Paypal for business - your thoughts?

[jonrussell]

I've just had an enquiry from a new corporate customer requesting to pay by credit card for my services. However to this point most of my customers have paid using BACS or cheque. I haven't got the time to set up a merchant account and I was wondering whether you think it looks unproffesional to request payment via a paypal email?

 

[wecandobiz]

I would say it probably does where you are dealing B2B. Not so much B2C, but a contact at a corporate is going to wonder whether you're asking them to pay personally and then reclaim on expenses before they understand what's going on.

Just my £0.02.

IH

 

[logicfusion]

If someone sends you a cheque and then cancels it, you have a very strong case in law to sue. A cheque is a promise for payment of money regardless. You also have their bank account details etc should you need to ask the court to enforce judgment ;o)

With a credit card you risk chargebacks for a period of time after the initial transactions (plus processing sur-charges).

I know which choice I prefer.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

Some people like to pay by CC as it gives about an extra month interst free time to pay. You will have to pay a comission on the payment, varies according to amount you take and the bank providing it. You may lose some customers if you don't offer this. I suppose it depends on the cost and hassle of setting it up v. the potential loss.

Barrie

 

[Eagle]

I was wondering whether you think it looks unproffesional to request payment via a paypal email?

No. Not in the slightest. They're a payment merchant just like any other.

Shall I?

Shall I?


I think I will...

Ladbrokes
Sony-Ericsson
Harrods
Boots
Schuh
Toshiba
BBC Shop
Maplin
Adobe
William Hill
New Look
Dabs.com
Goldsmiths
JD
DHL
123-Reg
eBay
cdWow
MISCO
Napster
Skype
TopShop
EA
Viking Direct
Miss selfridge
Vespa
Eagle Imagery
Monarch Airlines

...to name but a few big names all accept PayPal.

 

[Muniesa]

I've just had an enquiry from a new corporate customer requesting to pay by credit card for my services. However to this point most of my customers have paid using BACS or cheque. I haven't got the time to set up a merchant account and I was wondering whether you think it looks unproffesional to request payment via a paypal email?

Depends on who are your customers. I wouldn`t mind using it.

 

[cjd]

PayPal is only a small part of the market. If you are a real business you need to take money from your customers using whatever they use. If you only accept PayPal you restrict your customer base unnecessarily.

 

[cybermega]

I would recommend in the strongest manner that you do not consider paypal for your business! - why? just read the many complaints on paypalsucks . com . I had the terrible misfortune of falling foul of paypal a few years ago and they froze my funds for 6 months! and if you think i am an isolated case you are wrong, just read the forum link above !

dont say you were not warned about them!

 

[Eagle]

The world has moved on since that site started...

 

[wecandobiz]

No. Not in the slightest. They're a payment merchant just like any other.

Shall I?

Shall I?


I think I will...

Ladbrokes
Sony-Ericsson
Harrods
Boots
Schuh
Toshiba
BBC Shop
Maplin
Adobe
William Hill
New Look
Dabs.com
Goldsmiths
JD
DHL
123-Reg
eBay
cdWow
MISCO
Napster
Skype
TopShop
EA
Viking Direct
Miss selfridge
Vespa
Eagle Imagery
Monarch Airlines

...to name but a few big names all accept PayPal.

These are mostly consumer focused sites though. I think it says something different if yours is a B2B site, especially if they are fairly significant company purchases.

It's all about trust and I am not sure Paypal necessarily instills that.

IH

 

[PeeJay1980]

I've just had an enquiry from a new corporate customer requesting to pay by credit card for my services. However to this point most of my customers have paid using BACS or cheque. I haven't got the time to set up a merchant account and I was wondering whether you think it looks unproffesional to request payment via a paypal email?

tes

I don't think it does but as previously mentioned, and from personal experience, it can only take a "dispute" and you can find yourself within Paypals clutches trying to prove or disprove anything in relation to that transaction. And seeing as bank transfer (BACS or otherwise) is just as easy I would stick to that unless it is a "one off". Paypal could be a good incentive for businesses to accept card payments but their Customer Services and investigation techniques require a bit of buffingq

 

[JDX_John]

I don't think PP is hugely professional though I do use it a lot myself to pay my contractors in other parts of the world.

However if you can tell your customer "I offer payment through BACS, cheque or PayPal" that's already a choice... BACS is very very easy since both business/personal accounts have "make a payment" in online banking.

 

[Eagle]

However if you can tell your customer "I offer payment through BACS, cheque or PayPal" that's already a choice...

Agree totally; that's how I play it. PayPal should remain an option for your client.

 

[iArtist]

HI Jon

Most of my customers pay via BACS or Paypal and I've not had any problems with this so far.

I don't take cc payments and don't ever plan to do so.

Leah

 

[JDX_John]

Arguably, CC is also an unprofessional way to take payments, depending what you're selling, B2B. Or at least a little weird...