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Leamington, Ont.

I'm not sure if it's been done, but I haven't seen it yet. I think it might a great idea if club auctions accepted paypal. See, my wife just dosen't get this whole AG 'thing', so it would be alot easier to use paypal and deal with it later! My theory is that, its easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. ;)

Just a thought for next year. I'm sure that I'm not alone on this one!?

1/7/2007 10:43:49 PM

Rexburg, Idaho (brianchristensenmd@gmail.com )

Pay Pal?? I get more spam mail from them then anyone else. Getting emails that want me to change my passwords, verify account information, contact them as soon as possible etc. etc. When I do what they say it was for no reason. I refuse to use them.

1/7/2007 11:50:50 PM

Netherlands

Brian, that was spam. I'd be out there checking my bank account now. It has nothing to do with PayPal. PayPal never asks for information through emails. They always go through their site. And watch out because some of the spammers have recreated a fake PayPal site they link you to.

1/8/2007 1:47:44 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Yeah, Brian, those emails are not actually from PayPal (which is owned by eBay). The process of tricking somebody into giving information (like bank accounts, etc.) is called "phishing". The only danger would be if you actually had a PayPal account and filled in all of your information. PayPal itsef is actaully pretty safe. You just have to watch out for imposters.

I personally love the idea of automating some of the aspects, including financial aspects, of auctions/raffles/sales. It gives people so many options to get money to a club (including taking credit cards without needing a seperate merchant account with Visa or Mastercard etc.).

Now that I think of it, I think that I did see one site, maybe for the New York club, that used Paypal for selling DVDs and maybe books. But, I don't know about seeds or memberships.

1/8/2007 3:02:43 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

When it comes to getting money for seeds,raffles,auctions etc. sent to North America I only partake if I can use paypal or a credit card its so much more convenient than a special trip to the bank.

1/8/2007 3:14:52 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

The NY club Did use paypal one year at our auctions and we did use it to sell the DVD's.
Tom

1/8/2007 5:36:44 AM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

The IGPGA auction will accept credit cards at our auction 1-27. The seed list is posted on the auction/raffle message board

1/8/2007 8:42:04 AM

Indiana

Also remember that these auctions are for the club, and if you use paypal, it will be taking a few percent out of the funds. I know a check is a little more of a hastle, but especially if you have a large purchase, take the time and save them the fees. This goes the same for credit cards as well. 3% on $3000 is 90 dollars. These are funds that could go directly to a club that is struggling to meet their prize schedule


Tom

1/8/2007 10:26:47 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Yeah AXC, I didn't even think of that.

Paypal also allows users to pay in a number of different currencies. Of course, Paypal skims a bit off the top in the conversion. But, it is more convenient than doing it most other ways.

1/8/2007 11:16:10 AM

Yes all of these things take a % from the club,,,but with the auction totals these days I would think that the "convenience" of paypal and the fact that the club receives the funds instantly there is a benefit for both the buyers and the sellers.
Money orders are assured funds,,but they require purchasing and mailing. Checks have to be held for the customary 2 weeks for clearing,,,credit cards require a secure party to accept them,,,just another option for the clubs to consider IMO. I for one would make use of it.

1/8/2007 11:21:34 AM

Sioux Falls, SD garyboer@dakotalink.com

crammed is right about the spoof Paypal e-mails
they look real, but don't come from Paypal
and you can get those without joining Paypal

i use Paypal but don't leave it set up out of bank account
i do the option where i give paypal a credit card#
i have to authorize each Paypal purchase
but since i dont do it much, i feel safer

money orders aren't free either

a club could offer the choice of using Paypal +3%
or go drive to bank, buy money order, buy stamp, envelope, etc.

i'd prefer Paypal, but choice is nice

1/8/2007 12:23:50 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

We tried usinbg PayPal for the CT GS&PGA seed auction a couple years ago. We did get hit with fees that were "tolerable". But then I tried buying something on eBay last summer & the Pumpkins checking account got tapped by PayPal. They saw that the club & I use the same bank. The club had re-incorporated as a 501 so we closed out old account & with that PayPal suspended my personal acct. I pitched a fit & haven't used PayPal since. The bank made good but I never did get a body at PayPal. Between lax security & their inability to accept that I wanted to speak with real live people that have brains - we're finished.

1/8/2007 1:30:20 PM

ordinary,VA

Steve i hate paypal also.
good luck trying to talk to a real person at paypal.

1/8/2007 2:43:54 PM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Whether or not you use Paypal is more an issue of cash flow and convenience. You'll get the money right away and, hopefully, you'll get more of it if it's easier for people to pay.

Seeds don't really have any inherrant value other than the cost and labour of mailing. Memberships may be worth more if they pay for events or free services. But, for the most part, I think clubs would do fine if they just ate the 3% (or whatever it is) because it's only a thin slice coming off of a big profit (which, of course goes back into the club anyway).

1/8/2007 9:31:41 PM

Eugene, OR

I've been a member of PayPal for years and never had a problem with them. They even went as far as refunding my money on an item I purchased on Ebay when the seller refused to make it right. Pretty darn good if you ask me. We used PayPal last year for the PGVG auction and it made it easy for people to pay quickly with their cards. You're right about the fees though.....

I would be curious to hear how their security is not up to par though Steve?

1/11/2007 1:26:34 PM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

I definately think Pay pal should be used a lot more. Not that I'd be starting any seeds right after an auction. But It would be nice to get the seeds sooner and not have to wait 2 weeks for your check (if thats what you used) to clear and another 3-5 days for your seeds to arrive.

1/12/2007 5:02:28 AM

Roselle, IL GJGEM@sbcglobal.net

With the credit card orders, I send them out on the 29th. The Monday after the auction

1/12/2007 8:42:25 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

It was a very strange situation Brian. I had never had a problem either untik this one.


I logged into PayPal & set up our clubs checking acct to receive payments at the buyers request.
It worked fine.
A year later we dissolved the club's first letters of incorporation, closed the acct and reopened everything anew as a "Not for Profit" (501). We set up a new checking acct at the same bank.
Six months later I decide to use my own PayPal acct to purchase an item on eBay for $90.
The seller sends me an email that PayPal is holding up my payment but he's OK with that since it happens all the time. (???) I email PayPal.
My wife & I had changed our accounts to a degree (not closed - just modified) but PayPal acknowledges the CORRECT account number so I breathe easy.
My eBay purchase arrives.
A month later our club's treasurer tells me that PayPal has bilked $90 out of the clubs checking account.
I check my personal accounbt & sure enough, no transaction for the $90.

Now I can't say for sure if it was the bank or PayPal that was more at fault.The club does use the same bank but a different branch. One thing is for sure. Neither party was EVER authorized to access the brand new club account. We were between auctions so there had been no need to have PayPal tied to the new account.

Like eBay spoofs, I've always forwarded weird emails on to PayPal. eBay alwasy responds to to the spoofs I have forwarded to their integrity people. PayPal has never responded to a spoof that I've sent them. I don't like that.

1/12/2007 6:00:09 PM