Paypal

[Want to be]

What benfits using palpay? Is there any type of security for the seller and the purchaser or just for the seller?

I am looking @ a long distance purchase and want to make it the safest as possible.

any ideas

thanks

jpc

[john_colasante]

Paypal is not "safe" in and of itself. It is just a form of payment.

To lessen the risk in a transaction, do your due diligence and protect yourself by doing research and buying from reputable sellers.

[Schuey]

it IS safe...I've been almost burned by a few "reputable sellers" one just last week on eBay...Paypal has taken alot of the risk out of my purchases...

if your going to send money do it with them...I've used them for over 250 transactions as both a seller and buyer...

one thing to remember paypal will NEVER send you an e-mail to update your account info...this is a scam and I've received it numerous times...it's simply a way for hacks to steal your info and money...

EDIT:

I have two credit cards on file, and my checking with no issues...

BTW they can't pull money from checking from what I understand...

[RickM]

Paypal is expensive and convenient. While I've heard stories of Paypal dipping into checking accounts to pay for customer disputes it hasn't happened to me. If possible use a checking account dedicated to Paypal transactoions.

IMO, the riskiest way to do business is to use Wetern Union, wire tranfers (sometimes) and sending cash. My first prefference is to use a credit card.

[Zeke]

Simple. It's fast. Seller can/should ship the next day. I keep a minimal amount in my account. When I encounter someone that doesn't take Paypay, I have to either go get a money order (hassle) or send a check (wait).

And, MO's aren't free.

[emcon5]

Read up on Paypal here.

www.paypalsucks.com

Tom

[ChrisBennet]

I just have a credit card "attached" to my Paypal account. I'm leary of letting them have access to my checking account.
-Chris

[raceman]

l`ve used Paypal for years,hundreds of times.l love it but l protect myself also,keeping little or no money in my linked account.l have a friend who makes his living off Ebay,has for years and has thousands of Paypal transactions with no problems,ever.Paypal is there to help..

[GB83SC]

I have used Pay-pal for about three years with no problems. Ebay is the parent company for Pay-pal.

[osidak]

Apparently paypal does not verify credit card information (billing address)

Recently had a credit card number stolen and they set up a paypal account and went crazy. When I contacted paypal to inform them they where bogus charges they had an address other than mine on file.

Just to be clear they did not use my valid pay pal account. they created a new one using my credit card

[Emission]

I have two PayPal ccounts: Personal and Business

Never had issues with either. Not inexpensive, but really convenient.

[Jdub]

Purchasing money orders from my bank cost me nothing since I bank there. Most folks don't push this, but if you ask your bank will not charge your for MOs.

And that's the way I pay for everything. Turn my cash into an MO and send it off, with the ebay item number on both the MO and the receipt.

John

[TerryH]

While Paypal is convienent and the money will transfer without a hitch, if the amount is large, you might want to consider escrow to protect yourself. However, never use an escrow service provided by the seller unless you can verify it is legit.

[Moses]

I opened a new account at a different bank just for Paypal. I keep a limited balance in there. I've been really happy so far.

[steve911]

I too have used paypal for several years and have had no problems. I have both a savings account and a credit card linked to it. As a seller, I only allow payments that are bank transfers, (funded from a bank account, not a credit card), so there are no fees.

I do like the idea of a separate bank account just for paypal - I'll have to set that up.

just my .02

[D Hanson]

I had both credit card and bank account access. I started seeing where someone was trying to tap into my pay pal account from various IP addresses and by typing in passwords and I pulled the bank account off. I would hate to see my bank account cleaned out. I still have my American Express, but I trust American Express would take care of me if there is any fraudulent activity as I burn over 6 figures a year on that card for my business expenses, travel and every day stuff.

[id10t]

I've been usign auctionpayments.com - they just send a Western Union money order. I'd be leery of paypal, since they do all the functions of a bank, but aren't a bank, so they don't have all the accountability, etc. a bank does.

If you are doing a high-dollar buy long-distance, consider using an escrow service to protect yourself.

[Want to be]

thanks for all the replies.

I guess i need to have several phone conversations with the person.
Name and address and maybe written up contract of sort.

Maybe check with the local pca in his area and also check to see if he is a pca'r too.

Basically i has always purchased a car through a dealer , now that i am looking @ older porsche (budget reasons) , i am finding myself looking outside the dealers.

thanks all.

jpc

[RickM]

A PPI (Pre Purchase Inspection) will be well worth the cost if the deal looks good.

[Want to be]

yes i forgot about that! PPI is a must of course!

Long distance purchase make me nervous.

jpc