This company that for whatever reason, most of find ourselves obliged to use, has some serious issues to answer for.
First, I was shocked to read in this thread over at the Warrior Forum, that paypal very sneakily charges you much more than the rates they claim.
http://warriorforum.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=257934
I suggest everyone goes to read this thread now – watch the screencast video in the first post, go to paypal and apply to get your rates decreased before they steal anymore money from you. Here’s the video link:
http://screencast.com/t/NmNu6Zwm
I followed the procedure on the video just last week and was shocked by what I saw.
They say you need to “apply” for the lower rates…
The application form is a complete joke – all information that they would have from your account already – questions like:
What is your company name?
Do you sell from ebay or your website?
And about 3 other similarly ridiculous questions.
Then you hit submit… They say you’ll be emailed when your application has been “reviewed”.
And I got an email back INSTANTLY saying that my account has been approved and my fees have been lowered – ie there is no review procedure at all, it was automatic.
In other words, its a false barrier to try and stop more people getting the correct lower rates.
They say you have to make over 3k a month for the lower rates to apply, but I’m wondering if that’s even true – there’s no way they could have reviewed my account statistics and approved it based on that since the approval occurred so fast.
Not only that but their damn website is CONSTANTLY having problems – I can’t check my history, get timeouts trying to send payments, and other miscellaneous errors depending on the site’s mood on any given day.
And after all this, they are so trigger happy with limiting accounts, reversing payments, and other stupid things to people like me who’s business makes them a stack of money.
Ahh I’m just in a bad mood and keen for a rant. Here’s to hoping that Google or someone else comes and knocks them over asap.
REMEMBER to watch this video in that thread and go to Paypal asap to get yourself the lowered rates.
Until next time!
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Thanks for the heads up Andrew.
We’ve a love/hate relationship with PayPal too. So money in our pockets is better than theirs.
Google do have Google Checkout – is that a viable option for we Aussies accepting online payments..?
Man, that’s a great bit of information Andrew. I had no idea. Your right though, I’ve had more problems with Paypal through using them with my RAP system than I could ever count. Timeouts….and the like.
Once again…thanx for that info, I’m going to try and go through that process and make the switch.
Cheers
Davin
Hi Andrew,
Yes I know that it’s easy to fly off the handle. Yes I appreciate that you blogged about this because I didn’t know that I needed to do that….
However, I don’t blame PayPal for that. I blame myself for not keeping up with my BIGGEST online partner. I should (as everybody should) take the time to become PP experts if you are relying on them for your income.
If you review PP at least once per month and re-read their TOS, get familiar with any changes, even find that you need to apply for lower rates…you are just doing your diligence.
I don’t leave it up to Pay Pal to tap me on my shoulder to tell me I’m NOT compliant with their TOS. That would be silly.
I would risk losing my account and having all my funds frozen if I just operated in the dark with my head in the sand.
So I guess I admit that I’ve had my head in the sand myself because I didn’t know that I needed to apply for lower fees.
But your comment about them automatically approving you was a little off. The approve you because they already know what your average sales are. The decline you if your average sales are less than $3000 for the prior month. No review is needed as this is the only requirement.
Anyway, thanks for reminding me that I really do need to stay up to date with PayPal. After all, that’s the biggest asset to my business online.
Yeah, I just tried it, and got this email right away:
“We appreciate your interest in our merchant price program. Unfortunately, we are unable to approve your request at this time.
Your application was denied for the following reason(s):
Your payment volume in the last 30 days is less than the required amount needed to qualify for PayPal’s merchant rate.
We encourage you to re-apply for merchant pricing in thirty days, at which time we will review your account status.
Sincerely,
PayPal Merchant Account Team”
Thanks for letting us know, though, because I might need it soon…=)
Kyle
On a side note… I watched the video and liked the video capture software, JING. However, when I tried to install it, my AV (Kaspersky) screamed at me for installing a trojan, Backdoor.Win32.Bifrose. Beware!
They will also remove your better rate if you are not consistantly meeting the requirement.
So you also need to have a minimum in your paypal account, I think for the top level its maybe 5k or 10k in paypal at all times?
Something like that.
Also Andrew try IE for Paypal, I have HEAPS of issues with firefox & paypal.
Cheers
Marc
@dawnprofies: I’ll definitely go with 2CheckOut. I’ve got one of those Paypal accounts that are opened by other folks for people outside the list of valid/accepted countries and I’ve been skeptical when it comes to using it due to all the horrible stories I hear about Paypal.
So far so good I haven’t got a problem with 2CheckOut.
Andrew, part of the problem with the Paypal site is that we Aussies use it at a time when they’re probably doing maintenance (their night time) I find this with a lot of sites. Yes IE is better for PP as someone has already suggested.
I think what is needed is a real alternative to Paypal.
Cheers
Wendy