Comments on: Ask the cubicle expat: Should I use PayPal to get paid? http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/ Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:18:48 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: One-Girl Factory | A freelancing blog http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-60063 One-Girl Factory | A freelancing blog Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:11:05 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-60063 [...] time now, and haven’t encountered any problems *touch wood*, but Michelle Goodman’s post got me thinking, and wondering why using PayPal should even be questioned. She had good reason to [...] [...] time now, and haven’t encountered any problems *touch wood*, but Michelle Goodman’s post got me thinking, and wondering why using PayPal should even be questioned. She had good reason to [...]

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-26111 Michelle Goodman Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:59:31 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-26111 thanks for weighing in with these warnings. that's my biggest fear. i do like the idea of using an empty checking account just for paypal, if you decide to go that route. thanks for weighing in with these warnings. that’s my biggest fear. i do like the idea of using an empty checking account just for paypal, if you decide to go that route.

]]> By: amypalko http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-26102 amypalko Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:54:54 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-26102 My paypal account was also hacked into a couple of weeks ago. I didn't lose as much as Amy Derby did, thank goodness, but I have had my faith in their system knocked. I don't think I'll continue to do business through them. When it works, it's great - extremely convenient. I just don't trust them with my card details any more. My paypal account was also hacked into a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t lose as much as Amy Derby did, thank goodness, but I have had my faith in their system knocked. I don’t think I’ll continue to do business through them. When it works, it’s great – extremely convenient. I just don’t trust them with my card details any more.

]]> By: Chryselle http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-26087 Chryselle Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:26:11 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-26087 Just to share something for the other side: Amy Derby has had a harrowing experience with Pay Pal recently. Here's the link: http://www.write-from-home.com/2008/01/do-you-trust-paypal-i-no-longer-do.html or a shorter version: http://tinyurl.com/ysmfpo Just to share something for the other side: Amy Derby has had a harrowing experience with Pay Pal recently.

Here’s the link:
http://www.write-from-home.com/2008/01/do-you-trust-paypal-i-no-longer-do.html

or a shorter version:
http://tinyurl.com/ysmfpo

]]> By: Michelle Goodman http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-26038 Michelle Goodman Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:01:43 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-26038 it's official. i am a luddite. even my mom is more tech savvy than me. ;) btw, before any gives out their bank routing info to a client (for direct deposit payments), i'd get references and do some detective work with other freelancers to ensure that the client's on the up and up. i only give my routing number to reputable companies i know have a stable of satisfied freelancers, and i certainly wouldn't give it to an individual that called me out of the blue. it’s official. i am a luddite. even my mom is more tech savvy than me. ;)

btw, before any gives out their bank routing info to a client (for direct deposit payments), i’d get references and do some detective work with other freelancers to ensure that the client’s on the up and up. i only give my routing number to reputable companies i know have a stable of satisfied freelancers, and i certainly wouldn’t give it to an individual that called me out of the blue.

]]> By: Rhebe (Michelle's mom) http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-26011 Rhebe (Michelle's mom) Tue, 22 Jan 2008 04:42:04 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-26011 I have been using the PayPal personal account for a year to receive payment from a freelance client monthly. There are no fees for that account and you can request money with a PayPal bill from another PayPal account. As soon as I receive an email that payment is made, I sign on and do an electronic funds transfer to my bank account. The money is there within two days. I have had no problems. I have been using the PayPal personal account for a year to receive payment from a freelance client monthly. There are no fees for that account and you can request money with a PayPal bill from another PayPal account. As soon as I receive an email that payment is made, I sign on and do an electronic funds transfer to my bank account. The money is there within two days. I have had no problems.

]]> By: boohoo http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-25993 boohoo Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:46:59 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-25993 I actually use paypal for ebay and have done so for the last 6 years. From what I know paypal is NOT A BANK and arbitrarily has frozen accounts with tens of thousand of dollars in them. These are not heresay, but actual documented accounts sometimes ending in lawsuit settlements. Some people who make their living off ebay treated paypal as a business-banking device, only to find out that thier funds were frozen for any number of reasons (sometimes over many months). Also since paypal is NOT A BANK there were no standard policies to undo a mistake made by paypal (banks aren't perfect, but there are polices to protect bank consumers). Things have improved over the years, but paypal is still not a bank and I would treat it as such. I would feel extremely uncomfortable keeping funds in my paypal account for any long period of time. Also FYI, I do have a paypal check card, but I never leave more money in there than I can stand to lose at any given time. I actually use paypal for ebay and have done so for the last 6 years. From what I know paypal is NOT A BANK and arbitrarily has frozen accounts with tens of thousand of dollars in them. These are not heresay, but actual documented accounts sometimes ending in lawsuit settlements. Some people who make their living off ebay treated paypal as a business-banking device, only to find out that thier funds were frozen for any number of reasons (sometimes over many months). Also since paypal is NOT A BANK there were no standard policies to undo a mistake made by paypal (banks aren’t perfect, but there are polices to protect bank consumers). Things have improved over the years, but paypal is still not a bank and I would treat it as such. I would feel extremely uncomfortable keeping funds in my paypal account for any long period of time. Also FYI, I do have a paypal check card, but I never leave more money in there than I can stand to lose at any given time.

]]> By: Thursday http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-25983 Thursday Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:11:16 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-25983 I've actually run into many clients who refuse to use anything but PayPal! They're often willing to pay for the convenience. PayPal does take a cut of any funds sent through it, but that fee is tax deductible. Furthermore, it can be a great reason to raise your rates, and make sure your clients are paying you what you deserve. Some freelancers charge a convenience fee to clients using PayPal — it's typically a little more than the expected fee. Unfortunately, in this day and age, security must be a concern. However, I'd like to note that a freelancer runs just as many risks using other methods — an unethical individual can do a surprising amount of harm with the information needed for direct deposit. No matter which method of payment you prefer, there are still precautions you must take. PayPal is no worse than other options in this respect. I’ve actually run into many clients who refuse to use anything but PayPal! They’re often willing to pay for the convenience.

PayPal does take a cut of any funds sent through it, but that fee is tax deductible. Furthermore, it can be a great reason to raise your rates, and make sure your clients are paying you what you deserve. Some freelancers charge a convenience fee to clients using PayPal — it’s typically a little more than the expected fee.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, security must be a concern. However, I’d like to note that a freelancer runs just as many risks using other methods — an unethical individual can do a surprising amount of harm with the information needed for direct deposit. No matter which method of payment you prefer, there are still precautions you must take. PayPal is no worse than other options in this respect.

]]> By: a girl named Rock. http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/comment-page-1/#comment-25982 a girl named Rock. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:05:18 +0000 http://www.anti9to5guide.com/2008/01/21/ask-the-cubicle-expat-should-i-use-paypal-to-get-paid/#comment-25982 I have to disagree. I am a freelance graphic designer and web developer. I have been freelancing for awhile and my preferred form of payment is via PayPal. But then again, I work in technology and have been with PayPal for at least 8 years (the company was founded in 1998). I haven't had any negative experiences with my accounts, in fact, I feel more secure using PayPal than giving out my bank account for clients to make direct deposits. I would recommend (like you mentioned above) everyone find what works best for them. PayPal is a acquired taste. I have to disagree. I am a freelance graphic designer and web developer. I have been freelancing for awhile and my preferred form of payment is via PayPal.

But then again, I work in technology and have been with PayPal for at least 8 years (the company was founded in 1998). I haven’t had any negative experiences with my accounts, in fact, I feel more secure using PayPal than giving out my bank account for clients to make direct deposits.

I would recommend (like you mentioned above) everyone find what works best for them. PayPal is a acquired taste.

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