Payment Methods

What is the best payment method when buying from a small time breeder in a different location?

Paypal is probably the most prefered method for buyers, but I think it realy offers a false sense of security. I heard that when purchasing a live animal with Paypal, that the transaction is not disputable. Does anyone know if this is true??? Details??? I know sellers don't particularly like Paypal because of the transaction fees.

Nobody wants to send cash. Aren't money orders pretty much the same thing as cash? Personal checks could work, but I don't think they are disputable either if you don't get what you were supposed to get, or if what you get is dead / damaged.

Can anyone shed some light on this topic???!!!

Paypal. If you don't trust the person enough and feel they might rip you off, then don't go through with the transaction.

I don't know this for a fact, but I believe I've read on Fauna that Postal Money Orders are pretty safe, because if there is fraud involved, it carries a heavier penalty. I'd have to do more looking.

I'd probably take cash in person, and I'd accept money orders and personal checks (they'd have to clear before I send out animals).

I'm set up for Paypal, but I haven't sold anything yet.

Credit Cards allow you to dispute charges but I'm not sure what their rules/policies are when it comes to live animals. Its worth looking into if you're not confident with who you're buying from.

Not all small breeders have information avaiable to judge their reputation upon; its part of the risk people take when dealing with a small breeders. Sometimes you score an awesome animal at a great price and other times you get burned. Trust and knowing who you are buying from are the only way to ensure a happy transaction from start to finish.

Well, when I bought my pastel male last year I sent the money via postal money order, and made it so that he would have to sign his name and have it verified before he could walk out with the money, and so that I would be contacted separately to confirm the money had been signed for. The transaction took longer, but was secure because I had reciepts. It worked well, though, and felt far more safe than sending cash or something.

I prefer PayPal. Buyers have the choice of using a credit card or having the money taken straight from their account. I really like that feature as a buyer. I would have to agree with Nathan - if for any reason you don't trust the seller, don't send them your money! Unfortunately, it is always a risk buying animals online.

As a seller, I do not like to accept check or money order as it takes so much longer. I have had several potential customers tell me they will mail off the check or money order asap and then I never receive anything, nor do I ever hear back. That means the animal has been on hold for a week or two for nothing.

At shows, I prefer cash. I would love to be able to accept credit cards, but those fees make PayPal look like an incredible bargain. For those that don't know: there is a $15-20 monthly fee, fees on each transaction (usally just under 2% to about 3% plus .30 per transaction) and then the kicker for me - the $20 monthly minimum. Each month you must accumulate $20 in fees or pay the balance. So for people like me that only need to accept credit cards at shows, tack on $20 to the monthly fee 9 months out of the year. I love to use my credit card at shows (hate carrying cash), and I always wondered why some people didn't accept them. Now I know.

I did just learn about a service that PayPal has - sending money via text message on your cell phone! You need to activate your phone ahead of time, but it does offer an alternative to running off in search of an ATM at shows.

Im currently dealing with a possible buyer that will only use PayPal, but my dad does not have a PayPal, causing a little bit of trouble... he wont even do a cashier check

my dad owns his own refuse truck parts biz, and has a credit card machine, but anything i sell with that i have to ad to the price to cover fee's... i have done that, and i have also done personal checks, and am willing to do cashier checks...

im hoping that this potential buyer will change his mind, seeing as i have no acces to paypal... :/

If the concern is disputability then your best bet is to get a credit card with good fraud or purchase protection - and use it for all your on line transactions - because although you can't dispute a paypal payment for live animals (yes there is a clause in their TOS), you can dispute the purchase through your credit card company. It's a long and tedious procedure but it can be done -- make sure you keep all details of a transaction until you are completely satisfied everything is as purchased. In some cases the cc will refund your money immediately but if they decide you couldn't provide necessary proof they will take the money back. As well there is usually a time limit -- I know my cc that I use for all my snake purchases has excellent protection but two years later when I found out that I received a bunch of bogus hets from Top Shelf Exotics there was nothing they could do for me.

As a seller - I prefer Google check out - its fees are cheaper than Paypal and doesn't require buyer to open an account -- and the money is in my bank account usually in a day or two as opposed to the 3-4 that it takes paypal. But as a seller I'm flexible and I'm willing to take most forms of payment -- but things like cash, checks and money orders,etc. I do require them to be sent via an insured and traceable means - as protection for both parties.

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Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

As a seller - I prefer Google check out - its fees are cheaper than Paypal and doesn't require buyer to open an account -- and the money is in my bank account usually in a day or two as opposed to the 3-4 that it takes paypal. But as a seller I'm flexible and I'm willing to take most forms of payment -- but things like cash, checks and money orders,etc. I do require them to be sent via an insured and traceable means - as protection for both parties.

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Google Checkout doesn't allow animal sales.. I had it and they refused service after they found out about my site. I learned the hard way..

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

Google Checkout doesn't allow animal sales.. I had it and they refused service after they found out about my site. I learned the hard way..

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Yikes :O - interesting - I'd never heard that -- I know I've bought and sold a bunch with out problems -- I guess I'll go back and check their TOS. Of course Paypal says the same thing and look how many people use it.

Google Check out animal policy.

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Animals, animal parts, blood, or fluids and noxious weeds, prohibited seeds, plants or other organisms (including product derivatives) in danger of extinction or whose trade is otherwise regulated by law

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The way they wrote this animals could be all encompassing or it could mean "animals in danger of extinction or ..." in which case unless we were selling Panda bears we'd be ok. But you are probably right - LOL.

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Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

Yikes :O - interesting - I'd never heard that -- I know I've bought and sold a bunch with out problems -- I guess I'll go back and check their TOS. Of course Paypal says the same thing and look how many people use it.

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Well, I got an e-mail from Google stating that I couldn't use it...

Maybe because I have a lot of my TOS on there?? I dunno.

I never knew paypal and google prohibited animal sales. I've used paypal as a buyer to purchase an animal. Interesting.
That really could put a dent into sales if people had to stop using those services.

Pay Pal is probably the easiest and most efficient... Obviously there will be the mess up here and there from time to time... nothing is perfect...

As a buyer and future seller this is what I think makes the most sense... If its a high priced order(over $500) then the seller pays shipping... If the buyer is paying with pay pal they always pay the 3%. I think this is the fairest deal as both shipping and the 3% fee come out to roughly the same costs. Neither buyer or seller is taking a hit.

I do not like paypal one bit!!!

We got ripped off big time about a year ago. In short, we paid through paypal, the seller delayed shipment, delayed shipment, delayed shipment, and we tried contacting him several times. He eventually stopped returning correspondance.

We opened a dispute with paypal, escalated it the next day, and waited. Paypal came back and asked us to send all our proof. We sent it, and we were told we had actually WON the dispute. BUT (big butt) they said we weren't going to be awarded our money back because the seller already took the money from the account.

So we were out a lot of money, no snake, the seller's account was frozen but he had our money, and we were SOL.

We opened a fraud claim with our credit card company and were eventually given back all of our money. Although PayPal did send an email telling us to close our fraud claim with Visa because it was against their TOS, but screw that. We got our money back in the end.

I hate Paypal. It does NOT offer protection. I'd rather go with checks or money orders any day.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I do not like paypal one bit!!!

We got ripped off big time about a year ago. In short, we paid through paypal, the seller delayed shipment, delayed shipment, delayed shipment, and we tried contacting him several times. He eventually stopped returning correspondance.

We opened a dispute with paypal, escalated it the next day, and waited. Paypal came back and asked us to send all our proof. We sent it, and we were told we had actually WON the dispute. BUT (big butt) they said we weren't going to be awarded our money back because the seller already took the money from the account.

So we were out a lot of money, no snake, the seller's account was frozen but he had our money, and we were SOL.

We opened a fraud claim with our credit card company and were eventually given back all of our money. Although PayPal did send an email telling us to close our fraud claim with Visa because it was against their TOS, but screw that. We got our money back in the end.

I hate Paypal. It does NOT offer protection. I'd rather go with checks or money orders any day.

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Major bummer Connie....

...I have never had troubles with paypal...but watch everything fall apart now that I said that :weirdface

...I think in the end it's all up to the seller. I have heard horror stories about MO, Paypal, Personal Checks....and basically, if a seller wants to scam you...they will. It all depends on wether or not you 'fall' for it. When I was younger, my parents house got robbed while no one was home. When we got home and called the police...they basically said, you can get any type of security you want...but if the robber wants to get it....he WILL get in. :(

...although he did say the best security is a dog... :gj:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I do not like paypal one bit!!!

We got ripped off big time about a year ago. In short, we paid through paypal, the seller delayed shipment, delayed shipment, delayed shipment, and we tried contacting him several times. He eventually stopped returning correspondance.

We opened a dispute with paypal, escalated it the next day, and waited. Paypal came back and asked us to send all our proof. We sent it, and we were told we had actually WON the dispute. BUT (big butt) they said we weren't going to be awarded our money back because the seller already took the money from the account.

So we were out a lot of money, no snake, the seller's account was frozen but he had our money, and we were SOL.

We opened a fraud claim with our credit card company and were eventually given back all of our money. Although PayPal did send an email telling us to close our fraud claim with Visa because it was against their TOS, but screw that. We got our money back in the end.

I hate Paypal. It does NOT offer protection. I'd rather go with checks or money orders any day.

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connie.....it might be helpful to the rest of us to know the seller is that tried to rip you off,is there a BOI post about it ?

i've called paypal numerous times,they don't get involved in live animal transactions.

the safest money orders are POSTAL money orders,the sender can not cancel payment as with other types of money orders.if the shipper does not send the goods he/she has commited mail fraud.

in the end the buyer assumes the most risk which can't be elimated but can be minimized by doing your homework,BOI,referances etc. have fun !

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Originally Posted by twh

connie.....it might be helpful to the rest of us to know the seller is that tried to rip you off,is there a BOI post about it ?

i've called paypal numerous times,they don't get involved in live animal transactions.

the safest money orders are POSTAL money orders,the sender can not cancel payment as with other types of money orders.if the shipper does not send the goods he/she has commited mail fraud.

in the end the buyer assumes the most risk which can't be elimated but can be minimized by doing your homework,BOI,referances etc. have fun !

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Yea, he has his own BOI thread and one here too. Sylas Crawford of Appalachian Exotics... Apparently he sold us the same snake that he sold to at least 5 other people at the same time. I dont know how many got their money back either.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Yea, he has his own BOI thread and one here too. Sylas Crawford of Appalachian Exotics... Apparently he sold us the same snake that he sold to at least 5 other people at the same time. I dont know how many got their money back either.

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thanks for the info,i'm glad you got your money back.

Well I am no longer sure about PayPal. I used to use to think they were secure, but I now have a claim in and from what I am reading they may not do anything. I think my case is a little different though as I have been trying to cancel the order before the seller ships and I have a responce in an E-mail asking for my refund, but he doesn't say anything about giving it. I also put a claim in with the credit card I used. Hopefully this will add leverage and make sure I get my money back.

I just have one question if the seller ships, and Fed-ex drops it off with no one home here and snakes are actually in it how does it all pan out. If the credit card company and PayPal find in my favor am I still liable to ship the snakes back even though I have asked to have the order cancelled 4 days before he shipped it and have proof that he has seen that request.

Notes: Seller is Michael Shaak of dragonmasterexotics and midwestrattery. A BOI is going on with myself and another person who had issues on the Fauna Board of Review.

With any credit card you can place an item in dispute and the item will be taken off the bill until the matter gets settled one way or another. If you did not receive an item that was charged on a credit card the law says that you do not have to pay for it. If you use a credit card through Paypal and Paypal refuses to help you, that is no problem. Paypal is just a middleman. Call the issuer of the credit card and place the sale in dispute. I have done this. The issuer of the credit must put it in dispute at your say so and it doesn't matter what Paypal says. Bottom line is always use credit cards and you will have legal rights. If you use personal checks, debit cards , money orders or cash you are essentially without any leverage if the seller is not willing to cooperate with you.

Very good post! It would have really been bad if we had used a checking account with Paypal.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I do not like paypal one bit!!!

We got ripped off big time about a year ago. In short, we paid through paypal, the seller delayed shipment, delayed shipment, delayed shipment, and we tried contacting him several times. He eventually stopped returning correspondance.

We opened a dispute with paypal, escalated it the next day, and waited. Paypal came back and asked us to send all our proof. We sent it, and we were told we had actually WON the dispute. BUT (big butt) they said we weren't going to be awarded our money back because the seller already took the money from the account.

So we were out a lot of money, no snake, the seller's account was frozen but he had our money, and we were SOL.

We opened a fraud claim with our credit card company and were eventually given back all of our money. Although PayPal did send an email telling us to close our fraud claim with Visa because it was against their TOS, but screw that. We got our money back in the end.

I hate Paypal. It does NOT offer protection. I'd rather go with checks or money orders any day.

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As with buying from any seller, the only protection you can hope for is that you have picked a reputable seller. Paypal has a terrible claim process and virtually NO customer service. I spent 2 hours on hold once trying to speak to an actual person.

JonV

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Originally Posted by Jerhart

...I think in the end it's all up to the seller. I have heard horror stories about MO, Paypal, Personal Checks....and basically, if a seller wants to scam you...they will.

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I couldn't have put it any better.

JonV

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Originally Posted by ChicaPiton519

Im currently dealing with a possible buyer that will only use PayPal, but my dad does not have a PayPal, causing a little bit of trouble... he wont even do a cashier check

my dad owns his own refuse truck parts biz, and has a credit card machine, but anything i sell with that i have to ad to the price to cover fee's... i have done that, and i have also done personal checks, and am willing to do cashier checks...

im hoping that this potential buyer will change his mind, seeing as i have no acces to paypal... :/

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Would this buyer be from reptilegeeks.com and his user name be davidsballpythons LOL . I'll tray to get the money on the 26th. Iv never sent a money order and don't want to get scamed.

I have found the best protection is paying via CC (paypal or other)

I actually did get scammed and made a 2k payment yet never received shipment or anything. Never heard from them again.

I filed with paypal, they said I won the case but the funds were already gone (worthless IMO). Then I filed a chargeback on my CC. I received a temp credit for the amount and within a month had a statement from the CC that said the credit was permenant and I was not at fault.

I do my research on the seller (references and/or Inqueries/feedback online) and then make sure to pay by CC.

Hope that helps :)