VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[iladelf]

Hello all,

Getting ready to set up Paypal for my VO webpage, but am a tad bewildered by the different PayPal offerings (regular vs. business accts., etc.). I was wondering how you folks have set your accounts up? My guess is the easiest thing to do would be for me to set up a basic account and then go from there. All I really want to do is let folks know on my website that I do accept payments through PayPal; I'm guessing with a basic account, I could just email them the payment link and go from there.

PS I searched the forum here already, but didn't find a specific answer to my quandry. Also, I read the post about Liz's nightmare scenario with PayPal; that almost scares me away from the PayPal idea completely.

[mcm]

Why do you need to say anything on your website about PayPal? It's probably enough for your clients to know you accept payment for your services, and you can tell them that "in person".

My only suggestion for PayPal is that you use an email address that is for that purpose only.

[CurtZHP]

Also bear in mind that PayPal charges you a percentage on any monies you collect through them. (I think it's like 3%.) Sending someone money is free.

Whether you pass that extra expense on to the client is up to you. I have seen some small businesses take PayPal with the stated stipulation that the price goes up 3%.

[Lizden]

Hey! (I'm sorry...I don't know your name! )

Yeah...that was not a fun experience..But...that said, I have had PayPal for 5 years and that was the only issue I ever had...hmmmm maybe the frustration has worn off!

Anyway...I would create a Business PayPal account that is linked to your business checking account...it's just like creating a separate checking account for your business, it keep your personal & business finances separate...also, if I remember correctly, there is no limit as to the amount you can receive via PayPal on a biz account while I do think that there is one on personal accounts...I think.

Anyway, I use PayPal ALL the time to get paid by foreign & even some domestic clients, and while yes depending on the country the fee is 3%-5% it's well worth the ease of use. I don't charge extra for payment via PayPal. It's the cost of doing business.

I wouldn't worry about putting anything on your website about PayPal - unless you're selling a product that can be bought directly off your site - , like Mary said, that can be discussed once you book the gig!

May the sacks of virtual cash find their way to you!
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

[Lee Gordon]

I believe 3% is PayPal's "good" rate if you subscribe to a higher level of service. I think the regular rate is more like 8%.

Today I had a client e-mail me to apologize because she had neglected to get my invoice to her accountant soon enough for me to be paid today and she asked if I would like her to pay me via PayPal instead. I told her I didn't mind waiting an extra week or two for the check.

Yesterday, a German client paid me through PayPal but, the funds have not yet been released to me because my client provided an "unconfirmed address." PayPal warned me not to ship any merchandise until the transaction has been completed. Not very useful for an ISDN session that has already taken place. Once the money is released to me, PayPal will help themselves to about 30 euros off the top.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[COURVO]

PayPal seems to be the de facto standard for many freelancers, small businesses, and web enterprises to transact money.

I have two accounts....one that's personal, and one for my business. The personal is a basic account I use for stuff like iTunes purchases -- and the business account is a PayPal "Merchant" account that affords certain advantages...like setting up "shopping carts", taking credit cards, and creating custom badges for your website, etc.

Peruse the PayPal help pages, and you'll stumble across a comparison of the two offerings with a list of what each specific membership will give you.

My CPA treats my PayPal as if it were a bank. He trotted out the ole: "...if it walks like a bank, and talks like a bank...then it must BE a bank..." So that's how I've fit those PayPal transactions into my QuickBooks templates.

International clients don't seem to like PayPal...European and Indian clients prefer to wire money directly into your bank account -- at least that's been my experience. That requires your bank to provide some codes that you may not have heard of before, but that meet all sorts of global banking protocols.

Like most banks and credit cards, PayPal lets you export your transactions as an .iif file that you can import into QuickBooks....which makes it easier during tax season....which it is now....gotta go enter some transactions!!!

CourVO
_________________
Dave Courvoisier - Las Vegas, NV
http://www.CourVO.com
CourVO@CourVO.com
Courvo's "Voice Acting in Vegas" Blog: http://www.CourVO.biz
on your phone at courvo.mobi
702.610.6288
"I'm not a news anchor, but I play one on TV."

[Lizden]

Wow Lee....

I've never had 8% taken, the most was 5% and that was because the client paid in Euros & there was a conversion that had to be done.

On US transactions, it's usually 3.2% and Foreign ones paid in US Dollars 4.2%.

And, like CourVO, I tag all those fees in QuickBooks as "Bank Charges"
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

[Mike Harrison]

For Domestic transactions, PayPal's current fees - which are based on the amount of monthly sales - range from 1.9% to 2.9% PLUS 30 cents.

International transaction fees range from 2.9% to 3.9% PLUS a fixed additional fee in the originating currency which varies depending on what that currency is.
_________________
Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.