PayPal Query

[countrykid]

I have sold a couple of items on Ebay, to buyers in Italy and America. Payment as always with me, was via Paypal. I have received the usual confirmation email from PP saying payment has been made by the buyer, but notice it says "to receive this payment, you will need to upgrade to a Premier or Business Account. I am just off to work, so have no time to look into what this means, but feel a bit reluctant to post the items until I am sure. But equally, I don't want my purchasers to have to wait whilst I learn more. All my previous items have been sold to UK buyers so this has never cropped up before. Can anyone advise why I need to upgrade and what is involved. I will check my emails at work later. Thanks

[Cakeboy]

You need to have a Premier account to accept payment from other people who are using a debit or credit card. If you've sold stuff before and received payment through PayPal , then you've got lucky and the people paying you have had funds in their PayPal accounts - this means PayPal class it as a transfer and you don't need to upgrade.

The fact it's an international transaction has probably been picked up and as such you will need to upgrade. It's not the most difficult process - they will take two small amounts of less than �1 off the card you choose to link to the account to verify it - you get them back so don't worry.

The downside is that they start charging you to receive payments through PP - every time they take any payment under �1500 they charge you 3.4% + 20p. Over �1500 and the percentage rate reduces.

To upgrade, you'll need to log into your account and follow the instructions - I'm not sure exactly where you'll find them as I upgraded ages ago and can't remember.

HTH

[scaniavabis]

this happened to my daughter. If you upgrade and the buyer funds his paypal payment by credit card rather than by bank account YOU will have to pay a fee to the credit card company which PayPal will deduct from your funds. Don't do it, find another way!

[Cakeboy]

No you don't - you pay the standard PP fee regardless of whether the buyer funds it with a debit card or a credit card or monkey buttons.

PP will however charge you more for accepting and converting foreign currency - ie someone paying you in dollars will give you slightly less in pounds than if you were paid in pounds. Their exchange rate is pretty shoddy, but as it's the only way to do it and cheaper and a lot quicker than cashing money orders it's not too bad.

If you plan on selling abroad a lot, then factor that into your P&P charges

[countrykid]

Many thanks to you both for your fast and helpful replies. I will check oiut upgrading my account later today, and will hold off posting until I am clear about what I am doing.

Kind regards

[scaniavabis]

I can assure you countrykid that if you upgrade and the buyer funds by bank account you won't pay and if they pay with credit card you will pay. This is a fact, we have had this problem and speak from experience.

[countrykid]

Thanks for that scaniavabis. Much appreciated. I will email the buyers to find out how they have paid. I am learning from experience!

Kind regards