Why PayPal?

[FoxEye]

Not for the first time, someone has asked for payment via PayPal only, and refused a Bank Transfer.

I don't understand why PayPal is better?

From my point of view, I refuse to link my bank account with my PayPal because I don't want to pre-authorise PP to take money from my bank account. I only use PP when it's free for me, or offers some benefit, such as eBay purchases.

People tell me PayPal gifting is free - it isn't for those of us who haven't linked our bank account with it. If you use a card to make PP gifts, they take 3.4% + 20p.

But I guess my real question is, why do people not want to accept Bank Transfer? It's free for both parties, and the risk (what risk?) from giving out your bank account + sort code, is not greater than when you would have to have written a cheque (remember those?)

So enlighten me, what is the point of refusing Bank Transfer for PayPal?

 

[FoxEye]

Because bank transfers are non-reversible.

Aside from that not being true, if you are the seller, that's a good thing, surely?

I am the buyer, btw.

 

[FoxEye]

I'd rather use bank transfer every time... but then I've never had anyone ask to use paypal other than through ebay, which I'm fine with.

If you look around the MM here, a significant % want PayPal only.

@arknor: the items is extremely low value, and I don't want it enough to bother. a game for £4 this time

 

[FoxEye]

But as far as anyone can see, there is no reason to refuse BT?

It's not less secure than PP, I think we can mostly agree on that?

 

[FoxEye]

If you send a gift with funds that are already in PayPal you pay no fees.

But you can only add funds to your PayPal account using a linked bank account.

You can't add funds from a card (debit or credit).

So again, unless you're willing to link your bank account, you can't avoid fees.

 

[FoxEye]

well the item went for £3 (paypal) as opposed to the £4 (BT) I had offered

That's a whole 25% less earnings due to aversion to bank transfer. In a recession and everything

heh