greetings ladies

would like to know if anyone is familiar with 'paypal' ?

would like to add it to one of my sites, which is not really a business business, but would like a 'paid membership' ... do you just sign up as a business with your own personal name or what? it is kind of confusing & don't want to sign up for anything not needed, but want the convenience to be able to use it.

any suggestions or help would greatly be appreciated! thank you kindly.

c.l. mareydt

FitlySpoken,
When I set up my website a couple of years ago, I did extensive research on the payment options available. Most were very expensive and out of my budgetary reach. I was apprehensive about using Paypal because of some of my research, but ended up going with it because it was free and the only one financially feasible for me.

It works very well, and as far as I know, I've never had a problem with it. It's very convenient for anyone wanting to buy my book directly from me, and has been very convenient for ME because I can use Paypal to pay for things on other websites (especially eBay).

I can't remember the actual steps for signing up, but it must have been fairly easy for me to have been able to do it myself...I think the instructions are fairly easy to follow...I think you have to "attach" it to an existing bank account, which made me leary, but I just went to my bank and created a special account that I then used for my Paypal only (that way, there's no connection between Paypal and my other accounts). Was that clear as mud???LOL

Anyway, others here may be able to explain that part of it better than I, but as far as putting your mind at ease, I would definitely recommend using it on your website.

When I set up my account to receive payments, I had to give them my bank account number. I think the procedure was painless. Paypal then sent two or three deposits to my account (a couple of cents each) to make sure it was the correct information, and I had to verify that the money was there, and that was it.

Paypal is pretty easy to set up. Do you have a specific question about it?

The one thing to be careful about with Paypal is that you will get "scams" claiming to be Paypal and asking you to click on the link in their email to update your info. Don't click on the link. Always work through the web site, not through your email when it comes to Paypal.

Does this make sense?

Good advice Casey. I get 2 or 3 a week saying my PayPal account has been suspended. Uh huh...sure. If you want to get a warm fuzzy, there is a place on PayPal for you to report these emails. Just go to the Security Section.

I love PayPal. They have simplified my life!

JJ

Maybe I should try PayPal too, especially when getting payments from other countries for editing etc. Been using wire transfers and it is a long tedious process. Wonder if PayPal would be a better option? Hummm???

I would think so Chatty because it is usually instant. However I do not know their policy on international dealings.

JJ

thank you for all the great responses ... good information & helps.

wonder ... if I am not really a 'business' business site, nor a 'non profit' institute, but want to collect a membership fee ... can I still acquire a personal account or does it need to be a business account with paypal?

have checked all the info & faq on paypal, but it does not spell it out to me from what I can see.

thanks again everyone
boomer women speak - rocks!

Fitlyspoken, that's a good question. I wouldn't think it matters what you are collecting as long as you pay taxes on it, which doesn't involve Pay Pal. I think you would put the membership fee as your item. Does that make sense? I think that would be a business account.

If I remember right, it has something to do with the amount of money you will be collecting per month. I think there is a $500.00 limit if you have a personal account. I'm not really positive though. Does anyone else know?