Hi All!
This is a thread where I shamlessly traded upon our friends to do a little "market research"

We have accepted Credit cards since we opened online, back in 2000.
It's done over the phone.

As we've grown, Paypal has approached us many times.
I have resisted, becuase in my mind, buying directly from a company with one's credit card, seems safer than going thru Paypal.

OK- so that's the first question:
Is there a difference to folks buying between Paypal, and a direct transaction with the merchant?

There's quite a lot of things people buy online, directly with their credit card, using a " Secure Socket Layer" ( SSL)
Now, I'm no computer expert, but I know enough to tell you that the SSL allows for a secure way for people to purchase with a credit card online.

Common uses are Travel sites, merchandise sites- even government sites now allow payment for services by credit card using an SSL

In our case, the labor factor invloved when someone is purchasing an item in the typical range currently on the DBL site is not a factor.
BUT.... there are a few items we've carried, and sold HUNDREDS of where the labor does become an issue.
For example, we have smaller earrings, under $500.

The ability to have folks purchase these "lower priced" items without requiring us to stop what we're doing with a $20,000 fancy colored diamond might allow us to expand that entire category.....

Second Question:
If we are going to allow online transactions, would consumers prefer Paypal, or the ability to pùrchase direct[/color][/b]

I am very grateful to any and all that offer their thoughts


PS- this would also allow for the CC use of those wishing to use the classified ads.....

I hate Paypal. Period.

I prefer to use my CC or to transfer directly to the sellers account. If I buy from a trusted seller, like you, giving out my CC number doesn't bother me.

When I buy other things from other vendors, I think that doing it by their SSL is just fine by me.

I did use Paypal once, a year back, and I just hated all the passwords, I couldn't use one of my credit cards and so on. So if a seller wants me to use Paypal, I don't buy. Period!

Just my 2c, I would also go directly with the CC transaction over paypal.  I don't like using paypal either, I have heard of too many bad transactions as a seller from my brother-in-law.  He has lost alot of $ and products over the years through fraudulent charges with buyers using paypal-his stories of dealing with paypal were horrible, not much protection on the sellers end actually!!!  With my previous business, the $ amount per transaction was less with CC verses accepting paypal.  Good luck with the decision David

I have never used paypal so I can not speak to that end. However, I have gotten email alerts about paypal accounts getting compromised, CC's stolen, etc. It seems like a fairly common target for scammers.

I have used SSL directly through websites such as Amazon, airlines, etc and have not had any problems. If it were possible through this forum and not too much of a logistical/code hassle (we HAVE to think about WM) then I would prefer SSL.

I've been watching this thread with interest, wondering how everyone else would feel.  I too say bypass Paypal, even though I use them a lot and have not had any problems personally.  They do not offer much help in the event of a problem and they try to have people pay with their bank accounts rather than CCs if they can.  I'm sure that makes it a whole lot easier for them and a lot more profit in their pocket.  However, I believe it takes away one layer of security for the buyer - the ability to contact a credit card company and dispute the payment.  Plus I think they are awfully expensive - not that I know how expensive regular CC payments are.

I say go down the SSL route if it's practical.

Excellent point.

Safe trip, David!

Have a safe trip!!!

Again.. sorry... I am seriously BOT (behind on threads) around here.

I suppose I am in the minority because I rather like Paypal. I've not had any major issues with them (knock wook) and I've been using them for many years now.

I have heard of horror stories though, and I suppose I've just been lucky.

I'm not fond of thier fees (both to the buyer and the seller), but it is an excellent choice for people who are not "real" businesses and do not have "real" merchant accounts. It provides at least a way for them to take credit cards as a payment where they otherwise would not.

However.. since we're talking about DBL specifically, then I would PREFER to deal directly with them using my credit card.  Just seems silly to stick a middle man in there (Paypal) if you don't have to.

I too have had great luck with PayPal, as a buyer and "PowerSeller" on eBay.   I too have heard the HORROR stories from sellers, PayPal seems to "favor the buyers" from what I have heard!  If someone choses PayPal, basically the fees a seller pays eBay/PayPay is doubled which really adds up, I prefer MO or cashiers check,  I can tell you though, out of ALL my auctions since October (just went back 6 months) only 1 buyer did not use PayPal...this was shocking to me.    I guess the buyers feel more protected b/c of their credit card "protection" and it really is much MUCH more convenient.  Granted my auctions are not big ticket items, they range from $10 to only $2000.  I am just an individual who sells our "extra stuff" we no longer use or want, not a business at ALL!    Just my 2 cents about PayPal.   

Safe trip David! We miss you!!!

I would prefer to give a trusted merchant my CC rather than use paypal.  I have no idea how much someone has to fork over for CC fees, but I would imagine they're less than PayPal?

I never had problems either *knock on wood* but I'm for CC! David has my CC and I trust him completely! Wait... The fact that he has my cc is not good as I can just say "DAVID CHARGE IT!" lol kidding!

NNNNOOOOOOOOOO!  Urg! 

I am going to be in the minority here, but I generally like paypal.  I have yet to have bad experience using them for buying or selling (poopoopoo).  The one issue, of course, is the middleman fees.  My thought is, if this is possible, that DBL may want to use both options.  I think that first-time DBL buyers may feel a little less wary, as buying expensive items over the internet from a company you have never "met" before can be scary.  Those of us who know and love David and the gang would be encouraged to still use good old SSL to lower his seller fees.  Does that make sense?  Does this make more work for you guys?