Paypal is a RIP

[chaddy42]

Whilst I understand people's frustration with Paypal, especially if they state one fee but charge higher (that is clearly not on), this is a far better solution than when I first entered the hobby almost 20 years ago.

Back then, you would write a letter (plus postage) to someone like Steve Taft with a want list. 4-6 weeks later he would respond with what he had, plus a huge postage fee. You would then walk to the bank, stand in a queue and purchase a bank draft ($8 fee and exchange rate around .65...less about .03 that the bank took as profit in the exchange). Then you would write a letter back with the cards you were after (always based on high Beckett price) and include the bank draft. 4-6 weeks later you would finally receive your package - never all the cards you wanted, so he would add others (that you didn't really want) to make up the cost.

So it would be about 3 months to complete a transaction with usually a 15-20% 'fee' for bank charges and postage (excluding the actual cost of shipping the items).

Now days, you contact the buyer, pay instantly with Paypal and receive the card in a couple of weeks.

Certainly not having a go at the OP, but I know the option that I would prefer...

 

[GarnettFan4Life]

Yeah and I appreciate your points on the old days Dale but it's just progress, times change and things become more efficient, look at what the league pass broadband and iPad have done for watching bball, it's not Ch10 game of the week or scores from the newspaper anymore, it's stats overload.

My wondering is why there isn't a strong competitor yet, it's been a long time since eBay was fair and good and every year power sellers and people with eBay stores are forced out with fee changes etc etc so I just can't believe there isn't a viable option/competitor. Surely it's anti competitive eBay owning paypal! Terrible stuff

 

[nazimcricket]

Even present day, paypal is a heckuva lot cheaper than doing any foreign currency transactions through a bank and a lot more convenient as well. So, as much as I hate their monopoly and their fees, I am still a fan!

As to alternatives, there are other options (e.g. moneybookers etc) but they all operate in similar ways, so really not much you can do but accept these as a cost of doing business!

 

[chaddy42]

Actually Matt, it was awesome in the late '80 when the ABC had the game of the week on Friday nights...no NBA on FTA any more. I actually remember putting together an NBA ladder with magnets and a whiteboard and would update it based on newspaper results! Fun days!!

Now, back to the topic of Paypal...

Yeah and I appreciate your points on the old days Dale but it's just progress, times change and things become more efficient, look at what the league pass broadband and iPad have done for watching bball, it's not Ch10 game of the week or scores from the newspaper anymore, it's stats overload.

My wondering is why there isn't a strong competitor yet, it's been a long time since eBay was fair and good and every year power sellers and people with eBay stores are forced out with fee changes etc etc so I just can't believe there isn't a viable option/competitor. Surely it's anti competitive eBay owning paypal! Terrible stuff

 

[hsv006]

I can see your point but...seriously..getting that worked up over a few bucks..
Its a service and like everything else you pay for that service...if you dont like it.
Try send a international money order and see what that cost ya....lololo

 

[lukesicari]

I agree with Steve. I know your angry that they ripped you etc but at the end of the day it is only a few dollars.

 

[GarnettFan4Life]

A few $$ from each customer x 100 million customers a week is a pretty good deal for them.....

 

[lukesicari]

A few $$ from each customer x 100 million customers a week is a pretty good deal for them.....

Haha sure is. It's amazing how PayPal get away with this all the time. Surely heaps of people e-mail them about this issue every day.

 

[banzini]

Whilst I understand people's frustration with Paypal, especially if they state one fee but charge higher (that is clearly not on), this is a far better solution than when I first entered the hobby almost 20 years ago.

Agree with you totally. I don't mind the current system as it means I get my goods 2 weeks quicker than sending the seller in the US a bank cheque or draft. This was one method I used and I can remember emailing the sellers saying "got my cash yet" after 2 weeks. I also used to go into Thomas Cook - would have to drive to the local one (15mins away), waste time and money on petrol then send the cash wrapped up in an envelope (after Thomas Cook ripped me of 5c on the exchange) and post it away for another $1.65 regular mail.

 

[SpriteAllNight33]

Hey I agree ... Yeah they rip you off with a few dollars ... But hey It's only a few dollars ... If you're In the hobby, then you need to be able to take that couple dollar hit ... They DO have to make their money ... I just got paid $815 ... Paypal took out theirs ... I was left with $791 ... Sucks ? YES . ... But that's how the game works ! ... NOTHING Is EVER free ! ... The ONE thing my parents told me that Is actually true !

... of course they have to charge us. We're using their site ! ... It could be ALOT worse.

 

[hairyangryfella]

I can see your point but...seriously..getting that worked up over a few bucks..
Its a service and like everything else you pay for that service...if you dont like it.
Try send a international money order and see what that cost ya....lololo

I agree with Steve. I know your angry that they ripped you etc but at the end of the day it is only a few dollars.

Agree with you totally. I don't mind the current system as it means I get my goods 2 weeks quicker than sending the seller in the US a bank cheque or draft. This was one method I used and I can remember emailing the sellers saying "got my cash yet" after 2 weeks. I also used to go into Thomas Cook - would have to drive to the local one (15mins away), waste time and money on petrol then send the cash wrapped up in an envelope (after Thomas Cook ripped me of 5c on the exchange) and post it away for another $1.65 regular mail.

Hey I agree ... Yeah they rip you off with a few dollars ... But hey It's only a few dollars ... If you're In the hobby, then you need to be able to take that couple dollar hit ... They DO have to make their money ... I just got paid $815 ... Paypal took out theirs ... I was left with $791 ... Sucks ? YES . ... But that's how the game works ! ... NOTHING Is EVER free ! ... The ONE thing my parents told me that Is actually true !

... of course they have to charge us. We're using their site ! ... It could be ALOT worse.

Yes but guys, how can you state a fee of 1% and then actually charge over 5%... no company in the world should be able to get away with something like that...!

 

[A_Iverson_I]

Yeah and I appreciate your points on the old days Dale but it's just progress, times change and things become more efficient, look at what the league pass broadband and iPad have done for watching bball, it's not Ch10 game of the week or scores from the newspaper anymore, it's stats overload.

My wondering is why there isn't a strong competitor yet, it's been a long time since eBay was fair and good and every year power sellers and people with eBay stores are forced out with fee changes etc etc so I just can't believe there isn't a viable option/competitor. Surely it's anti competitive eBay owning paypal! Terrible stuff

Well Serve | Home (from Amex) has been doing a lot of advertising of late and if anything they would be an up and comer competitor. I think they only operate in the US right now, but I imagine that will change over time.

I can see your point but...seriously..getting that worked up over a few bucks..
Its a service and like everything else you pay for that service...if you dont like it.
Try send a international money order and see what that cost ya....lololo

As Hairy said...... it's not really about how much it was..... it's about them stating one fee and charging another; and then completely ignoring his questions in their response to him.

 

[SpriteAllNight33]

You're right G ... It's messed up. But what can we do about It ? They won't change anything. At least you try !