Originally Posted by MikeCam

I pay with Visa if possible. Had someone in Alabama buy a $800 US camera on my Paypal account. Contacted Paypal and they said they would look into it. Didn't give me a warm feeling so I called Visa because I have my PP hooked to my VISA. They said don't take a chance. Cancelled my card and 2 days later had a new one at my branch (didn't want to wait the week to be mailed to my residence) and before I even picked it up had my $800 US taken off my VISA.

Now here's the best part, 2 months later, yes 2 whole months I get an email from Paypal stating that yes in fact it was a fraudulent use of my Paypal account (Go figure) and they have credited my account back $800 US. I was never concerned at any point and didn't push for a resolution because I had my money already from VISA. Problem is the Canadian dollar had dropped 2 cents in that time so now I was still out over $16 dollars and for a transaction that had nothing to do with me. I explained to them that It should not cost me $16 because Paypal let someone commit fraud on me. I received back the standard form letter response telling me how the exchange system works. Keep in mind that Paypal and credit cards as well, charge you 2% to exchange money, it is not a fee you can see or even have them admit to, but it's hidden in their exchange rate. So now I have Paypal making a profit off of the fraud that they allowed someone to commit on me. Love how all the ad's talk about how SAFE Paypal is. After 3 emails I finally told them to shove their account and that I had received my money from VISA and signed the paper work that came in the mail from VISA stating I did not buy the camera, then placed the statement in the addressed postage paid envelope provided by VISA. This took 2 more months of wrangling, I finally told them I was doing nothing more and that I would allow VISA to go after them for the $800 US.

Well 2 months go by, now 6 months into this ordeal I get a nice email from Paypal telling me how much they appreciate my business and that my account is back to $0 like it should have been. No apology for the whole fiasco just a note telling me how Paypal is the safest way to buy items from the internet. Had a laugh over that one.

I use VISA when ever I can, including HK, and only use Paypal if the seller will take nothing else.

I tried to buy a cell phone battery thru PayPal (only way to pay) and spent 3 emails trying to get my Paypal account to except the transaction. The last email said all was good but in fact with someone committing fraud with my account I was now going to have to jump through hoops to get my account open. So after changing my security question 3 times and talking to someone on the phone they released my account. About a week later i get an email from the seller that he doesn't have the battery and returns my money. LOL

Guess what, I was out $1.89 because of the exchange rate again. LOL Had a laugh over that one then decided I'd try VISA, didn't think I would get anywhere but would you believe VISA simply said No problem, it's what we do for our customers. Wow.

So to sum it all up, use a good credit card for all transactions and leave the Paypal, which you should have hooked up to your credit card and should never EVER go near your bank account, to the sellers that will not use anything but Paypal.

Long story I know but I did try to get out of it in post # 11. Might never happen to you I know but if it does boy will it leave a bad taste in your mouth with Paypal.

Originally Posted by tskca

For Load Value Load fee
$25 - $49.99 $3.95
$50 - $99.99 $4.95
$100 - $149.99 $5.95
$150 - $250 $6.95

Perhaps someone can tell us the advantage of using CanadaPost's Visa cards. Apparently I pay the loading charges rather than the seller (like HK)????

Originally Posted by Luke Planemaker

My thinking on the CP card, was that it wasn't linked to my account, and for 3$ I could load it again. There is a 3$/month maintenance fee taken off automatically though
Seemed like a simple way for me to order stuff online.