posted on September 1, 2001 07:04:38 PM
I have a page on my site that rates the payment services. Payingfast is a small, family-owned business that is attempting to give better customer service than Bidpay. Bidpay has grown a bit too large and there have been some complaints about missing payments and no response from them. I recently had two transactions with Payingfast to Brazil and the Phillipines. Both went very smoothly and I received my first payment about 2 days after I received the email that it was on its way. The 2nd payment just went out yesterday, so I dont expect it before Tuesday. When I emailed with questions, I got an answer in about an hour.
Once the payment is sent, it can not be charged back.
Sellers do not have to register but there is an incentive. 1) it guarantees that they have the correct name and address 2) They charge 4.79 for the first $100 but they give sellers $2 back for every referral. I personally refund this to the customer, so it only costs 2.79.
posted on September 1, 2001 07:08:37 PM
I would avoid these "smaller players" unless you are absolutely certain that you will get your money. I use Billpoint, and although the fees are a bit high, I am reluctant to switch to anyone else because of fear of fraud. Also, my buyers want to know that they can trust the payment solution that I use. If PayingFast gave a trial offer, I might consider it.
"Anything the mind of man can believe and conceive, it CAN ACHIEVE!"
posted on September 1, 2001 07:08:40 PM
Hi.
I received a paymaent through payingfast from a man in Canada a few months ago. No problems. But Bidpay money orders are taking several days to arrive lately. I live in Washington State.
Yisgood-
Thanks for the referal info. Have a nice evening.
Thanks for the information! I did go to your site [ygoodman.com] right after I wrote the question above, wondering whether you had written anything about them.
BTW, I received my first BidPay payment this week. I wanted to let you know I didn't receive either confirming email. I had read
the BidPay section at your site, and knew there might be a problem. I waited and the money order did arrive shortly.
While Bidpay says you don't have to sign to accept money, I wonder if I would have gotten those 2 confirming emails if I had signed up? I didn't like their privacy section on their website.
Thanks everyone!
[ edited by labrat4gmos on Sep 1, 2001 07:19 PM ]
posted on September 1, 2001 07:30:41 PM
The confirming emails have nothing to do with the sign up. They are supposed to be sent out just to confirm that payment is on the way. If you didn't get them (and you are not the only one to report this) it is one of two things:
- the buyer gave the wrong email for you to bidpay (in this case it might have helped if you were registered because they might have been able to find the correct one)
- bidpay goofed. Since sellers who are registered and received several payments reported that lately they have not received some of the confirmations, I suspect this is what happened. Bidpay is experiencing some growing pains.
There are times when dealing with a smaller company is actually better.
In response to some of the other comments made here:
Why should Payingfast offer a free trial? There is no cost to the seller. The buyer is paying to have a money order sent, which costs Payingfast money to process. Does the Post Office offer free trials for money orders? Does your bank? At 2.79 after the $2 referral fee, Payingfast is probably the cheapest way to send money internationally.
As for worries about not getting the money:
1) if the seller is really worried about this, they can always wait to receive it before shipping. 2) the notice that tells you to ship is sent after the payment has already been mailed. At this point if you dont get it, it is the Post Office's fault, not Payingfast. And you can always contact them to stop the first one and reissue. With no fear of charge backs, this is a safer payment method for sellers than Paypal, Billpoint or Paydirect.
posted on September 1, 2001 07:56:21 PM
Just got a message from Payingfast. They are monitoring these forums but for their own reasons, (those of you who saw some of the uncalled-for, nasty attacks of the past know what I am talking about) they do not post directly. So just to clarify, they are a small, privately-owned business but not really a family business since only two of the partners are related.
posted on September 1, 2001 08:15:39 PM
I have used PayingFast as a seller. I have had about 5 payments from them. I was surprised to see the first money order hand written. Payments were received in very fast time.
I received $6.00 from the $2.00 referral offer in record time! I really thought it would be here maybe by mid month and it was here by the 4 business day - That is FAST.
I am very happy with the service and have had no problem at all.
posted on September 1, 2001 08:49:18 PMThey are monitoring these forums but for their own reasons, (those of you who saw some of the uncalled-for, nasty attacks of the past know what I am talking about) they do not post directly.
Weren't their posting privileges suspended because they were advertising their service in any thread they could. I seem to remember a moderator doing that in the services forum. Suspended
posted on September 1, 2001 09:03:17 PM
Uaru: I missed that one. The post I referred to was when a UK seller posted that he had good experience with Payingfast and a few other posters immediately jumped on him and called him a Payingfast shill. Then the AW moderator warned him against doing this in the future. It seems on this forum you are only allowed to say positive things about AW partners. Notice how many times Damon has come here and posted long excerpts from the Paypal TOU.
Since I missed that post and it has been deleted, I can only infer that it is possible that Payingfast crossed the AW line and were probably suspended with good reason.
Then again, maybe all those other services who we never hear from at all (Billpoint, Achex, C2it, Paydirect) are just afraid to do so and with good reason.
posted on September 1, 2001 09:20:11 PMThe post I referred to was when a UK seller posted that he had good experience with Payingfast and a few other posters immediately jumped on him and called him a Payingfast shill.
I remember that suspected shill thread also. The poster joined AW and minutes later there first post was a glowing testimonial to PayingFast.com. I didn't post in that thread but it sure looked fishy to me. I also thought PayingFast's remarks minutes later didn't win any converts.
posted on September 1, 2001 10:06:26 PM
payingfast:
If your lurking, a suggestion:
As a seller I would much prefer no kickback, just a lower fee to the buyer.
I use Bidpay as my only online payment option, but $5 per transaction puts off many buyers and rightly so. I would certainly consider using the service if it were cheaper than Bidpay.
posted on September 1, 2001 10:27:30 PM
I realize things slip through the cracks and well, life happens. I am only telling my story about payingfast, take it as you will.
7-26 I got an email saying I had a buyer using their service to send me payment and it was guaranteed, but, not to send item until I heard from them again that it cleared.
7-27 (4 hours after 1st email) they say it cleared all is well, it is safe to send whenever I feel comfortable as money order is possitively on the way. Fine! I send item 2 days later. Buyer and I exchange feedback all is well.
8-21 I realize I have not gotten the money order from them and email them asking them to trace it. They email back within an hour or so saying they will look into it and get back to me within 24 hours. A few hours later they say a new one has been issued and a stop payment has been put on the other one.
9-2 I still have not gotten a money order!
I love their customer service, they are very polite and quick.
And before the question is asked, Yes, I did sign up with them and make sure the address was correct. I have a PO box (small town and get along with postmaster) so I don't think there is any stealing going on.
yisgood said earlier to hold the item until you get the money order if you would feel safer that way. In my case, I don't think the buyer would have been happy with me if I had done that. She still wouldn't have her widget over a month after the auction ended. I have not informed the buyer about this but I will soon. I saw no reason to involve her since, by rights, she did her part already.
posted on September 2, 2001 09:09:03 AM
"If you dont get an email from Payingfast, it is because they were given the wrong email ID for you from the buyer. "
I've received 50 to 75 payments from paying fast and never once received a "payment is on the way" e-mail.
posted on September 2, 2001 09:30:58 AMWeren't their posting privileges suspended because they were advertising their service in any thread they could. I seem to remember a moderator doing that in the services forum.
Ha, ha. Yes, only AuctionWatch partners are allowed to violate the AW Community Guidelines: "Third party representatives may answer questions about services in a strictly factual and non-promotional manner if asked; however, AuctionWatch may end a discussion if we believe that a third party or any of its representatives initiated or are perpetuating the discussion, are promoting its services, or that ending the discussion is otherwise appropriate."
When I pointed out that PayPal consistently promotes its services on its forums not in response to a question, I was told they are an AW partner, so it's not advertising. Ha, ha. Whatever.
posted on September 2, 2001 01:10:08 PM
Hello kadric2,
Please contact us, so we can make sure we sent the new payment to your correct address.
Hello celebrityskin,
We send two email out when an order is place. The first email saying we have received the order from a buyer to send you a money order and the second email saying the money order is on the way. Please contact us, so we can make sure we have your correct email address.
posted on September 2, 2001 07:08:32 PM
Hi.
I emailed Payingfast today to make sure I was signed up for the referal and it only took about an hour for a real person to write me back. Great service!
posted on September 3, 2001 12:02:46 AM
Payingfastcom:
Just logged on. Checked to make sure that my e-mail address was correct. It was. Even pretended that I forgot my password, to see if the e-mail would come. It did.
