🚀 go-pugleaf

On Sun, 17 May 2009 19:35:36 -0700, The Real Bev wrote:

>> After a certain amount of transactions paypal requires that you link to
>> a checking account instead of a credit card.
> 
> What kind of numbers are you talking about here?  I was under the
> impression that the individual seller determined the payment method. 
> I've got CCs linked to both ebay and google checkout and have had no
> problems with either.

I don't know how paypal (or google checkout) handles things now but IIRC  
the limit was somewhere around $2000 cumulative.  If you spent over $2000 
over all purchases linking to a CC they made you supply them a checking 
account number -- which they would have access to.  You could still pay 
via CC but paypal could debit money from your checking account if things 
went wrong.  I have zero trust in anyone having access to my checking 
account let alone a company like paypal who has such a horrible reputation.

>> I ran up against this on one
>> of my last ebay transactions a bunch of years ago.  Paypal refused the
>> transaction so I ended up paying the old fashioned way -- by money
>> order.
> 
> I'd just cancel the order.  Money orders generally cost more than I'm
> willing to pay.  

A money order is a mere 50 cents + 39 cents for a stamp (back then).  On a 
$50 purchase this isn't that much, plus the seller should be happier since 
they don't have to kick back to the paypal mafia.  I couldn't just cancel 
the order because I won the bid and I have a 100% rating on ebay.  I 
always honor my bids there.  Getting a money order isn't that big of a 
deal.  At the time the seller understood my dilemma and that I had a right 
to refuse paypal's request.

> Sorry you've had so much trouble.  I've found a lot of "ebay stores" who
> have excellent prices on electronic stuff -- mostly small stuff that
> costs $2 with them or $15 at Best Buy etc. Kind of like the old days
> when guys sold software out of their living rooms...

What's the shipping cost of that $2 item?  That's where the sellers make 
up the difference.  They make you think you paid $2 but they charge you $5-
$10 for shipping and handling and then you're really paying almost as much 
as Best Buy -- but psychologically you think you're getting that item for 
1/7 the cost.  Personally, I just shop at Microcenter and usually save a 
significant percentage over Best Buy.

That said, I did buy some things like inkjet cartridges on ebay but I 
bought in bulk to offset the shipping and handling.  It will be awhile 
before I need more cartridges however and I would bet if I googled there 
is some reputable non-ebay web site who will give me the same price and 
just take my CC and ship them to me.