PayPal

Confused over account types and international usage

[themoff]

Hi everyone,
I run a website for people interested in the french horn. It receives around 400 visitors a day, and within the french horn community, is a popular site. I have managed to get a couple of adverts for it, but would like to implement some form of simple donation system.

I am thinking that PayPal is a good option (this site uses it, and this site rocks! :)), but am confused about the type of account. I have been through their help, needed further info, so clicked on "I need more help" - it says "after creating an account..blah blah blah" - a lot of good if I don't know what kind of account to create!

So, can someone with experience of PayPal help me out. I am an individual running my website as a hobby. I am based in the UK, but envisage the majority of donations being from the US. I would certainly get less that $100 a month (if only!), which was one figure I saw when looking at the info. Basically, do I have to sign up for the premier account, or can I go with the personal one? Does it make any difference if I am receiving money in a different currency?

Cheers, Robin

[Brett_Tabke]

Ask them. They have answered every one of my questions indepth. I know their help system covers most of the basics, but I have had 3-4 come up in the last few days that they have answered in short order.

[bill]

Do I have to sign up for the premier account, or can I go with the personal one?

If you're not sure just get the personal account, and they'll prompt you to upgrade if you exceed its limits.

Does it make any difference if I am receiving money in a different currency?

Many of the non-US accounts work off a credit card if I recall. For them, it's the same as if you made a purchase on a web site outside your country. They explain the exchange rate calculation in their help files. I have no idea how the bank account integration works.

[Napoleon]

I too have been looking at PayPal recently... to accept payements for software on my sites (UK based).

What I am not sure of is why they need my credit card details. I am collecting customer fees, for which PayPal will take a percentage... why do they need my card for that?

Generally, could someone comment on whether it is the quick and easy way to collect credit card payments that it seems? It certainly looks the tab - but am I missing something?

[Brett_Tabke]

I had a client last year that has used them religiously for almost a year. It is what convinced me they were ok to use.

I don't think they need your cc # for everything. If you have a bank account, you can just do the direct deposit verification thing. When dealing with money and credit cards, they have to be careful - the liabilities would be as bad as being a doctor. They are the messenger, not the message (and we know how history has treated the messenger)

[Napoleon]

Thanks Brett... I think I'll give it a roll.