[meteorite-list] A note about the Paypal - personal transaction "exploit"

From: Michael Blood <mlblood_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Jul 2009 16:33:47 -0700
Message-ID: <C67FC0EB.546C%mlblood_at_cox.net>

Hi Mike & all,
        The feeless transfer of $ SHOULD be restricted to loans,
Gifts, etc. That is what it is intended for and the policies make
It clear. I send $ to my daughter every month and this just means
She doesn't have to loose some of the $ I am sending to help with
Her education.
        If people start abusing this you can be sure it will be removed
As an option. Most of the problems this country is dealing with are
The result of our culture becoming amoral - especially where $ is
Concerned. Sex - I don't consider that a problem, except that people
Don't always "protect" themselves - so, "amoral" is not a reference
To sex - it is primarily a reference to MONEY.
        DO NOT try to rip off PayPal. They provide a valuable service
To the internet community - thereby to the meteorite community, and
Their fees are not outrageous. (I do think 1.5 to 2% would be more
Appropriate, but at least they are not like credit cards that look for
Ways to rip you off every possibly way.
        My 2c
        Michael


On 7/12/09 4:14 PM, "Galactic Stone & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Hi List,
>
> Recently there was some discussion the List about a new policy by
> PayPal allowing people to send money as a "personal gift" instead of
> the usual commercial transaction - thus skipping the fee. I just
> wanted to make people aware of an issue regarding this practice. If
> you send money using this "personal" method, then the transaction is
> not eligible for PayPal shipping. PayPal figures that since it's a
> gift or money transfer that is personal, then there is no need to ship
> a package - so there is no available option to print a shipping label
> and use PayPal to pay for the postage. This means the seller saves
> the small fee, but then has to make a trip to the Post Office instead
> of putting the package in the mailbox on the front porch for the mail
> carrier to pickup. For the small potatoes people like myself, I don't
> mind paying the PayPal fees - it's part of the game. Heck, what is 3
> or 4% of $20 anyway? Now, the bigger dealers who are selling multiple
> pieces worth hundreds or thousands of dollars each, may take a
> different view of fees.
>
> Plus, intentionally skirting the fee system by conducting commercial
> transactions via the personal method is a violation of PayPal's TOS.
> (Terms of Service) - it can jeopardize your PayPal business or
> premiere account. So my advice to dealers who are contemplating this
> method as a means to conduct business is - think again and consider if
> it's worth risking your PayPal account and having to make extra trips
> to the post office.
>
> I don't want any particular person to think this is in response to
> something they said or did. I've had a couple of trading partners
> recently inquire about this method - thinking they might be doing me a
> favor by suggesting it. I politely decline - I'd rather pay the
> modest fee and be able to track the package from my desktop using
> PayPal shipping. Heck, I don't do enough transactions to be tempted
> by the idea in the first place. :)
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
Received on Sun 12 Jul 2009 07:33:47 PM PDT