Let me first say that I have been using PayPal without a single problem for well over three years now. I have heard of others having problems, but things always ran smoothly for me. This is unfortunately no longer the case. The account we use here at LQ is currently useless as there is a "pending" charge so the funds are being held. I'll spare the details but will say that this is being done for *no* valid reason. This has gone on unresolved now for well over a week. I am hoping this is settled soon, but if it's not I will have to remove paypal as an option for all things LQ.

--jeremy

I am having some problems as well from a transaction thru an ebay sale myself. They've totally screwed my account up and every time I've called, they have no real explanation of what is going on. So the negative account and them sending me notices won't do them any good til other transactions are taken care of, disputed, etc.

I'd actually vote to just get rid of them altogether, I've already lost faith in them.

The problem is then how do people contribute?

I havent got a credit card, but paypal took my debit card (switch) no problem.

I was going to contribute once I had some money but without paypal this becomes difficult.

I agree leonscape and am looking into this now. The whole situation is unfortunate. I have really been trying to work with paypal to resolve this, but they are being quite unreasonable at this point. As things continue I will keep everyone updated.

--jeremy

Yah not a good situation but I have heard that Paypal once got voted with the worst Customer Service one year. Maybe they'll be nominated again. I'm closing my account once I get mine settled, I can't deal with a service that puts in a dispute and resolves the dispute without even disputing it at all with the buyer, seller and credit card company the buyer used, but they insist to just go ahead and pay the credit card company which then makes my account negative... ughhh. Ok, I'm sorry I'm ranting on about Paypal...

Hopefully it all works out though.

I had problems trying to become a contributing member a while back and never got round to trying again. There are a few other alternatives that I use for other things. I'm not sure how they work in conjunction with the US etc:
http://www.natwestfastpay.com/
http://www.nochex.com/

Well I have reached someone at PayPal who was able to resolve my issue, but I have to say that the experience left my faith in PayPal severely damaged to say the least.

--jeremy

My personal experience with companies is that if a resolution is not reached through minimal effort on my part I go to the BBB of the state that the company is based out of. This has so far always had a positive result for me. I remeber pay-pal having a bad rating with the BBB and they worked hard to get back into good standing.

Irrespective of what ultimately is decided about PayPal, perhaps another option to consider would be to establish a PO Box for LQ, so interested people could mail in a check or money order. Just my 2 cents. -- J.W.

Yah, I've have an ongoing issue that I've seen others have posted that I can relate to in what is going on. I've decided to boycott ebay now too since they own paypal. Oh well, just my personal preference really at this point.

Wow, boycott Ebay entirely eh? That's quite a stance!

I'm glad you got the issues resolved Jeremy, I wouldn't have a problem giving my credit card to you directly, but other than that, I choose to use PayPal for nearly all my non-local $$ dealings.

Cool

I stopped using PayPal over a year ago as they wouldn't release funds into my bank account...

I do however, now use FastPay (a service offered by Nat West), and regardless of any reputation they may have regarding their High Street bank arm, FastPay has worked extremely well for me.

FastPay < one link...

I've also found that they are mega serious about security... for instance (and possibly to prepare you) it took a while to get set up due to all the checks I had to do to prove that I'm a law obiding citizen and that I am indeed the person that is going to use the account. But I look on that as a good thing, I'd rather not let someone else access my Dosh after all!!

Hope that helps???

Fastpay? Natwest? They seem to be strictly a UK operation. What can we American colonials do instead of PayPal?

I never have liked PayPal. If you ever start accepting regular credit cards over ssl, post it and I'll make a donation now and then. The idea of a year;s subscription doesn't appeal but $20 or $30 now and then would be OK.