How would you feel...

[JoshJP7]

So how would you feel if you were trying to buy a snake from a breeder and they were unwilling to accept payment via pay pal?? ... You tell them you are not willing to send X amount of dollars to some random person via check or money order(the only methods they accept) bc its pretty much cash and there is no way of "tracking" your money... pay pal is secure and is a means of tracking your money incase something like ...ummm i dunno say you never get your snake!... and this is their response...

I've already given you my final answer. Eventually you will have to trust people to do business with them. You've implied a number of times how this deal might go bad, and that I would scam you in some way. I wish there was a way I can make you feel comfortable, but I can't. And if you don't trust me, there is nothing I can do about it. I know you wanted the snake, that's why I'm willing to settle on your offer, but if you have other interests in other snakes, and thoughs people make you feel comfortable, then I think you should do business with them instead. I honestly feel bad, and I'm sorry to loose your business, but I can also understand your insecurities, with the way some people conduct business. Josh, good luck, and may you have wonderful experiences in the herp community. Thank you,

[STORMS]

Sounds kinda shadey to me... I'd take my business elsewhere. Like to someone who DOES accept paypal.

Just my

[xdeus]

It's their prerogative not to use Paypal and it's yours not to do business with them. Personally, I wouldn't mind sending someone a check or M.O. if they had a good reputation. If there wasn't a lot of information out there to give them a reputation, I would look elsewhere...

[JLC]

I'm kind of impressed with his response, actually. So many people in this "industry" get all defensive and pissy if you dare to challenge how they choose to conduct their business.

Maybe this person has had bad issues with Pay Pal in the past. Plenty of people have been completely burned by that means of transaction. It's entirely up to them how they choose to run their own business....and if it's important enough to them to stick to their guns, even if it means losing a sale....then more power to 'em. I certainly wouldn't take it personally.

And it's entirely within your right to choose not to buy that snake if you can't accept their offered methods of payment. But you shouldn't hold that against them any more than they hold your choice not to buy against you.

[JoshJP7]

I wouldnt have held it against them IF they had a reasonable reason they did not accept pay pal. His initial excuse was "I dont like the fees and Ive heard horror stories"... "oh but you can send that check or M.O. to the PO box below." I offered to pay the 3% and he again had no explanation why he wouldnt take pay pal... one word comes to mind ... scam

[Freakie_frog]

Personally I don't get hung up on how they except payment. If you want the snake then their are way to do business other than pay-pal. You sent them a check via certified mail with a signature receipt. They have to sign to receive it and you get a copy of their signature saying they got the check. Second request an invoice with the shipment and have them send the shipment signature receipt also so if your never gets to you then they have to provide proof in court that you signed for the snake. Also if you never get the snake and you write them a check you can go to your bank and sign an affidavit thats allows you to take them to court. Keep all emails of their willingness to send the animals requiring a signature. And rock on

[Freakie_frog]

I wouldnt have held it against them IF they had a reasonable reason they did not accept pay pal.

He doesn't have to have a reason that you think is good enough thats how he chooses to do business. It sounds like they have already worked with you on the price and what not so they aren't totally bad they just aren't allowing you to pay in a way thats convenient for you. If its that big of a deal thank them for their time and take your business else where.

I mean I don't take Pay-pal I hate the idea of my personal banking information stored some place other than an FDIC insured institution. They have a breach and they are not responsible for returning your money if the hacker gets you info.

[ctrlfreq]

So how would you feel if you were trying to buy a snake from a breeder and they were unwilling to accept payment via pay pal??

I run an online game that uses paypal as the primary method of purchasing additional turns and upgrades, and I can tell you that paypal is a huge PITA. It's not FDIC insured, and they bend you over on the charges (depending on the transaction amount, up to 15% of the total). All this means is that "your" money isn't actually yours while it's in paypal's hands, and there is no guarantee that you'll get the money should paypal decide to lock the account down (which happens more regularly than they admit).

Technically, in your situation, a check would be the same as a paypal transaction in that you can always stop payment on a check. A money order, on the other hand, is a bad idea if you're even the slightest bit uncomfortable.

[JoshJP7]

A check wouldnt work bc they obviously wouldnt ship until the check cashed... Put it this way... do you know any breeders that would ship the snake first and then have the buyer send the money after they get the snake? ... yeaaa prolly not.

[JLC]

I wouldnt have held it against them IF they had a reasonable reason they did not accept pay pal. His initial excuse was "I dont like the fees and Ive heard horror stories"... "oh but you can send that check or M.O. to the PO box below." I offered to pay the 3% and he again had no explanation why he wouldnt take pay pal... one word comes to mind ... scam

They don't owe you any explanation at all. And I don't think that sounds scammy in the least.