Awesome eBay moment

[GWarner]

Best way to handle with Paypal.

Setup a separate bank account, and link that one to your account.

That would be an ideal solution and not just for PayPal but for any online transactions that involve giving out your bank account or debit card information.

The problem for me is with my Vision handicap limiting my mobility, I have to be choosy about the services I use, making sure they are conveniently accessible and my bank does charge a fee for checking unless you meet certain requirements such as a direct deposit or a minimum balance or an automatic transfer from checking to savings to waive the savings account fees.

USAA bank sounds interesting but they say that you have to qualify for mobile or PC deposits of checks or go to a UPS store. While I lived in downtown Chicago, there was a UPS store within easy walking distance. But now that I'm out in the suburbs, the closest UPS store is more than a mile away in an area with no pedestrian facilities between where I live and the UPS store.

So what I do is, I don't link my bank account to PayPal and just use my PayPal debit card to access the funds in my PayPal account. After a set of auctions close and have been paid for and shipped, I pay off eBay. The use an ATM to take as much out of my PayPal account as I can leaving $20 or less in it. Depending on the amount, I'll deposit most of the cash into my checking account, then drain the rest of what's in PayPal when I make small purchases.

Yeah, it's a bit of a pain but it minimizes the damage PayPal can do when they decide to "throw a temper tantrum."

I'd file a complaint with eBay, there's no excuse for that kind of crap

It was all verbal over the phone, so there's no proof.

Your choice, but me? I'd still file a complaint. You're likely not the first person he's pulled this kind of crap on and you likely won't be the last. Even if they can't do anything now, I'd suspect a harrassment problem like that would go in his history and if he gets enough similar complaints, eBay would likely suspend his account.

[Kuron]

And if you don't sign up with it, you can't sell on eBay. Should be illegal, actually.

This is because PayPal was bought by eBay. eBay used to be very problematic for payments and such. PayPal also used to be very problematic for buyers. Since eBay bought PayPal, payments are less of an issue for buyers and PayPal is a lot more reputable than it was before eBay bought them.

[Tenaja]

Yes, now 100% of the risk is held by the sellers. My brother-in-law sent an ipod to an ebay buyer, who claimed to never have received it, so his money was stolen out of his account by paypal. Paypal only took the side of the lying "buyer," despite having a signed receipt that they received it.

[Zach]

USAA bank sounds interesting but they say that you have to qualify for mobile or PC deposits of checks or go to a UPS store. While I lived in downtown Chicago, there was a UPS store within easy walking distance. But now that I'm out in the suburbs, the closest UPS store is more than a mile away in an area with no pedestrian facilities between where I live and the UPS store.

As far as I know the qualification is having a credit card or some such, so that they still have a way of getting their money if someone tries to defraud them (because when we scan checks at home and deposit online, that money is instantly available to us). I don't have a credit card (only my USAA Debit Mastercard, which is linked to my bank account, so kind of useless as a qualifier). so I don't know the detailed specifics about the qualifications, but according to my brother/parents you just have to have a credit card or some such.

Although I should also point out, USAA is not generally a "For the public" bank. It is an exclusive institution for Military Families and their relatives, but once you get into the system, anyone in your family can get an account and member number by opening a join account with you. Then they can open their own new accounts, and future spouses/children etc are eligible.

If you or anyone else are an active/retired service member I would highly recommend looking into USAA if you don't already bank with them. They are the only bank I've ever done business with and it has always been pleasant. Their fraud department is top notch as well, and I say that from personal experience.

[GWarner]

Well, that leaves me out as far as USAA goes, no one in my family is in active millitary service and I don't have (or want) any credit cards.

I'll just keep doing things the way I have been and keep my current bank, they allow mobile deposits without requiring a credit card.

I'm not that active on eBay so I don't really need continous PayPal protection such as a second bank account.

[Kuron]

If you or anyone else are an active/retired service member I would highly recommend looking into USAA

I will look into them. I don't have a bank account. I still use a credit union which is located in California which is not very convenient when I live in Maryland.

[Zach]

I grew up in Maryland. Lived there from 1988 to 2002

We've always had USAA, my dad got it through his dad who was in the military. The bank itself is in Texas but even when you mail a check in for deposit, its pretty fast for USPS. 3 or 4 days if you are lucky. But then with being able to scan & deposit at home, if you can get that it would be great for you.

USAA also offers other services, such as Credit, Home & Car Insurance, Renters Insurance, Life Insurance and the usual bank loans / mortgages etc. Mutual Funds with no sales fees, College Savings plans. A true umbrella provider I guess. No Fees for Mobile banking, you can setup online bill pay too (don't know how that works but I imagine only certain things can be paid that way).
I think you will like them if you give them a try.

http://www.usaa.com is the web site for anyone who is interested and eligible to join.

edit: I have seen unconfirmed reports online that USAA has opened some service like checking accounts, to the general public.. It may be worth trying to open an account online or calling them, if anyone is interested. It's a fair good bank. They do seem to have a "share with your friends and family" link on the web site, as if we can invite people to become members... so I'm not sure what the exact requirements are any more.

If anyone in the US is really interested, but not military, I can inquire on behalf with an email to double check what the requirements are. Just let me know.

[blueb]

Not quite big enough to help with the one obnoxious neighbor I have.

Haha... I'm guessing you've seen the movie "Fargo"

[GWarner]

I'm guessing you've seen the movie "Fargo"

No, but I did see an episode of 1,000 Ways to Die where an idiot was using a commercial mulcher, a branch got stuck so he grabbed it to try and pull it out, you can guess what happened as soon as the branch got unstuck....

[blueb]

I'm guessing you've seen the movie "Fargo"

No, but I did see an episode of 1,000 Ways to Die where an idiot was using a commercial mulcher, a branch got stuck so he grabbed it to try and pull it out, you can guess what happened as soon as the branch got unstuck....

I think I seen that one.

He definitely wasn't a PureBasic programmer, his last remark was... "OOP"

[GWarner]

He definitely wasn't a PureBasic programmer, his last remark was... "OOP"