Originally Posted by Andy Dwolla is awesome. But then again, I've not had one single issue with Paypal in 9 years. I also use and love Square and Google Checkout.

Ditch PayPal. I too use Google Checkout and Square. Perfect combo.

Originally Posted by bloomphotog Ditch PayPal. I too use Google Checkout and Square. Perfect combo.

I "gots me" a square but have only used it for actual in person swiping ... how does it work with over the phone or verbal CC taking? are the rates higher, is there a delay of payment?

Originally Posted by Cowboydoug I "gots me" a square but have only used it for actual in person swiping ... how does it work with over the phone or verbal CC taking? are the rates higher, is there a delay of payment?

You just punch on the CC info and billing zip. No deposit delay. 3.5% fees.

Originally Posted by cmason I have been happy with Amazon Payments. I won't use Paypal at all. I have sold here on DGrin via Amazon Payments. Essentially, you use your Amazon account, the same one you use to buy on Amazon, but instead of buying something on Amazon, you simply send money to another Amazon account. Credit cards work fine. The seller can cash out, getting a check from Amazon, or keeping a credit on Amazon for use buying something. https://payments.amazon.com/sdui/sdui/personal/money As far as I know there is no ability to dispute a payment, but there isn't anywhere else either, and IMHO, the dispute aspect of Paypal is the biggest area of abuse and trouble. Oh and no cost to use it either.

Dispute capability is double edged. I've gotten some bad items on EBAY and was glad Paypal forced the seller to accept a return.

If buying via EBAY the buyer is protected very well; the seller not so much. There are many stories about a refund return being a brick in a box. For non-EBAY transactions; the protection is much weaker but it's still there.

Paypal is essentially an Escrow. Given the DOA return policy, a 21 day delay seems reasonable for larger transactions.

Personally; I buy enough online that I've never withdrawn anything from Paypal despite selling thousands in lenses and computers.

Thanks for all the helpful alternatives everyone!

Just as an update - I'm almost exclusively using Amazon payments now. No fees.

Originally Posted by zdizeez When I see an Ebay item I want I send the seller a message like this: Hi, I want to bid on your camera but want to know if you will accept a USPS money order as payment. I don't use Paypal anymore.

I would never, EVER accept a money order for payment from someone I don't know. (Did I say EVER?) Nothing personal about it -- it's just that there have been numerous scams using fake (but official-looking) USPS money orders.

I've used Paypal for about 10 years, but also have a Google Checkout account. Amazon always seems to be the "gold standard" so Amazon Payments might be a good one to consider. Andy touts Dwolla and I trust Andy, so that would also be a good one to look at.