PayPal membership to buy????

[keef]

We're looking for a sensible cc processing solution for us here in Hong Kong

We've been trying to establish whether our clients HAVE to be PP members before they can purchase from our site. We've been through all the PP "help" and checked our threads here an elsewhere - still the question is unanswered....

So, do our website buyers have to be PP members before they can use PP to pay us?

[getting a human response at PP seems impossible in less than a week or two, if ever?]

Does anyone know the truth?

Does anyone have any other suggestions that would not require membership?

Many thanks

[Phoenix]

Yes, in order to transfer money from one person to another via paypal, both people need to provide them with their checking (or other account) information. So both must be 'members'.

One thing that really surprises me is that Western Union hasn't jumped into this arena with both feet. Not only do they have a good, international reputation for transferring money from place to place, and person to person, but they already have the infrastructure.

Have you checked with the bank where you have your business accounts to see if they offer merchant banking? I know some pretty serious banking goes on in Hong Kong, I'd be very surprised if they don't offer it.

[keef]

Thanks for that.

Local HK banks got touchy during the dotcom boon. My bank - HSBC - were requesting a cash deposit of up to about US$65,000 equivalent for new members until about 6 mths ago!!

They also require high minimum turnover - so not straight-forward here really.

I'm popping into HSBC head office business centre tomorrow to inquire for a prospective client re merchant accounts - maybe things are changing??

It's time to do a review of local banks, as more would be clients want stores setup for them.

[Star75]

Hi, That's one of the things about paypal, buyer has to sign up. I found CCNOW.com which is similar to paypal, kinda pay as you go, with shopping cart, and no sign ups for buyers. I'm not sure on weather you can open an account outside of the U.S., though.

[keef]

Thanks Star75

We did look at ccnow, but with 11% of sales, plus monthly it is a bit on the high side directly compared to paypal.

The best option would be to turn over more money and get a proper merchant account, but not this week ;)

[iBold]

2checkout.com or paysystems is also another option...much easier to swallow there fee's :)
If you do pick one of the above, let me know how it works out..I'm debating right now which one to go with

[Jaiem]

You should accept PP as a payment option but not as your sole payment method. If I had to sign up for some payment service just to make my first pruchase from a company I'd go elsewhere.