I have a paypal account, and list paypal as an option for paying on my website. I also take all credit cards, and have not done huge volumes with paypal, so I'm not sure if there are limits. I'm sure it says so on their site. A lot of my overseas customers use paypal because then there's no worries about money conversion.

I've been using paypal for 5 years I think. My sales increased when I started using it. They increased again when I offered an alternative to paypal, too.

Paypal has had problems in the past. You'll find lots of complaints on it. When I have a complaint I call right away. So far, so good. I'm able to download the paypal files and then upload them into Quickbooks Pro. Makes a check register of the items. Then I have to fix the income/expense fields, add customer info.


2Co is the alternative I currently use (I'm researching regular merchant accounts, too) Been using that for 3 or 4 years. They upgraded it and did something to the way the accounting was done. IMO it's a pain in the rear to balance and it does cost more to use. However, there are many -- including companies who will not use paypal. So it's an alternative.

Depending on the amount of sales you have, paypal and 2co are good alternatives to use. My shopping cart allows people to decide which way they want to pay me.

I'm pretty sure that on www.TheResourceQueen.com I have a bunch of merchant account recomendations, too.

And while you're doing your research on this topic ladies, make sure you check out Maria's www.TheResourceQueen.com site. She has some great info there!

JJ

Thanks everyone ... for all the replies & feedback.

I took the plunge ... and added paypal to my site. I am not looking to make my fortune from the fees collected on the memberships, but am really trying to 'draw' the serious authors for the benefit of all.

still have a long ways to go! work Cinderella, work!

Catherine

FitlySpoken, I am so embarrassed to have to ask this but it is driving me nuts. What is your signature picture of here, pretty blue, but I have tried and tried to figure out what it is, HELP!

It's clouds, isn't it?

Yea! You get the prize Queen JJ !!**!!

Yes, it is clouds ... with the sun starting to break through.

It is a photo of me ... naw ... just kiddin' but you know what I mean. That is how I feel most the time. Like the light is just breaking around me.

Now I'll get all melancholy ... and have to think on that for awhile.

Selah
Catherine

Using Paypal on my site at 'author co-op' now for memberships.

Was easy to set up ... except I still have not verified my account yet.

That means the fee will be reversed back to the member. Which, if I don't verify, the refund would be a big surprise to them. And, at least I would also know that these members are serious enough to pay a fee to be included in author co-op.

Will have to see what transpires. But, I just do not like putting banking info on the web ... or setting up a separate account for the transactions. I wish it could just stay as a credit & then I could use that accumulated money to make transactions on the web from that amount held by Paypal. Now, that I could see. Perhaps I can get in contact with them & find out.

Mmmmh ... more work Cinderella ...
Catherine

Catherine,
Have you ever heard that song, "I can see clearly now" by Johnny Nash? I would love to make that my mid-life theme song. When I saw your clouds, I thought of this song. It really says it all!

Hey, wait a minute. JJ isn't the only one who knew what your photo was. I knew too! It's beautiful. Glad the sun is shining around and through you Catherine.