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(New) PayPal for Offline Business

by Ed H
17 replies
Paypal is competing with Square in the small offline business space now:
https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2012/03/paypal-here/ with a card reader and software for easy credit card processing.

While I love what Square has done for payment enablement and processing for the small biz, I am concerned with PayPal. If a merchant has a big sale, or does a lot more activity due to an event, holiday, etc, how will PP react? Will there be account freezes or other holds? (or is this just an IM thing?)

What do you think? How will you be advising offline clients?

-Ed
#business #offline #paypal
  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I'm not sure I'd advise clients to process payments, which are critical via Paypal. They need to make the decision all on their own.
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    • Profile picture of the author bluecoyotemedia
      Hi Rus


      if I may ask you a question you seem to be a pretty successful guy with your products.. I am curious to what platform do you use to manage your customers and leads

      thanks

      eddie
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        I use Rapid Action Profits by Sid Hale! It rocks!

        If you are asking about offline clients I manage leads with my own program gpscraper for leads and I have a client portal as well.

        Originally Posted by bluecoyotemedia View Post

        Hi Rus


        if I may ask you a question you seem to be a pretty successful guy with your products.. I am curious to what platform do you use to manage your customers and leads

        thanks

        eddie
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  • Profile picture of the author HypeText
    Originally Posted by Ed H View Post

    Paypal is competing with Square in the small offline business space now:
    https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2012/03/paypal-here/ with a card reader and software for easy credit card processing.

    While I love what Square has done for payment enablement and processing for the small biz, I am concerned with PayPal. If a merchant has a big sale, or does a lot more activity due to an event, holiday, etc, how will PP react? Will there be account freezes or other holds? (or is this just an IM thing?)

    What do you think? How will you be advising offline clients?

    -Ed
    While that seems like a decent deal on surface, I still wouldnt trust PayPal with my business Funds.

    They have an extensive history of freezing funds and snatching money from peoples bank accounts.

    Something like 30 states have open investigations into their business practices.
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  • Profile picture of the author somacorellc
    Paypal froze the account of a nonprofit I work with because they had a membership drive and got about 300 signups in 2 weeks. Paypal said it was "unusual activity" and froze the account. When they called to ask about it I explained what was going on - in all it took a week to unfreeze it. I wouldn't recommend these people to anyone.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I will not, EVER recommend any BUSINESS to use paypal as their way to process payments.
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    • Profile picture of the author RRG
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      I will not, EVER recommend any BUSINESS to use paypal as their way to process payments.
      What about WSO owners? They all use Paypal and get hundreds or thousands of transactions during a launch.
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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by RRG View Post

        What about WSO owners? They all use Paypal and get hundreds or thousands of transactions during a launch.
        It is not a feasible business plan if it revolves around PayPal. There are countless WSO owners who get shut down, have account holds, etc. Sorry but I don't want anyone to hold MY MONEY for 180 days.
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        • Profile picture of the author ronr
          Most businesses have merchant accounts, It's also not nearly as hard for offline marketers or internet marketers to get a merchant acount these days. I have 2 myself. No signup fees. You need to submit paperwork and such but if you don't have a bankrupcy or anything you can get a merchant account. It costs a little more (about $30/month) and of course they take a small percent of the money but that's the cost of doing business.

          In my opinion it's much safer than Paypal.

          Ron
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          • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
            Originally Posted by ronr View Post

            Most businesses have merchant accounts, It's also not nearly as hard for offline marketers or internet marketers to get a merchant acount these days. I have 2 myself. No signup fees. You need to submit paperwork and such but if you don't have a bankrupcy or anything you can get a merchant account. It costs a little more (about $30/month) and of course they take a small percent of the money but that's the cost of doing business.

            In my opinion it's much safer than Paypal.

            Ron
            Mine cost 19.95/mo plus 1.4% transaction fees, american express is 1.9%. The transaction fees alone save me a ton in comparison to paypal.
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            • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
              Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

              Mine cost 19.95/mo plus 1.4% transaction fees, american express is 1.9%. The transaction fees alone save me a ton in comparison to paypal.
              Who are you using and what percentage of your sales dont qualify at those rates?
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            • Profile picture of the author bob ross
              Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

              Mine cost 19.95/mo plus 1.4% transaction fees, american express is 1.9%. The transaction fees alone save me a ton in comparison to paypal.
              My merchant account restricts me from selling any SEO services because they said visa does jot allow it. Have you had an issue with this?

              I don't really sell it but they saw it on my website and threw a fit, making me sign an agreement not to sell any SEO.
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              • Profile picture of the author ronr
                That's interesting Bob, I haven't heard that before. Do you restrict you from selling websites or anything like that? Did this happen when you applied?

                Originally Posted by bob ross View Post

                My merchant account restricts me from selling any SEO services because they said visa does jot allow it. Have you had an issue with this?

                I don't really sell it but they saw it on my website and threw a fit, making me sign an agreement not to sell any SEO.
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                • Profile picture of the author believemarketing
                  Originally Posted by ronr View Post

                  That's interesting Bob, I haven't heard that before. Do you restrict you from selling websites or anything like that? Did this happen when you applied?
                  in general visa's & mastercard's rules are also strict, but it is usually depends on the provider how they supervise activities....

                  for example, they don't really allow you to charge customers before shipment... but in practice, big numbers of small retailers are doing this and providers are willing to look away most of the time.....

                  I heard WePay is good alternative if you dont want Paypal or be bothered with a merchant account... otherwise there is also Square....
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  • Profile picture of the author believemarketing
    paypal is the worst... way too uptight about things....

    You get more business, they freeze account, you get big amount of money, they freeze account..... go with paypal if you are fine with a week to a month freeze on your account while they are reviewing things...
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  • Profile picture of the author sundaymorning
    I've heard some stories about paypal that are so shocking that I won't dare repeat them but as an offline marketer I would seriously consider wayning away from paypal. It hasn't happen to me but that's not to say that it won't. I love how easy paypal is but if you are looking for something more simple braintree is also a good look.
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  • Profile picture of the author vndnbrgj
    Merchant account... Match Rate Plus
    I get a percentage of my fees back... Paypal doesn't give me any cash back.
    If they give me anything, it's problems and headaches.
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