to get out the dentist’s drill.
“Is it safe?”
Actually, Yahoo Paydirect currently has the lowest rates (i.e. no charge). Unfortunately, more people are familiar with Paypal than Paydirect, so you may have to wait for the buyer to sign up, which takes several days (they have to mail you a physical letter).