How safe is Paypal?

[Stitch's O'hana]

I just bid on an item and I am think of using the Paypal method to pay for it( that's if I win it of course). Just wanted to know just how safe is it? Can they see your acount #'s for which way you paid? Just wanted to get feedback from other's that have done this before.

Thanks in advance!

 

[crazee4mickey]

I use Paypal to buy things off eBay all of the time and have never had one bad experience(over 400 transactions).
When I buy and pay using Paypal the only thing shown is the item #, a description, quantity, price, total and of course my address to which item is being shipped--- it has never shown my account #'s.

 

[poohandwendy]

Sellers cannot see any of your private financial information. And they cannot request it. (if that is who you are mean when you say 'they')

They are just notified that your money went into their account. I have used paypal as a buyer and seller for years with no problems. I just make sure to change my password on a regular basis.

Hope that helps.

 

[anfolio]

I agree with those above. Paypal is very well known in the industry and is very secure and safe.

 

[bicker]

Paypal does have a lot of complaints against it though -- and very legitimate concerns, but generally not Paypal's "fault". Paypay is very deliberately crafted in the sellers' favor. Contrast that with paying by credit card, which is crafted in the buyers' favor.

Paypay exists principally because eBay sellers were "sick and tired" of being held to regular commercial-seller standards by customers, who, when dissapointed, used the standard mechanism available to them to gain leverage to force an equitable resolution to the seller-buyer dispute: reversing the charge with the credit card company. Paypal has its own dispute resolution, which more often than with credit card companies, ends up deciding in favor of the seller.

Based on the volume and gravity of the complaints I've read about Paypal from disappointed buyers, I've decided never to use Paypal myself, but rather will only pay by credit card, since that way I'm protected.

To be fair, there are some eBay sellers out there who operate like a commercial business, and for which such problems don't as often occur. (They also often also accept credit cards.) However, it still isn't worth the risk to me to give up the protection afforded me by paying directly by credit card. Also, the essential nature of eBay is changed by the presence of commercial businesses like that -- it's not what I would have gone to eBay for, generally, anyway.

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

Sellers cannot see any of your private financial information. And they cannot request it. (if that is who you are mean when you say 'they')

They are just notified that your money went into their account. I have used paypal as a buyer and seller for years with no problems. I just make sure to change my password on a regular basis.

Hope that helps.

Yep, that is what I mean. I feel more safe about doing know this now. I have never done this before, so I knew nothing on how it really worked or anything. But now I know. Thanks so much for this info.

And thank you to everyone else as well, you all have been a big help!

 

[poohandwendy]

Paypay exists principally because eBay sellers were "sick and tired" of being held to regular commercial-seller standards by customers, who, when dissapointed, used the standard mechanism available to them to gain leverage to force an equitable resolution to the seller-buyer dispute: reversing the charge with the credit card company.

I disagree. Paypal exists to make money, pure and simple. Ebay saw the demand and took advantage of it.

There are just as many sellers as buyers who complain about auction disputes with Paypal. Also, if you use your credit card to make a Paypal payment, you can get a chargeback through your credit card company, so you still have that protection.

 

[bicker]

I disagree. Paypal exists to make money, pure and simple.

Well, of course. I accept that as an axiom -- every corporation exists to make money. My point was that the essential aspects of Paypal that made it better than paying by credit card were things that were solely in the sellers' benefit, and to a great extent, to the buyers' disadvantage.

There are just as many sellers as buyers who complain about auction disputes with Paypal.

I won't debate that, even though I disagree with it. My point was that sellers are more satisfied with the results of auction disputes when paid via Paypal than they would be with the results of auction disputes when paid via credit cards.

Also, if you use your credit card to make a Paypal payment, you can get a chargeback through your credit card company, so you still have that protection.

It isn't the same protection because your vendor, in that case is Paypal, who has done you no wrong.

 

[C.Ann]

I've used it for years as a buyer and a seller and have never had any problems at all..

 

[poohandwendy]

Well, of course. I accept that as an axiom -- every corporation exists to make money. My point was that the essential aspects of Paypal that made it better than paying by credit card were things that were solely in the sellers' benefit, and to a great extent, to the buyers' disadvantage.

I won't debate that, even though I disagree with it. My point was that sellers are more satisfied with the results of auction disputes when paid via Paypal than they would be with the results of auction disputes when paid via credit cards.

It isn't the same protection because your vendor, in that case is Paypal, who has done you no wrong.

As a seller and a buyer, I disagree that sellers are more satisfied with the outcome of disputes, from what I have read. There are pros and cons on both ends.

I am not sure I understand what you mean with your last comment, the credit card company seeks the transaction information from Paypal and makes their decision based on that. Same thing that happens when you ask for a chargeback from any other vendor.

 

[bicker]

And Paypal can say that they processed the payments in accordance with their agreements, and they'd be correct. Paypal's agreement clearly says they're not liable for the actions of the buyers or the sellers.

FWIR, the way these things generally go down is if Paypal can get the money back (or have not yet given it to) the seller, then the buyer has a fighting chance in the dispute. If Paypal cannot get the money back, the buyer is completely SOL, with no recourse.

Regardless, trying to seek some common ground here: If you disagree that Paypal is a detriment to buyers, can you at least agree that there just is no benefit to the buyer to having Paypal standing between the credit card company and the seller?

 

[poohandwendy]

And Paypal can say that they processed the payments in accordance with their agreements, and they'd be correct. Paypal's agreement clearly says they're not liable for the actions of the buyers or the sellers.

FWIR, the way these things generally go down is if Paypal can get the money back (or have not yet given it to) the seller, then the buyer has a fighting chance in the dispute. If Paypal cannot get the money back, the buyer is completely SOL, with no recourse.

Regardless, trying to seek some common ground here: If you disagree that Paypal is a detriment to buyers, can you at least agree that there just is no benefit to the buyer to having Paypal standing between the credit card company and the seller?

I have to jump in the shower, but short answer....I would agree that there is no benefit to using Paypal other than convenience, for the buyer and the seller.

 

[PghLybrt]

Very first time I used it I was charged twice for the same product. It has been going on 6 months now and I still do not have my money back, they insist I got the product, which I did, but only one and was charged for 2. On top of all of that the seller shipped it to the wrong location so I then had to pay to reship it. I think I am done with eBay, to much work, to much headache.

 

[flortlebap]

For buyers, it's perfectly safe, as long as you qualify for buyer protection.

Personally I wouldn't pay for anything online without it!

 

[Stitch's O'hana]

Very first time I used it I was charged twice for the same product. It has been going on 6 months now and I still do not have my money back, they insist I got the product, which I did, but only one and was charged for 2. On top of all of that the seller shipped it to the wrong location so I then had to pay to reship it. I think I am done with eBay, to much work, to much headache.

Well, that is no good at all! How did that happen, did the check out button get hit 2 times or did the seller have something to do with it? I can understand why you would want to be done with ebay. If I went through all of that, I would not want to deal with it either.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

We use it all the time when buying things on eBay.

Never had a problem.

 

[Cass]

I have over 1000 verified rating transactions (purchasing & selling) I have never had a problem with PayPal.