I've been collecting some of the concerns for the merchant account applications. Here are some of the questions asked and the answer(s):
1. Do I have to provide a driver's license.
No.
2. Do I have to provide a Social Security Number?
Yes (As is the case with our products/services, the more information a user gives us to verify their identity, the more functionality the account has).
3. Does feedback count?
a) Yes. Users that have 5000 feedback (lifetime) or 200 over the past six months can qualify for the merchant rate.
b) Feedback counts, but account history (chargebacks,etc) will be used. Users would need to stay at the $1000.00/month level to keep the rate. Two consecutive months below this level can lead to the non-merchant rate).
posted on July 18, 2001 01:41:29 PM new
Damon: you need social security numbers why?
Let me get this straight: if I had automatically qualified (by doing $1K a month), would you have required the SSN? Or is this something additional for just those who qualify by other means?
Besides, this is really over the top. Are you saying that without the SSN you guys don't really know who we are?
Something to think about: you have people of all levels of verification that automatically qualify for the merchant rate. So I can kind of understand it if you're talking about an unverified seller who hasn't given you that much info. But for sellers who are already verified, who already gave you all the additional info to qualify for the debit card, it's just too much.
I shudder to think what info PayPal will want for the next thing they come up with.
What else is left?
posted on July 18, 2001 02:04:18 PM new
Hi PPD, since I posted this same question in two other threads and it still has not been answered, might as well post it here too.
I do not wish to provide paypal with my SSN. I have since been told that you request the SSN to do a credit check. Please offer me a reasonable explanation of why you wish to do a credit check on me given all of the following:
- You are not a bank and are not offering me a bank service or extending me credit
- I have been a PP user since nearly day one of its operation
- I am both "verified" and "confirmed"
- I have a CC# and a bank account # on file
- I have a billpoint merchant rate
- I have the feedback requirements you posted above
- I am one of the few users on this board who tries to defend Paypal, at least much of the time
posted on July 18, 2001 02:54:00 PM newI've been collecting some of the concerns for the merchant account applications...
That's all well and good, but people have been asking questions about the merchant rate, not merchant accounts. In fact, the topic of one of those threads was just that:
Merchant rate question
Why do you need a user's SSN in order for them to get a lower rate? When I go to the market, they'll let me use a coupon to get a lower price without requiring a credit check.
posted on July 18, 2001 05:11:05 PM newWho qualifies for Merchant Rate pricing?
Merchant Rate pricing is reserved for members in good standing (i.e. who are not restricted and do not have unresolved chargebacks) who meet the following criteria:
Been a PayPal member for at least 90 days, and
Received $3,000 in PayPal payments over the previous 90 days (an average of $1,000/month)
OR
Received a competitive offer from an established merchant account provider
OR
Proven long-standing, high-volume eBay seller (eBay user ID and password must be provided on the Merchant Rate application.)
