PayPal

[ILLCHILL]

Hey. Anyone wanna give me a little PayPal intro? How safe it is, any concerns I should think about, and the overall effectiveness of it. Also how does it function and what does it do exactly? I'm going to open one up in the next couple days as I just got hired by an online site to do some writing on the side and I'd like to know what I'm getting into.

[LP]

Re: PayPal

Never send anything through email. I have received several emails asking for my paypal info, paypal will not ask for information through email. One of my friends got scammed that way, but he isn't the sharpest tack in the drawer.

Overall, I think it is pretty safe. It wouldn't be as popular as it is if people were getting scammed.

[bgeno]

Re: PayPal

It's my understanding that it basically acts a middle man between you and whoever you're paying (or is paying you). Basically, instead of giving your financial information to multiple people in order to pay them or for you to get payed, you just give the information to one person (Paypal) and they move the money around.

You can link a Paypal account to a credit card or bank account (like I do)... or nothing.

It seems like you'll be getting payed for what you do (rather than paying), so you'll basically just give your e-mail address to the company, they'll send you your pay, it'll show up in your Paypal account, and you can then transfer it to your bank account, have Paypal send you a check or use the Paypal Debit Card (which you must be a Paypal member for at least 60 days to apply for).

I'm fairly new to Paypal myself, so someone might be able to add much more information or confirm any of what I said.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

Much thanks to both of you. If anyone else has anything to add it'd be appreciated.

[bgeno]

Re: PayPal

PS, who are you writing for and what about?

[SqueakyD]

Re: PayPal

It seems everyone has got everything nailed down. Just be aware that there's somewhat of a limit to accepting money over PayPal for free... meaning you can only get so much without having to pay a fee. If you go over this limit (I don't remember offhand what the limit is, sorry) in accepting cash, then you have to upgrade to a business/premium account where PayPal takes a small percentage of the money that is given to you by other people.

Also, if other people are paying you by a credit card through PayPal, you have to upgrade anyways. At least that's what I had to do.

Not that bad as you might hear from people. As long as you know what you're doing, and don't fall for any email traps as described earlier, everything should be okay.

[daflyboys]

Re: PayPal

And keep in mind that PayPal's protection/refund arm really only stretches to Ebay purchases (unless another major online company who utilizes PayPal specifies that you are protected). I tried to do a purchase through another auction site who utilizes PayPal, but I found out after the fact that I was out $45 when the guy who was selling the game never communicated or came through. Basically, I was screwed.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

It seems everyone has got everything nailed down. Just be aware that there's somewhat of a limit to accepting money over PayPal for free... meaning you can only get so much without having to pay a fee. If you go over this limit (I don't remember offhand what the limit is, sorry) in accepting cash, then you have to upgrade to a business/premium account where PayPal takes a small percentage of the money that is given to you by other people.

Also, if other people are paying you by a credit card through PayPal, you have to upgrade anyways. At least that's what I had to do.

Not that bad as you might hear from people. As long as you know what you're doing, and don't fall for any email traps as described earlier, everything should be okay.

Thank you very much. So if you abide by their rules and don't go overboard with the cash and whatnot, is it completely free?

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

And keep in mind that PayPal's protection/refund arm really only stretches to Ebay purchases (unless another major online company who utilizes PayPal specifies that you are protected). I tried to do a purchase through another auction site who utilizes PayPal, but I found out after the fact that I was out $45 when the guy who was selling the game never communicated or came through. Basically, I was screwed.

Oh I see. Is there a list that you know of where they are utilized?

PS Sorry about all these seperate posts guys I just don't know how to do multiple quotes in one post.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

PS, who are you writing for and what about?

Well I currently write for The Boston Globe/Boston.com, but this was just something I saw on an ad on Facebook and I checked it out called Suite101.com. I'll be doing sports, like I do at the Globe. I haven't checked it out to much as I'm trying to read/sign the contract but the site seems to be down I guess right now.

[dkgojackets]

Re: PayPal

Im pretty sure if they are paying a direct deposit into your paypal account and not using one of the dopey e-checks then you have to pay a fee when you receive the money. It's pretty small though, just a couple bucks depending on how big the transfer is.

Ive never had any problems and have used paypal for years.

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

Thanks.

[p2xgamers]

Re: PayPal

I wish had more to add, but really everyone has said the basics that you need to know. Basically - Signup, Give company your paypal email (so they cand send the money), Add a bank account (if possible) and that's it, you'll be ready to receive money through paypal and then you can transfer it into your bank account no problem.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me. (I think I've been with Paypal for over 5 years now )

[ILLCHILL]

Re: PayPal

Hey thanks alot guys.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: PayPal

I've been using paypal for several years...mainly tied to ebay. Only time I've had fees is when i was the seller (recipient of the money). They take a small cut from the total transaction.