How would you feel...

[bsd13]

I don't blame them for not using paypal. I can attest to numerous nightmares involving them. How about signing up for "virtual terminal" to the tune of $30.00 a month and it taking them 6 months and the threat of legal action to cancel it?

Paypal is a scammers best friend. The burden of proof is ALWAYS on the seller of the product/services as far as paypal is concerned. Go look at paypalsucks.com and you can read story after story of people who have gotten screwed because they have used paypal.

As far as your concern about getting scammed... Sure, anything is possible but no one who is a scammer stays in business long. There was once a time when people bought things from mail order catalogs. They would send their check or money order and wait for 3 or 4 weeks while the item cleared and then wait an additional 2 or 3 weeks for it to be shipped to them. The idea that someone is more likely to scam someone because they only take check or money orders is absurd at best.

[rabernet]

A postal money order would offer you some protection as well, as it would be a federal crime if they stole your money (this is what I've been told and read on Fauna BOI in the past).

[Dryfter]

Check or Money order FTW. I would find another seller if they don't accept PayPal, check or MO.

[MarkS]

A lot of people just plain don't like the way paypal does business. and it's always the sellers prerogative on how they choose to accept payment. Postal money orders are quite secure and are a good protection for both parties. I've used that payment form many times in the past and have never had a problem.

[Montessa Python]

You actually can track a money order, and your bank often allows you to have a bank cashier's check once a day for free. You can track that as well.
Every money order has a set of numbers. ALso if you use a US postal money order you get more protection. You also have protection when you use a personal check.
You can track when it was cash and deposited in the bank, and when its returned to you, the cancelled check that is.
SO if a deal goes bad, you can show the breeder took the money, deposited it, and then did not give you what you paid for.
As long as you keep your money order OR cashier's check stub, you can get your money back, but it may be that you have to take the person to court. But you can track your money and have a way of getting it back.
Carol

[starmom]

I hate doing business by Pay-Pal and never balk at a breeder who chooses to do business via a different method.
That said, I always talk to the breeders over the phone before hand and also ask around the herp community for input regarding the person with whom I am thinking of doing business with...

[Patrick Long]

If paypal sux sooooo bad, why are hundreds of thousands still using it?

[bsd13]

If paypal sux sooooo bad, why are hundreds of thousands still using it?

Because they haven't gotten burned by them yet and they probably don't realize that paypal is not a bank and therefore affords absolutely no guarantees or protections.

[Patrick Long]

Eh, I know about ten people that have LOST money through Bank of America, but they still have MILLIONS of people who use them.

[bsd13]

Eh, I know about ten people that have LOST money through Bank of America, but they still have MILLIONS of people who use them.

And...?

I guess I'm having a hard time seeing your point, Patrick. There are those of us who had to use paypal for ourselves and learn the lessons the hardway because we're stupid and then there are those who learned it by watching others.

As far as the bank goes at least their are consumer protection and banking laws in place to help curb abuse. Sure sometimes bad things will happen and people will get burned with the law hardly noticing, but at least it's in place. Paypal doesn't have any of those protections and they aren't regulated by any laws.

But hey continue using them and best of luck. Hopefully nothing happens and you have nothing but good experiences with them. Just don't believe for a second that someone who chooses not to use their "services" is somehow a scam artists.