I’m just about at my wits end with PayPal. A while back I felt that way, I called them and was given some info that actually made me think I could do business with them still. I had been hearing horror stories about fellow designers and web developers that had basically been robbed by PayPal. They did a job, the client paid, then a few weeks later, the client contacts PayPal and claims they never got the work that was promised. PayPal just credited the money back to the client. No questions asked. Pretty messed up huh? Well, I was furious. At least a real merchant account required some sort of proof (or ours did anyway) and allowed you to prove that you did it. PayPal didn’t allow you to dispute it. The money was just gone.
When I called them, the gentlemen I spoke to actually had the common sense to say, “Look, I know you are mad and concerned and yes, this is a problem for a lot of people. Here is how you keep it from happening to you…” And he proceeded to explain the difference between a transaction that no physical product had traded hands on and one that had an actual product sent to the client. So, in order to protect yourself, you must include a physical address for your client on the invoice and send them a CD containing the work done via signed receipt. Now I’ve always sent a CD as an archive for my clients. It’s just a courtesy thing. But now…it’s a “cover my own butt” thing too.
Ok, what got me ruffled this week is this: my client paid with echeck. That was on the 11th. According to her that money was deducted from her account immediately, within seconds…gone…poof! Paypal says it has to hold it to clear until the 17th (that’s today btw). Well, it’s not there still today. Where is it? I know that PayPal isn’t making a ton of money off of my small design payment but…what if they do this to thousands and thousands of people? That is a lot of interest that our money makes sitting in their account while it’s “clearing”. I am fairly certain that someone in the 80’s went down in flames for that very same thing. Banks? Credit card companies? Someone I can’t really remember now (I’ve only had 2 sips of coffee so far…I might remember and edit later).
So, my simple to use-everyone has it merchant account turns out to be a thief and I need a new one to use. Only I trust them all as far as I can throw them. Anyone have any ideas? Any good stories about the small merchant type accounts? I’m not paying thousands for Visa right now because I honestly am not doing enough business to justify their fees. Maybe if things keep up as is, I’ll be going for a real merchant account soon. In the meantime, what is a small business person to do??
I’m up for ideas and suggestions. So feel free to comment. Thanks for your time!!
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