Alternative(s) to PayPal?

[308Mike]

Does anyone know of an alternative to PayPal? The last time we discussed around the topic was back in 2010 when people were talking about Gun Pal, but nobody mentioned an alternative.

I know PayPal had lots of issues when they first started, but has anyone run into problems with them in the last few years? I know about their BS anti-RKBA/freedom politics, but other than their politics, are there other issues to be aware of? I was thinking of opening a basic savings account with the minimum amount of money in it to open it and using THAT account for the PayPal account. When money comes in, I'd move it to another account where PayPal doesn't have access.

I also noticed that if you give them a mobile number, you consent to receiving text messages from them for marketing and other things - which is a bunch of crap.

How hard would it be to start another PayPal type service, or is there already a good working alternative?

[rightisright]

I use Paypal on eBay and for personal donations and not much else. When given the option at a website checkout, I always use my credit card even though PayPal would be easier (if it's available).

[308Mike]

I use Paypal on eBay and for personal donations and not much else. When given the option at a website checkout, I always use my credit card even though PayPal would be easier (if it's available).

I agree, but my wife and I have run into companies who performed ALL their transactions through PayPal, one of which is (unfortunately) PizzaIDF and BurgerIDF.

I ran into problems by starting the sign-up process for PayPal, and hadn't agreed to their terms - and since I hadn't agreed to their terms, the credit card I had linked to the account wasn't allowed to be processed for any other purchases. I had to use my wife's card to send the Israeli troops on the lines some pizza, soda, and ice cream. It REALLY pissed me off!! WHY DISABLE MY CARD SIMPLY 'CAUSE I DIDN"T AGREE TO YOUR TERMS FOR THE EXPANDED SERVICE YET (IF AT ALL)??? I have NO PROBLEM agreeing to their terms for individual purchases, but now they've really pissed me off by denying my card when there's nothing wrong with it (I need to contact PizzaIDF to let them know about it, so they might find another method of accepting payments).

Tis is just one of the reasons I'd wish someone would come up with an alternative to PayPal - I don't understand why NONE of the major banks haven't dropped a few million bucks to get something good off the ground to compete with PayPal, 'cause they'd have LOTS of customers, ESPECIALLY if they didn't discriminate and focused SOLELY on the transactions, rather than the items purchased.

PayPal pisses me off, and I KNOW my wife and I aren't the only ones.

[Erik]

Some IPSC competitions here have started to use PayPal as a means of paying entry fees. It was necessary after too many people signed up for a spot and then not showing up, causing a loss for the organizers. You sign up for the competition online, and then you get a PayPal button to pay. When you use it, the online administration checks you as having paid, and your entry to the competition is approved. It's a lot easier for the organizer to administer than handling bank transfers or postal transfers, where people cant seem to write clearly who they are and what they are paying, so you have to investigate every payment.

I know some people had problems paying through PayPal that way, but I suspect that has more to do with the person. This system has been in use for some time now, and even though it takes a cut of the profit, I think it's worth it for the simplicity. Wouldn't be surprised if more competitions started doing it that way as well.

The other alternative is bank transfers. I don't know how that works in the US, but here it's pretty easy. You log in to the online bank, click to transfer money to another account, write the account number and amount, and a short message to the recipient, and approve the payment. It's as easy if not easier than PayPal, but it's a pain for the organizer when people don't write clear messages, there's no way of knowing who made the payment.

[blackeagle603]

Home Depot takes Paypal at the register now. I've set up to use it... It's convenient.

[Termite]

There are also ways of getting around Paypal's ban on firearms and other weapons.