posted on October 11, 2000 10:25:56 AM new
There is a new payment service out there that I just recently found out about. Its called Achex (www.achex.com). It looks quite promising and it would seem to avoid most, if not all of the problems with PayPal, in that you DO NOT have to set up a new bank account. You simply send and receive money out of your existing bank accounts in a secure way, in that the payee never sees your account information. I guess the only drawback is that right now it looks like it is only for ACH bank account transfers, and thus you can't use it for credti card payments. But for paying by check it seems pretty cool. Oh, by the way it is completely FREE for buer and seller!
posted on October 11, 2000 10:56:33 AM new
YOu really have to dig through the information---but in doing so you find out that it is NOT free to merchants or if you do more than 30 transactions a month for individual accounts---and then in one spot they state that you will be charged 'the standard merchant fee'--but no statement on what that fee might be. Also I found this statement. I don't like sites that don't put their fees out in the open---or make you do a scavenger hunt to find out if there is fees.
"Merchants: Achex pricing is available on request. For merchants, accepting Achex is significantly less expensive than being paid via credit cards, debit cards, or paper checks.
posted on October 11, 2000 11:15:11 AM new
Everybody wants something for nothing. I think that 30 free transactions a month is generous. Do you really think all these services have nothing better to do that hire staff, maintain servers and help you conduct your business all for free? Get real!
I used Achex a few times and it is the fastest one out there. Money is in my account in about two days. http://www.ygoodman.com [email protected]
posted on October 11, 2000 11:34:35 AM new
Before you sign up for a service, it is up to you to read the TOS. Achex states that they are free to consumers but there is a fee for businesses. If you want to become a business, you have to fill out a form. If you dont fill out the form, you are not a business. I assume that if you reach a certain number of transactions, they might require you to sign up as a business. Someone mentioned 30 a month, but I did not find that on the site. So far I did not register as a business, have received 5 or 6 payments and have not paid a dime. So I dont understand the whining. http://www.ygoodman.com [email protected]
posted on October 11, 2000 11:36:52 AM new
That's all I want too---if you have fees put it on the front page---whether you get charged after 30 transactions or not. It really took me a long search to find the information I found.
And at what point do they consider you a merchant---or is up to you to decide that.
The 30 transactions note is in their Terms of Service---which is the longest TOS I think I've ever seen and the smallest font known to mankind (I had to copy and paste it elsewhere to read it).---and then they state that the charge will be a Standard Merchant Charge---but no mention what that Standard charge might be---there is no link to the TOS---but you can find it by clicking on the Sign Up page.
Yisgood---you recommend that that TOS is read---but it appears that you haven't --or you would have seen the 30 transaction notice.
[ edited by Zazzie on Oct 11, 2000 12:07 PM ]
posted on October 11, 2000 12:02:48 PM new
Where on the site does it say it's free for buyers and sellers? It looks to me like it's showing that it is free for sending money... has anyone called their customer service to find out what they charge?
posted on October 11, 2000 12:08:02 PM new
If you look at their FAQ, the fourth question is What does it cost? It says there that it is free to consumers. In order to become a business, you have to contact them. I did not contact them and processed 5 or 6 transactions (some of them for $500). So far it has all been free. I did email them today and ask what constitutes a business account but I have not heard from them yet. In any case, unlike Paypal, they have not forced me to upgrade. http://www.ygoodman.com [email protected]
posted on October 11, 2000 12:49:10 PM new
looks like it says you have to call them to become a Merchant... I think that might be different from being a Business... look at the right tab and it shows you their Merchants...
posted on October 11, 2000 05:50:27 PM new
What I find utterly incredible is that a business imagines that it can acquire a good name via shill postings to forums such as AuctionWatch.
posted on October 11, 2000 06:07:33 PM new
sg52: I dont know why think achex has made shill postings here, unless you think I work for them. It wasnt long ago I was accused of working for Paypal. I guess you cant say anything nice about a company unless you work for them. Personally, I usually complain about the company I work for. So maybe now I am working for Paypal.
To set the record straight, I emailed achex about their fees and got exactly the reply I expected. It is free to consumers. There is a fee to the merchant, depending on volume. A consumer is anyone who uses it to buy and sell, including auctions. A merchant is someone who contacts Achex and asks to sign up for their program. In the future, they reserve the right to decide that someone is a merchant if he reaches a certain volume. This has not yet been decided, but it might be set at 30 payments received in one month.
To me this is very fair. Anyone who expects to do 30 sales a month should be considered a business. So far I have only done 5 or 6 but the money was in my account in 2 days. The only drawback is that they dont accept credit cards. There is also no charge back allowed.
posted on October 11, 2000 06:36:33 PM newFROM achex FAQ:
How much does it cost to use Achex?
Consumers: Achex is FREE for consumers making transfers to and from an existing bank account. While most banks provide this service free of charge, a few may charge a small fee. If you are unsure whether or not your bank charges a fee, please contact your bank and ask whether it charges for "ACH transfers."
Also, if you do not have sufficient funds in your bank account to cover the transaction, you will incur a fee of $10 from Achex. This fee assessment is similar to a "bounced check" fee for a paper check.
Merchants: Achex pricing is available on request. For merchants, accepting Achex is significantly less expensive than being paid via credit cards, debit cards, or paper checks.
posted on October 11, 2000 08:34:29 PM new
I don't know if the "shill" posting comment was directed to me or not, but let me say that I have absolutely NOTHING to do with Achex in any shape or form, nor do I know anyone that does. I do know that it makes a hell of a lot of sense to me to have a payment system that works out of your EXISTING accounts as opposed to setting up a whole new layer of essentially sham bank accounts with some third party to transfer money through. It is with this whole new system of accounts thatPayPal is having most if not all of there problems. Let them try to to freeze my Chase account!
posted on October 11, 2000 11:25:10 PM newWhat I find utterly incredible is that a business imagines that it can acquire a good name via shill postings to forums such as AuctionWatch.
If shill posting was indeed being used you'd have to give them credit for saving money. No advertisement fee, and no referral fees could save a lot of money. I want to stress I used the word IF.
I find it very painful to accept the possibility I could agree with sg52 on anything.
posted on October 12, 2000 09:08:36 AM new
hey guys, i don't know who you work for (you can tell us if you want), but i think strings like this one and the one started about ExchangePath are helpful to a lot of people like me who are trying to decide who to use. Please don't flame the people asking these questions and responding, because they are providing useful information. Definitely give your opinion of the services, though, since that's the purpose of these threads. Otherwise, I think your involvement is a bit divisive.
posted on October 13, 2000 12:42:36 PM new
Yisgood!
I just checked out your web site. Boy, you are amazing! We all have a lesson to learn from this example, on how to con someone. It is interesting that it states that in order to enter into the Anniversary contest, all they have to do is sign up for Payplace. Well, okay..but then it states that upon entering the contest, they will receive $10 instantly! The way that it is written, it makes the person think that the $10 is coming from the website company, when in fact it is the $10 sign-up bonus given by Payplace!
Quite tricky here folks! Hold a contest, by which in order to enter, you make a $5 referral fee. I guess that is how one can afford to give out the prizes! Tricky and very crafty!
No offense to you Yisgood! It just really amazed me. It is really a sure way to get tons of referals, without the person knowing that the money is due to them anyway.
[ edited by featherwings on Oct 13, 2000 12:44 PM ]
posted on October 13, 2000 02:29:00 PM new
Hey, featherbrain. Are you one of those people who bids on auctions after reading half the description and then posts bad feedback because you didnt read the rest of it? Why dont you mention that you can enter my contest just be sending me an email? Why dont you mention that I (not some other company) have given away 4 color printers and dozens of cds, cd lens cleaners, software and assorted other prizes? Where do you think this money comes from? From the folks who entered my contest by joining Payplace, Paypal, Exchangepath etc. As I clearly state on the site, the purpose of the contest is to get folks to join my mailing list which will tell them about all sorts of freebies on the Internet. Is there some reason why I shouldnt mention Payplace? I should say "there's a service that will pay you $10 for joining, but since I also get $5 it's a con for me to mention it?" I guess it takes a featherbrain to see it that way. http://www.ygoodman.com [email protected]
posted on October 13, 2000 02:48:52 PM new
Yisgood,
I think your contests are an excellent idea, and would be a good deal for your customers.
BUT Payplace reduced the sign up bonus from $10 to $5 several months ago, and I'm pretty sure it has been completely eliminated now. At least I can't find anything on their site about it. The do still pay referrals, but no bonus for the customer.
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posted on October 13, 2000 07:10:06 PM new
As of today, it is still $10 to the person signing up and $5 to the referral. It's in the TOS.
Oh Yisgcon.. why are you so defensive? If you indeed read my note, you would have noticed that I stated that it was something that was very interesting. I also mentioned that you do give prizes! I guess that you missed that eh? Oh well, I suppose that you have to make a living somehow. And that would surely bring in a lot of money from people who are not aware that they are feeding you this month. Lots of luck. I bet we all wished we had thought of something that tricky!
[ edited by featherwings on Oct 13, 2000 10:45 PM ]
Also looks like the referral program ends in a few days, as well.
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[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Oct 14, 2000 01:22 PM ]
posted on October 14, 2000 06:37:53 PM new
amalgamated2000,
Recheck that link to Achex! I just entered that very page and it states in bold letters that the program ends Oct 17, 2000. I wonder if they have Paypalitis. Its funny that you saw a different date than what is showing whenever I view the very same page.
A partial copy of the page you are referring to.
LINK TO PAYPLACE BONUS PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Link to PayPlace Bonus Program ends midnight October 17, 2000
VOID WHERE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. By participating in the Link to PayPlace Bonus Program, Participant acknowledges that Participant has read, understood, and agrees to be bound by the following Terms and Conditions as well as the General Web Site Terms and Conditions of Use and Additional Terms and Conditions of Use Applicable to the PayPlace Services which are incorporated into this offer by reference.
This Link to PayPlace Bonus Program ("Link Bonus Program" begins April 20, 2000, and terminates October 17, 2000 ("Bonus Program Period".
This Link Bonus Program is only open to U. S. residents (excluding Puerto Rico) who are 18 years of age and older, who have an account in good standing with PayPlace.com, and who have set up a PayPlace link on their online auction page ("Participants".
During the Bonus Program Period, Participants will receive $5.00("Link Bonus" each time a person not previously registered with PayPlace.com clicks on Participant's PayPlace link and opens a new PayPlace account ("new registrant", usually within 2 days of the new registrant's account becoming effective and will be in the form of a deposit into the Participant's PayPlace account. Participants are not entitled to a Link Bonus if the new registrant does not use the proper procedure to identify the Participant as the referror or has previously signed up through another Participant's program. Participants are entitled to only one Link Bonus per new registrant.
posted on October 14, 2000 08:26:49 PM new
featherwings,
The information you posted refers to ONLY the referral fees. If you look a little further down the page, you will see that the sign up bonus was ended May 17.
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[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Oct 14, 2000 08:27 PM ]
posted on October 14, 2000 11:26:22 PM new
featherwings, that link was to PayPlace, not Achex... at the top it says october 17, but if you look halfway down the page it says may 17... pretty confusing,...
posted on October 15, 2000 12:21:09 AM new
It is confusing, but those dates are for totally seperate promotions -- the October 17 date is for referral bonuses, and the May 17 date is for sign up bonuses.
posted on October 15, 2000 05:48:15 AM new
Thank you all for clearing that up. It is pretty confusing. I was talking about Payplace, not Achex. There is nothing worse than TOS that hides such information and confuses the issue.
I appreciate your help in sorting out the information. I guess the TOS was written to confuse and it worked on me. :eek:
posted on October 16, 2000 08:19:24 AM new
What caused the confusion was a previous poster who mentioned half of my contest and basically botched it. I never mentioned $10 for payplace. I mentioned that there is a free service called Payplace and another one called Exchangeplace that pays you $10 to join. When someone emails me or joins Payplace with my link, they enter my contest. I then send them the referral for exchangeplace where they could join to get $10 from them. Incidentally, on my auctions I mention that if someone joins payplace with my link, I give them free USPS priority shipping. Since this costs me at least 3.55, between that and my contest I am giving away most of my referral fees to my customers. My customers seem to appreciate it. I always thought a scam was when you trick people into giving you money. For those who think it's a scam to give people things for free, please stay away from my site.
By the way, when you click on a banner you find on a site, that site gets something for it. Not only that, but you usually dont. So I guess AW, Yahoo, Ebay and just about every site in the world is a scam. http://www.ygoodman.com [email protected]
posted on October 16, 2000 10:21:23 AM new
Yisgood,
Ahh, I get it now. Actually, in re-reading, it does make sense.
I don't see how anyone can say this is a scam. They entrant gets a free entry in the contest, plus $10.
Yes, Yisgood gets something out of it, but it's not a "zero sum" game. The cost to the entrant is still nothing. The payment services get new customers (and new customers who are likely to be auction buyers, which makes much more valuable), the entrant learns about 2 new services, gets a free entry in the contest, plus the Exchangepath sign up bonus. If that's a scam, then please scam me.
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