As If You Needed Another Reason To Hate PayPal

[BiBunny]

Anybody seen this?

I keep wanting to make some sort of commentary, but I'm so astounded by the stupid that I can't.

 

[Keroin]

I LOATHE Paypal and would rather mail wheelbarrows of money than deal with them.

Now, you might want to check out these guys:

https://www.dwolla.com/


I have heard really good things about them and apparently they are gunning for Paypal. Yay!

I'm going to be researching them quite thoroughly as a committee I'm on may use them on our website next year.

 

[BiBunny]

I LOATHE Paypal and would rather mail wheelbarrows of money than deal with them.

Now, you might want to check out these guys:

https://www.dwolla.com/


I have heard really good things about them and apparently they are gunning for Paypal. Yay!

I'm going to be researching them quite thoroughly as a committee I'm on may use them on our website next year.

I've heard a good bit about them, too. Would you mind sharing what you learn in your research? I have been unhappily using PayPal to accept payments for my writing/SEO services, and I would love to change.

 

[Loverskitten]

Yes, I've been following Regretsy since it's inception and she does a ton on charity... a ton!
I know the Regretsy hoard has been posting on paypals FB like fiends and that's a group I WOULD NOT WANT TO MESS WITH, hehehe. I suspect Paypal will get theirs and get it good, like angry torch wielding mob, good

 

[Keroin]

I've heard a good bit about them, too. Would you mind sharing what you learn in your research? I have been unhappily using PayPal to accept payments for my writing/SEO services, and I would love to change.

Will do. We have been using cheques and money orders and it's just been a pain in the behind. We need to make the leap to online payments but we refuse to stoop to Paypal. When I find out all the info, I'll post it here.

Until then, you have my sympathies.

 

[BiBunny]

Yes, I've been following Regretsy since it's inception and she does a ton on charity... a ton!
I know the Regretsy hoard has been posting on paypals FB like fiends and that's a group I WOULD NOT WANT TO MESS WITH, hehehe. I suspect Paypal will get theirs and get it good, like angry torch wielding mob, good

I only casually follow Regretsy, but I agree with you. I wouldn't want to piss those people off, LOL.

 

[BiBunny]

Will do. We have been using cheques and money orders and it's just been a pain in the behind. We need to make the leap to online payments but we refuse to stoop to Paypal. When I find out all the info, I'll post it here.

Until then, you have my sympathies.

Muchas gracias.

 

[Daddy2mylilgirl]

Regretsy Issue Resolution
DECEMBER 6, 2011

Last night we became aware of an issue with one of our account holders, Regretsy.com. Though we can’t comment specifically on the account due to our privacy policy, we can confirm that the funds have been released and we are working directly with the account holder on this matter. Just like anyone else, we believe strongly in helping those in need, especially around the holiday season. We are working with Regretsy to make a donation to help their cause, and we’re truly sorry this occurred.

For background, we have clear guidelines for any business that uses PayPal to accept donations. For example, we require certain documentation to prevent misuse of the donated funds and, if the recipient claims charitable status, to determine whether they are properly registered. We do this to protect our customers and to protect our business. As a regulated payment service, we’re also required by law to follow these guidelines.

We appreciate that this can be an inconvenience, but we have a responsibility to all our customers – both donors and recipients; and buyers and sellers. In this instance, we recognized our error and moved as swiftly as possible to fix it.

Thanks,

–Anuj Nayar, Director of Communications, PayPal

 

[BiBunny]

Regretsy Issue Resolution
DECEMBER 6, 2011

Last night we became aware of an issue with one of our account holders, Regretsy.com. Though we can’t comment specifically on the account due to our privacy policy, we can confirm that the funds have been released and we are working directly with the account holder on this matter. Just like anyone else, we believe strongly in helping those in need, especially around the holiday season. We are working with Regretsy to make a donation to help their cause, and we’re truly sorry this occurred.

For background, we have clear guidelines for any business that uses PayPal to accept donations. For example, we require certain documentation to prevent misuse of the donated funds and, if the recipient claims charitable status, to determine whether they are properly registered. We do this to protect our customers and to protect our business. As a regulated payment service, we’re also required by law to follow these guidelines.

We appreciate that this can be an inconvenience, but we have a responsibility to all our customers – both donors and recipients; and buyers and sellers. In this instance, we recognized our error and moved as swiftly as possible to fix it.

Thanks,

–Anuj Nayar, Director of Communications, PayPal

A.) I'll say what I said when I first saw that: It sounds like the pure corporate bullshit that it is.

B.) As of this afternoon, Regretsy still had not gotten confirmation of this from PayPal themselves. The blog has been updated to say that she has spoken with them, but no details have been posted yet.

C.) I'm sure that without the ensuing media shitstorm, they wouldn't have given even this half-assed "We're sorry you got so upset" apology.

D.) It still doesn't excuse the fact that PayPal is shady as hell.

 

[Keroin]

D.) It still doesn't excuse the fact that PayPal is shady as hell.

Shady and just soooooooo confusing and user unfriendly.

 

[Stella_Omega]

I've been hearing about dwolla.

And another possible web payment gateway: https://stripe.com/ (which seems to be a Wells Fargo service, or else use Wells Fargo to service it's users, I don't know which, so if you have an aversion to WF you should know that)

 

[BiBunny]

I've been hearing about dwolla.

And another possible web payment gateway: https://stripe.com/ (which seems to be a Wells Fargo service, or else use Wells Fargo to service it's users, I don't know which, so if you have an aversion to WF you should know that)

I think I remember hearing about Stripe as well, but I know nothing about it, either. Thanks!

 

[KoPilot]

You gotta be fucking kidding me.

 

[Loverskitten]

This story has made the front page of lots of news sites like CNN, go Regretsy mob!

 

[His_pet_slut]

I'm not condoning what happened, but it looks like efforts are being made to make this situation right.

*shrugs* Screw ups happen, in the corporate world and in the small business world. I have used PayPal for my online business for over 11 years. Only had one instance of a mistake with them and they made it right in a matter short order. Actually, they straightened it out faster than the screw up made by a locally owned bank a few years back. I can't risk alienating customers by going to a lesser known/trusted payment method for my online stuff. I use square up for cc processing when I do shows and other venues where people are actually present with their card.

 

[BiBunny]

I'm not condoning what happened, but it looks like efforts are being made to make this situation right.

Yep. After they had their asses handed to them. Which doesn't really count as making amends, IMO.

*shrugs* Screw ups happen, in the corporate world and in the small business world. I have used PayPal for my online business for over 11 years. Only had one instance of a mistake with them and they made it right in a matter short order. Actually, they straightened it out faster than the screw up made by a locally owned bank a few years back. I can't risk alienating customers by going to a lesser known/trusted payment method for my online stuff. I use square up for cc processing when I do shows and other venues where people are actually present with their card.

You'd actually be amazed at the number of people who don't want to do business with PayPal because they've been screwed so much. At the moment, the only alternative I have to offer my clients is payment through U.S. money order, and that's not exactly what you'd call convenient. There are quite a few options out there, and I need to get off my ass and find one (or two) that I find acceptable.

 

[His_pet_slut]

I know I could likely find an alternative for sales on my own dot com site, but a lot of my business is via Etsy and MO/Checks just isn't a good option for that. If there is anyway of using your merchant services account through them, I haven't figured it out. If there were, I would go with a stand alone merchant service. I tried Google checkout for awhile on my dot com and another selling venue, but I hated it and had a lot of customer complaints on using it. I dumped it and have not looked into their new incarnation of it.

 

[Stella_Omega]

With etsy you're stuck with paypal. Same with a lot of the other marketplace venues. I've used them since the early days, and have always been lucky when I needed customer service. And I know that luck is what it's all about.

 

[BiBunny]

The update in which the "donation" still hasn't quite happened yet.



Not that it's anywhere near on the same level by any stretch of the imagination, but PayPal freezes my account at least once a month for the unforgivable sin of using my laptop somewhere that isn't my house. It was ok the first time. And the second time. And even the third time. But due to the fact that it's been happening regularly since March, it's gotten ridiculous.

PayPal sent me a "security key" to keep it from happening. The security key, more often than not, doesn't even work. I got mine for free for complaining so often, but they charge people $30 a pop for these things, and, according to a quick Google search, mine not working is hardly an unusual occurrence.

Because the damn thing doesn't work, I've spoken to the people at PayPal repeatedly and let them know that I, the account holder, authorize use from Location X, which is my parents' house. (Yes, they've frozen me at least 10 times for using my account from the same damn location.) I can usually get my account unfrozen fairly quickly because I've had to do it so many times. I bypass the online BS and go directly to the phone and yell, "AGENT!" at the automated system fifteen times until it finally gives up and directs my call to a live person.

The thing that burns my ass is that every time, I get an email saying PayPal has "randomly" flagged my account for verification. Randomly. Uh-huh.

I understand that they have to be aggressive about combating fraud, but it's gotten more than a little ridiculous. Most of the time, my ability to pay bills and eat is dependent on my access to that account. I dislike the "random" freezes--my account was once frozen because I made the mistake of updating my phone number--and being treated like I'm trying to fuck the whole world out of every dime of their money.

To me, the Regretsy incident seems like typical PayPal behavior, but that doesn't make it ok. I was already close to finding other payment options, and this crap is just the straw that broke the camel's back, as it were.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Helen says:

They have also offered me the opportunity of doing unlimited business without fees through the end of the year. It’s really the only way I’d use them at this point, since they won’t be getting anything from me.

yeah because the end of the year is just a few weeks away. Really generous there.

 

[Etoile]

CF4L, bitches.

 

[midwestyankee]

Yep. After they had their asses handed to them. Which doesn't really count as making amends, IMO.



You'd actually be amazed at the number of people who don't want to do business with PayPal because they've been screwed so much. At the moment, the only alternative I have to offer my clients is payment through U.S. money order, and that's not exactly what you'd call convenient. There are quite a few options out there, and I need to get off my ass and find one (or two) that I find acceptable.

I'm curious about this. What kinds of things has PayPal done to consumers to make them want to shy away from using the service? Or are the bulk of the complaints from merchants?

 

[rosco rathbone]

I refuse to use paypal.

Just cancelled an order online because the company had no other payment option.

 

[BiBunny]

I'm curious about this. What kinds of things has PayPal done to consumers to make them want to shy away from using the service? Or are the bulk of the complaints from merchants?

Accounts being frozen for no reason is the usual complaint, at least for the people I know of.

 

[Keroin]

I'm curious about this. What kinds of things has PayPal done to consumers to make them want to shy away from using the service? Or are the bulk of the complaints from merchants?

I tried to set up a Paypal account about five years ago, for a fundraising venture.

It was so confusing, I gave up. And I am relatively web literate.