Making payments for customers - Paypal

Can I use Paypal in this way?

[nickyo]

I will probably be using Paypal for my online store, however many of my orders will taken over the phone.

I have no other credit card processing facility, so is it possible to create the customer's paypal account for them?

I'm sure many of my customers don't want the hassle of the online signup etc etc. If they provided me with all the relevant information over the phone: card number, address etc - can I create the account and make payment for them?

Thanks in advance.

[gsx]

Welcome, you need a merchant account to process the cards from over the phone. Setting up a PayPal account under someone else's name could be classed as fraud. Plus, you may need to know the four digit code sent to them on their statement to create the account.

[TallTroll]

Welcome to WebMasterWorld [webmasterworld.com]

I think you would have to establish a LOT of credibility before someone lets you do that

[nickyo]

Thanks for the info.

Looks like I'm gonna have to use some other alternative.

The trouble is that Paypal is not 100% easy to use and I don't want to lose any customers.

Perhaps if I get customers to call me first, then explain the paypal process it will prevent any 'shopping cart abandonments'?

My items have a fairly high price, about $1000 upwards, so it will probably be better speaking to them first. Establish the credibility.

What do you think?

[Jenstar]

If you are looking at items with a price tag of $1000 or higher, definitely look into using a merchant account instead, especially one that has some sort of fraud prevention in place for your protection. There are some online that allow you to input a customer's credit card number.

As gsx said, it does go against PayPal's TOS to open a PayPal account for someone else, even if you have their name, card number, and permission.