Now, I' don't want this to sound like I'm being a smarta$$ or anything, but why do you accept Paypal for eBay purchases but not with items directly from you guys at the company? Like I said, I'm not trying to be smart here, just curious as to why one but not the other. I use Paypal quite frequently from my eBay sales and that's basically my "stash" of money that I use to spend on items that I want to buy. It's a very good way to regulate your spending.... basically, if there's not enough money in Paypal for what I want, then I better get to selling... simple as that! Also, I may be totally wrong, but would the addition of Paypal increase sales to people that may only use that feature? It may only be a super small increase... now that thinking of it, it may also be a pain in the butt to handle it that way... nevermind, I'll shut-up now. I tend to go off on a rant sometimes! lol
pssst... "I won't tell anyone if you let me use Paypal through you guys!"
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
Will the addition of PayPal as a payment method increase our sales to offset the fees they charge us to administer a transaction? Don't know. . .
We offer PayPal on eBay because the alternative payment method is that a customer needs to call us during business hours and provide a credit card number. And the importance of depleting overstocked/obsolete inventory can negate any inconvenience we may experience.
The real issue with PayPal is the time spent administering payments. One of our goals is to keep our internal operations really efficient. With the eBay PayPal payments we need to go to their web site, sweep the payment, reconcile an additional account with our internal business management software. It involves an additional person. Last time I checked in Parallax this·procedure is what we considered a pain in $%#, not to mention we loose a few percent off of each PayPal payment. And if·we want to integrate PayPal·to be automatic with our business software, I need to pull the almighty IT Manager out of other operational projects to write some scripts. None of us want that to happen.
The most recent request from our customers was for USPS. To make this efficient, we integrated it into our system and now it is available. But we're finding that the USPS has some trouble with international shipments (sometimes their staff interprets their customs rules differently than their printed directions) and packages get returned. My point is we can't do it all, easily. One project at a time.
Nonetheless, I'll do my internal investigation of PayPal again to see if the·procedure is any more efficient. But that couple of percent we pay them still bothers us.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
P.S. I'm sure you can call our sales staff and they will allow you to use PayPal for an order anyway.
Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 9/8/2005 6:08:47 PM GMT
First of all, thanks Ken for the super quick response! I understand about how easy it is for someone like myself who doesn't work in the company to come up with a zillion ideas and just expect it to just, *poof!*, be a working deal. I have never been accused of being a knowledgable business man by anyone, but on the other hand, you have proven by far to be one... so I will definitely take your word on it.
BTW... even if you don't add Paypal, I still won't tell anyone if you let me use it! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Thanks again Ken,
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
I'm writing to give you a follow-up on PayPal since I've completed some research. Basically, we can add PayPal to our on-line shopping cart software anytime - it's a radio button. But once we do that it will trigger a few other web programming issues.
Sounds easy enough, but here's the situation.
We've got a new web site almost ready to roll out, which we've been working on for a year (uses .Net). And to get it done, the final setup lies with the IT Manager. And anything we throw at him (especially "fixes" to our current web site) delays the release of the new web site. And because the new web site will do everything [noparse][[/noparse]everything], he's requesting a web programming moratorium on us. That doesn't mean we can't keep improving our web site (it changes every day at least 15 times), it only means that we need to avoid relying on him for two more months for programming requests.
Solution - we'll add PayPal on the new web site and you'll have it in the future. But use your credit card if you can because we don't want to pay them a couple percent for facilitating what's actually easier to do without them. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Worst case, you could add a % transaction fee to all PayPal purchases on the new site. It probably won't be too popular, but if you put up the explanation for it, most should understand it.
Me?
I got a new piece of plastic a few days ago, so I'm set for the next two years.
(And if you could get the problems with International USPS fixed, I'll start spending... )
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Don't visit my new website...
Adding a precentage to transactions based on payment type is not a viable option in some states. There are laws (in some states) against this to protect consumers from vendors charging "surcharges" for credit card users. This has been applied to other payment methods as well. In some states, they have also closed the "loophole" that allowed a higher "base price" and then a "cash discount".
While not fair to the sellers who have to pay the extra percentages, it is a fact of life and a cost of doing business.
If everyone would just pay thier minimum monthly payment, then the credit card companies would probably make enough money, and wouldn't have to charge the sellers the percentages they do! It's all those folks who keep paying down their balances that ruin it for the rest of us...
Possibly a different "handling charge", but I think this may also fall into the above problem.
Okay, I can't sit still on this anymore ... unlike Google, Paypal is NOT your friend. I used Paypal to make a purchase back in February. To make a long story short, I got nothing but promises of "I'm shipping your product next week" from the vendor for SIX MONTHS. Finally, I got fed up and asked for a refund, and -- no surprise -- I got no response, even after several attempts to contact the vendor. So I contacted Paypal because this vendor is listed as VERIFIED. Their response: Sorry, you must file a complaint within 45 days of purchase ... we suggest you contact the seller and try to work things out. Duh! I'd been doing that for six months. They basically told me to buzz off. So, I filed a complaint against Paypal with the BBB, because their attitude says to me that they have a tacit agreement with vendors to string customers along past that 45 day window; that way they can keep their cut and the vendor can take your money without delivering anything.
My refund showed up two days later.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ Jon Williams Applications Engineer, Parallax
Please, fellows - quit asking Parallax for PayPal.· PayPal takes a bite out of payment they process, and when your margin of profit is small like mine, that bite can hurt a bit.· Credit cards are more secure, faster, and you can always dispute a credit card charge with your credit card company.· My credit card number is on file with Parallax and all I have to do is send Sales an e-mail and my order is shipped the next day.· So forget PayPal - if you don't have a credit card, get one.
Newzed,·
Some of us do not desire to own a bunch of credit cards.· I'm 33 yrs old and have done the "credit card" thing a long time ago.· I prefer to pay for things outright, not just charge everything which seems to be a trend amongst millions of people nowadays.
Newzed said...
(PayPal takes a bite out of payment they process, and when your margin of profit is small like mine, that bite can hurt a bit.)
If the small amount that Paypal charges you hurts, then·the finance charges that the credit card companies·are charging you must be killing you.· Maybe you aren't thinking about all of that in a much larger spectrum.·
I would be more than willing to pay a small transaction fee for using the Paypal feature to offset what they charge Parallax.· No problem at all.
A lot of young people get into trouble with their credit cards and I personally find it sickening.· I have seen that a million times while in the Army... you have 17 and 18 year old "new" soldiers, on their own, first time away from mommy and daddy... you have all of these stores and companies around the bases·practically giving away credit to these guys/girls.· These companies knew they could get their money, if not paid, just by going to that soldier's commanding officer.· These kids start charging everything under the rising sun and then can't keep up with all of the payments and finance charges.· Now, that cool car stereo they just had to have that was on sale for $300 has actually cost them $450 after all of the finance charges, etc.· Does that make any sense?· Not to me.· Then their credit is ruined and they still owe a ton of money for the stuff that they just had to have now, and not save up for it. (Which, if they would've had to save up for it, they probably would've had enough time to think about it and not have purchased it in the end.)
Now, do I own a credit card? ················ Yes, I do.·
Ask me what·the balance is on it... ················ I'll answer that: $0.00·· (Absolute emergency only, and by the way, as long as I keep it at zero it costs me nothing at all to have it)
Newzed said...
(So forget PayPal - if you don't have a credit card, get one.)
Capital One Commercial said...
(The answer is "NO")
And besides, I don't want to owe anyone anything after all is said and done.· It is much more enjoyable knowing that you are debt free.· You don't have to give up on buying things, just buy them when you can afford them.· The next time someone asks you what you own, really think about it and figure out if you actually own it or are still trying to.
btw - Thanks Ken, for responding to·this topic.·
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
I just checked and I don't see PayPal as being any more expensive than my current processor (Card Services and Authorize.net). In fact, for international orders, PayPal is less expensive.
As for Jon's problem with PayPal, I believe you only have 30 days to dispute a Credit Card charge, so how is PayPal in the wrong?
I've disputed several E-Bay purchases and PayPal has always refunded within a couple of days.
It just makes good business sense for Parallax to accept PayPal, especially if they are losing business because they don't accept that form of payment.
All you need to do is put "use USPS" in the remarks field of an international order and our sales staff will use that service and adjust shipping accordingly.
Jsjga (and To Whome It May Concern):
There is also a "middle of the road" option. PayPal offers a MasterCard that is tied directly to your PayPal account. The spending limit is what you have in your PayPal account, and it works just like a MasterCard...without fees! And Parallax has happily (very happily, I think) accepted it many times from me <g>.
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Truly Understand the Fundamentals and the Path will be so much easier...
Thanks Tom,
I will definitely have to look into that option.· I didn't even realize that Paypal offered that type of card.· It·just might·be worth it.
And a little comment about my post earlier... That was just my way of venting about credit, in general.· (never was a fan of credit as you can probably tell)· It was not at all a personal attack on anyone, I apologize if it sounded that way.· Newzed, I just happened to use your·post to quote from, that's all.·
Thanks,
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔ P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
Will the addition of PayPal as a payment method increase our sales to offset the fees they charge us to administer a transaction? Don't know. . .
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
P.S. I'm sure you can call our sales staff and they will allow you to use PayPal for an order anyway.
I had a web site that sold landscaping material and I used Paypal as my exclusive merchant provider, no monthly fees and only a 2% transaction fee! I'm not sure if it is different with larger companies but Paypal is the way to go. I search for sites that offer Paypal if they sell the products I'm looking for. ·
Credit cards are dangerous and I made a promise to my self I would never let my balance get out of control again. With Paypal, If you don't got the money, you can't buy. ·
I think Pay pall would definitely increase sales fees or no fees.
Tom Walker said...
Jsjga (and To Whome It May Concern):
There is also a "middle of the road" option. PayPal offers a MasterCard that is tied directly to your PayPal account. The spending limit is what you have in your PayPal account, and it works just like a MasterCard...without fees! And Parallax has happily (very happily, I think) accepted it many times from me <g>.
That is the best option for both the consumer and Parallax. Paypal Visa/MC !
Zax
Posts: 48
Comments
·· Currently PayPal is accepted for eBay purchases only.· There are currently no plans to accept PayPal for general payment of merchandise.
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Chris Savage
Parallax Tech Support
csavage@parallax.com
pssst... "I won't tell anyone if you let me use Paypal through you guys!"
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
Will the addition of PayPal as a payment method increase our sales to offset the fees they charge us to administer a transaction? Don't know. . .
We offer PayPal on eBay because the alternative payment method is that a customer needs to call us during business hours and provide a credit card number. And the importance of depleting overstocked/obsolete inventory can negate any inconvenience we may experience.
The real issue with PayPal is the time spent administering payments. One of our goals is to keep our internal operations really efficient. With the eBay PayPal payments we need to go to their web site, sweep the payment, reconcile an additional account with our internal business management software. It involves an additional person. Last time I checked in Parallax this·procedure is what we considered a pain in $%#, not to mention we loose a few percent off of each PayPal payment. And if·we want to integrate PayPal·to be automatic with our business software, I need to pull the almighty IT Manager out of other operational projects to write some scripts. None of us want that to happen.
The most recent request from our customers was for USPS. To make this efficient, we integrated it into our system and now it is available. But we're finding that the USPS has some trouble with international shipments (sometimes their staff interprets their customs rules differently than their printed directions) and packages get returned. My point is we can't do it all, easily. One project at a time.
Nonetheless, I'll do my internal investigation of PayPal again to see if the·procedure is any more efficient. But that couple of percent we pay them still bothers us.
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
P.S. I'm sure you can call our sales staff and they will allow you to use PayPal for an order anyway.
Post Edited (Ken Gracey (Parallax)) : 9/8/2005 6:08:47 PM GMT
BTW... even if you don't add Paypal, I still won't tell anyone if you let me use it! [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Thanks again Ken,
~Jeff~
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
I'm writing to give you a follow-up on PayPal since I've completed some research. Basically, we can add PayPal to our on-line shopping cart software anytime - it's a radio button. But once we do that it will trigger a few other web programming issues.
Sounds easy enough, but here's the situation.
We've got a new web site almost ready to roll out, which we've been working on for a year (uses .Net). And to get it done, the final setup lies with the IT Manager. And anything we throw at him (especially "fixes" to our current web site) delays the release of the new web site. And because the new web site will do everything [noparse][[/noparse]everything], he's requesting a web programming moratorium on us. That doesn't mean we can't keep improving our web site (it changes every day at least 15 times), it only means that we need to avoid relying on him for two more months for programming requests.
Solution - we'll add PayPal on the new web site and you'll have it in the future. But use your credit card if you can because we don't want to pay them a couple percent for facilitating what's actually easier to do without them. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
Sincerely,
Ken Gracey
Parallax, Inc.
Me?
I got a new piece of plastic a few days ago, so I'm set for the next two years.
(And if you could get the problems with International USPS fixed, I'll start spending... )
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Don't visit my new website...
While not fair to the sellers who have to pay the extra percentages, it is a fact of life and a cost of doing business.
If everyone would just pay thier minimum monthly payment, then the credit card companies would probably make enough money, and wouldn't have to charge the sellers the percentages they do! It's all those folks who keep paying down their balances that ruin it for the rest of us...
Possibly a different "handling charge", but I think this may also fall into the above problem.
John R.
My refund showed up two days later.
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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax
Now, can we get off this subject.
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Sid Weaver
Do you have a Stamp Tester yet?
http://hometown.aol.com/newzed/index.html
·
Some of us do not desire to own a bunch of credit cards.· I'm 33 yrs old and have done the "credit card" thing a long time ago.· I prefer to pay for things outright, not just charge everything which seems to be a trend amongst millions of people nowadays. If the small amount that Paypal charges you hurts, then·the finance charges that the credit card companies·are charging you must be killing you.· Maybe you aren't thinking about all of that in a much larger spectrum.·
I would be more than willing to pay a small transaction fee for using the Paypal feature to offset what they charge Parallax.· No problem at all.
A lot of young people get into trouble with their credit cards and I personally find it sickening.· I have seen that a million times while in the Army... you have 17 and 18 year old "new" soldiers, on their own, first time away from mommy and daddy... you have all of these stores and companies around the bases·practically giving away credit to these guys/girls.· These companies knew they could get their money, if not paid, just by going to that soldier's commanding officer.· These kids start charging everything under the rising sun and then can't keep up with all of the payments and finance charges.· Now, that cool car stereo they just had to have that was on sale for $300 has actually cost them $450 after all of the finance charges, etc.· Does that make any sense?· Not to me.· Then their credit is ruined and they still owe a ton of money for the stuff that they just had to have now, and not save up for it. (Which, if they would've had to save up for it, they probably would've had enough time to think about it and not have purchased it in the end.)
Now, do I own a credit card?
················ Yes, I do.·
Ask me what·the balance is on it...
················ I'll answer that: $0.00·· (Absolute emergency only, and by the way, as long as I keep it at zero it costs me nothing at all to have it)
And besides, I don't want to owe anyone anything after all is said and done.· It is much more enjoyable knowing that you are debt free.· You don't have to give up on buying things, just buy them when you can afford them.· The next time someone asks you what you own, really think about it and figure out if you actually own it or are still trying to.
btw - Thanks Ken, for responding to·this topic.·
~Jeff~
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P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
As for Jon's problem with PayPal, I believe you only have 30 days to dispute a Credit Card charge, so how is PayPal in the wrong?
I've disputed several E-Bay purchases and PayPal has always refunded within a couple of days.
It just makes good business sense for Parallax to accept PayPal, especially if they are losing business because they don't accept that form of payment.
Kenny
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--
Kenny Gardner
GAP Development Company
http://www.gapdev.com/
·
All you need to do is put "use USPS" in the remarks field of an international order and our sales staff will use that service and adjust shipping accordingly.
- Ken
There is also a "middle of the road" option. PayPal offers a MasterCard that is tied directly to your PayPal account. The spending limit is what you have in your PayPal account, and it works just like a MasterCard...without fees! And Parallax has happily (very happily, I think) accepted it many times from me <g>.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Truly Understand the Fundamentals and the Path will be so much easier...
I will definitely have to look into that option.· I didn't even realize that Paypal offered that type of card.· It·just might·be worth it.
And a little comment about my post earlier... That was just my way of venting about credit, in general.· (never was a fan of credit as you can probably tell)· It was not at all a personal attack on anyone, I apologize if it sounded that way.· Newzed, I just happened to use your·post to quote from, that's all.·
Thanks,
~Jeff~
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P.S. This is what this part of the alphabet would look like if "Q" and "R" were eliminated.
·
Credit cards are dangerous and I made a promise to my self I would never let my balance get out of control again. With Paypal, If you don't got the money, you can't buy.
·
I think Pay pall would definitely increase sales fees or no fees.