[Leica] Paypal et al.

[bussbearm at aei.ca (Robert Beaudoin)]

Bonjour Didier and Marc,

  Well monsieur Didier I can be more specific (and not so diffuse ! ), there 
are thousands of complaints from Paypal users who swear they will never use 
that so-called service again.  Point no.1; they are not a bank and therefore 
not subjected to bank laws and rules, they can do whatever they want with 
your money and there is little you can do about it.  Point no. 2 once they 
have decided to freeze your account (for whatever reason they see fit, like 
so-called suspicion of fraudulent activity) you are stuck with trying to 
pleade your case with customer service.  When you finally reach someone you 
have to fax various personal documents like driver's license, utility bills, 
bank statements, etc and hope for the best.  Your money can disappear 
(chargeback I think it is called) or be frozen for weeks or months at their 
leisure.  By the way they have been convicted in the U.S. not certain what 
state.

  But my question was mostly related to the fact that one would accept only 
paypal and therefore lose money.  Of course Paypal is convenient but I 
suppose it's advantages have to be weighted against it's risks (for more on 
the topic of risks, there used to be a website called Paypal wall of shame, 
not sure if it's still on tho).  Using Paypal only and losing about 20% of 
the final value, on a 700$ item, seems like an odd business decision.

  In any case, thank you for your opinions.  Will continue this tread off 
list if you like.

  Best,

  Robert (Un chevalier sans blason)