after reading some horror stories how would you suggest preventing getting screwed by Paypal or Ebay?

[Stealth1024]

Alright, my primary concern is that although I don't keep more than a few dollars sitting around in my paypal account, my account is verified with a credit card. Is this dangerous? Is there anyway they could draw money from this card without permission (perhaps based on supposed claims I didn't pay someone, etc.)?

On Ebay I usually use their built in checkout process but for my last purchase, the seller demanded paypal and paypal only... this made me a little suspicious but I went ahead with it anyway, I'm still waiting for the product. Is this common practice on Ebay?

 

[Russ]

<< Is there anyway they could draw money from this card without permission >>



Yes.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Stealth1024]

uh oh... so what should I do?

I never noticed a button to un-add a credit card to my paypal account..

without it though I can't even send any money, even if I already have some in my account! That really sucks...

 

[Jfur]

<< uh oh... so what should I do?

I never noticed a button to un-add a credit card to my paypal account..

without it though I can't even send any money, even if I already have some in my account! That really sucks... >>



Well, obvously if you elect to use Paypal there is no way to avoid that risk. So either stop using it or accept the risk. Just be sure you don't have a VISA debit card there -- or you will be sorry.

 

[ILikeSprite]

The easiest way to keep from getting screwed on ebay is don't buy from anyone with little or no feedback...........

 

[littlezipp]

<< uh oh... so what should I do?

I never noticed a button to un-add a credit card to my paypal account..

without it though I can't even send any money, even if I already have some in my account! That really sucks... >>

You can remove a card, just go to where it lists your cards, and remove it. Also stick to well established eBay traders. Let other people deal with the rookies.

 

[Ameesh]

i only use pay pal to pay my roomate the rent, i havent bought anything using it.

i dont use ebay cause its shady.

 

[vegetation]

I don't know what you mean. The auction post should have the payment terms spelled out clearly. I see few auctions, mostly from new users, that are ambigious as to what payment methods are accepted. I would just not bid if the payment terms are not listed. If the seller stated they accepted other forms of payment but later state otherwise after you already won it, just send a message to safeharbor as they have violated ebay policy.



<<
On Ebay I usually use their built in checkout process but for my last purchase, the seller demanded paypal and paypal only... this made me a little suspicious but I went ahead with it anyway, I'm still waiting for the product. Is this common practice on Ebay? >>

 

[Damon]

Hi Stealth1024,

"Is there anyway they could draw money from this card without permission (perhaps based on supposed claims I didn't pay someone, etc.)?"

All customer payments are initiated by the customer off of the web site. This requires the user logging in with their email address/password.

 

[Russ]

<< All customer payments are initiated by the customer off of the web site. This requires the user logging in with their email address/password. >>



Damon,

You still continue with these half answers. A lie by omission is still a lie. If he is subject to a chargeback, and no funds are in his Paypal account, you people WILL try to recover by taking the money from his credit card.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Damon]

Hi Russ,

You are parsing words. The customer's concern was about doing a transaction, not receiving a chargeback. Perhaps you should read a little bit more about the service before you start slinging around accusations.

Payments-
All payments are initiated by the customer (when they want to pay someone).

In addition, if the user had no chargeback liability (from a chargeback received), they would have no issues with their card at all. The only time a user would face having their card charged (if they didn't make a payment to someone) is if they had a liability for a debt to PayPal from a chargeback.

Frankly, you don't seem to have a really solid understanding of it at all.

 

[Jfur]

<< Hi Stealth1024,

"Is there anyway they could draw money from this card without permission (perhaps based on supposed claims I didn't pay someone, etc.)?"

All customer payments are initiated by the customer off of the web site. This requires the user logging in with their email address/password. >>



But given the apparently large amount of PayPal "hacking" and PayPal's lack of a method to *really* safeguard funds or deal with complaints of fraud (even theft of entire bank accounts) it is still a huge risk.

 

[Rio Rebel]

<< You are parsing words. The customer's concern was about doing a transaction, not receiving a chargeback. Perhaps you should read a little bit more about the service before you start slinging around accusations. >>



He is concerned about being charged without authorizing it. Don't try to redefine his concerns to avoid including your policy. You even admit it later, when you say:



<< The only time a user would face having their card charged (if they didn't make a payment to someone) is if they had a liability for a debt to PayPal from a chargeback. >>



This is EXACTLY what Russ was pointing out in his earlier post. You can call it "liability for a debt to PayPal" if you want, or you can more accurately call it "PayPal taking your money because they refuse to be liable for the other person's credit card debt." Either way, it's simple - it's PayPal charging this guy's card without explicit permission.

This is exactly why I don't use PayPal. You charge people for a service that does not deliver what they think it delivers - safe, guaranteed payment for items. You know and I know (though you'll never admit it) that most of your customers believe they are getting a level of security that your company doesn't provide.

 

[Stealth1024]

are there any good alternatives?