A little confused

So I recently got a paypal button on my website and I had an event today so the lady payed me yesterday & paypal said that they need to hold my $ for 21 days!! WHAT? why? Has this happened to u?

Shheeez! Not cool!

Tell me about it Manja! Im pretty upset*

Did they say WHY? It may be because it's a new account. It may be something else. I would ask.

LeapingLizards is right:

https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=security/paypal_holds_faq

Sounds like PayPal can "decide" to hold funds if and when they see fit, not just with a new account.

I prefer getting paid on or before my gig in most cases. So, I'd be inclined to look for alternate payment methods if I thought PayPal might arbitrarily withhold my funds without my prior knowledge.

I take a non-refundable deposit and I always tell my clients that I expect payment on or before the time of event. If it is to be paid at the time of event, I expect cash from private parties I haven't done business with before. Repeat customers, people from my local community, and legitimate Businesses can pay by check. A few companies pay "30 days net". But those are the exceptions rather than the rule.

What are other people's experience with various payment options?

Well, So I called & the lady said its because I have a new account! Grr! They want everyone to be safe I guess so I had to follow some steps & send an email to my client & done! YAY!

So, the payments wouldn't be held up in the future then? That's good!

I haven't had problems with PayPal....yet. I probably will at some point, they're just too big not to cause grief, ya know?

I take the majority of my deposits via Paypal. For the balance, I often take Paypal, but I also REALLY like Square. It's a flat 2.75% if you run a card or 3.75% if you key in the number. It's nice to be able to swipe a card at a party and be done. Plus, there's a place where the client can add a percentage for tip. The receipt is emailed or sent by text message immediately.

There's a new kid on the block: http://gopayment.com/
It's just like the Square, slightly less at 2.7% for transactions, but they do charge a little more for AmEx cards.

Manja, She said that they will do this 2 more times just to make sure im not a fraud*

Oh Wow! really? so where do they exactly swipe the card?

You get a card reader in the mail (free!) that plugs into your smartphone via the earphones jack. It's not perfect and sometimes takes several swipes, but it does work.

Oh wow! SO I go to that website and request one?

Yup, the link above is for the Intuit one. Here's the link for the square:

https://squareup.com/

this does assume that you're in the US

Me... I'm cash only. Cheques will be accepted for deposits but only up until a week prior to the event (so I can make sure they clear!) Payment on the day is cash UNLESS it is a known company or past client. I do not accept personal cheques for payment.

I'm with Shannon... cash is best for most all my gigs. Even my restaurants pay me in cash.

Shannon Fennell wrote:Me... I'm cash only. Cheques will be accepted for deposits but only up until a week prior to the event (so I can make sure they clear!) Payment on the day is cash UNLESS it is a known company or past client. I do not accept personal cheques for payment.

I guess we're both "old school", Shannon. It's worked for me so far.

I suppose PayPal makes sensefor those wanting to pay online.

Julie ~ Just curious. When you do find that the credit card payments are necessary? Is it helpful for ppf events? Do you find that having the cc capabilities increases your sales? I haven't found a reason to have that so far, but maybe I'm overlooking something.

I have had no problem with paypal, the first one went through without any holds. I wish I had seen square before I signed my contract for my credit card machine...I have another years lease on it, and then I am dumping it for a square. I have not used it that much, but it is worth it to have. Just wish I had done it in a cheeper way! I do like cash though...and I seem to collect more of that than anything else.

Manja,
clients can pay my deposit by CC or via their bank so it's instant, both for them and to my account. I offer the ability to take paypal, cash or cards for the balance of the event (checks if I know them). People tend towards paypal to get it out of the way so we don't have to have a transaction occur at the party. I don't like counting cash in front of kids (though, I will), and if they pay by CC, then it frees up what cash they do have for extra tips! And yes, CC via square is great for PPF events, and I also used it for private bookings on Halloween weekend.

I have a balloon artist friend that got square and it works great for him at events. Haven't you heard parents tell their kids" Honey we can't do that now I don't have the cash right now". That's when you say I take credit cards. Yes I've been there as a parent when either time or money is tight so you use that as an excuse to your kids so your not just telling them no. I've also ran across times when my daughter was young where she really wanted her face painted but the painters either had the wrong product or were really bad painters. Then I would tell her I'm not paying for something momma can do better. She knew that was true so she wouldn't wine later.