Anyone use Paypal microtransactions?

[kinar]

OK, so I recently found out about the paypal microtransactions option ($.05 + 5% instead of $.30 + $.029%) and I setup a second paypal account to use them (you can't have a single pp account that does both). I've gotten everything verified on the second account and requested that my account be switched over via the following link:
https://micropayments.paypal-labs.com/?bn_r=m

The result of that was that it can take a few days for it to take effect.

Its been a few days since I've done that. My question is do they notify you once it is complete? Thats what I was expecting but I haven't heard anything. Also, does it show up anywhere on your account when you login that you are using microtransactions?

[Chaddie84]

Are you shure this is legit and not for phishing? The address looks a little funny to me.

If it's legit, based on your numbers, this is worth it for any transaction below $11.90. It's sad that Paypal wouldn't apply the formula automatically considering they already offer the service.

[kinar]

I'm sure it's legit. I got to the site by searching micropayments on www.paypal.com.

They also link to the same site and have the same pricing structure listed on thier digital goods sales:
https://merchant.paypal.com/cgi-bin/marketingweb?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=merchant/digital_goods&bn_r=m

[Chaddie84]

I'm sure it's legit. I got to the site by searching micropayments on www.paypal.com.

They also link to the same site and have the same pricing structure listed on thier digital goods sales:
https://merchant.paypal.com/cgi-bin/marketingweb?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=merchant/digital_goods&bn_r=m

Those URLs look a bit more legit. I still don't understand why this isn't just built into their cost structure automatically.

[slugger3469]

paypal = greed

[marklemerchants]

It is legit, they do not notify you. Took me 2-3 days I think.

[kinar]

It is legit, they do not notify you. Took me 2-3 days I think.

Thanks for the info. I guess I'll just start using the new account and see what happens...worst case scenario I end up paying the same fee structure I used to pay...

[BigEd]

Do you have an update on how this is working, kinar? I was looking at it yesterday and I'm thinking about trying it out. Thanks!

[marklemerchants]

For it to work best you need to have 2 accounts so you can be flexible. For less than $10 this blows regular paypal away but if you sell much high $ stuff youll get hammered on the 5%, so I have both.

[mikecancelliere]

It's only good for transactions less than $11.90. Anything over that you would have more fees

[uberfatty]

Do you have to go through the whole address verification thing for the 2nd account? Can you "link" the accounts even if they are separate email addresses?

[marklemerchants]

Do you have to go through the whole address verification thing for the 2nd account? Can you "link" the accounts even if they are separate email addresses?

Well, you don't have to verify your address if you aren't using it to buy from I don't think. You can't link the accounts to my knowledge, I just gift all the money from one to the other once a week.

[Qwasian]

looks nice but It seems like it would be a hassle because most of my ebay stuff goes directly to my paypal, I don't really like to have to switch between accounts. and if you get a few over the limit you get ripped, lol.

[kinar]

Do you have an update on how this is working, kinar? I was looking at it yesterday and I'm thinking about trying it out. Thanks!

I got busy and have never gotten around to actually listing anything using the new account...

As others have said, you have to maintain 2 accounts and as far as I've found, they can't be linked and you can't link them. I created a 2nd email address for the 2nd pp account and setup gmail (my primary email) to retrieve mail from the 2nd mailbox. You do NOT need 2 ebay accounts since you just give the email address of your pp account when list an item and the 2 pp accounts have different email addresses. I'm guessing this is why pp doesn't allow you to link the account since ebay would then need a better way to specify which pp account gets the funds.

When I get around to using it, I'll use the microtransactions account for all of my ebay sales less than 11.90, and the regular account for everything more than 11.90.

As for pp verification, you can't link them to the same Credit Card but you can link them to the same bank account (I've got a separate bank account just for PP stuff so I went that way with it).

[uberfatty]

I just signed up for this but it takes a few days to implement - will update after using it a little bit. Expect lots of $1-3 sales upcoming.

Also, you can't do it from a personal account, only a business account.

[tajikey]

I just signed up for this but it takes a few days to implement - will update after using it a little bit. Expect lots of $1-3 sales upcoming.

Also, you can't do it from a personal account, only a business account.

I believe it's a Premier account, as you have to buy AND sell. At least that's how I signed up for it.

[uberfatty]

Quick update for those who care about this - I made my first sale under $11.90 after setting this up and it processed perfectly on the micro account - saved about 20% off in fees.

FYI - PayPal never sent me an email confirming the micropayments were active after I asked for it to be changed from normal payments. So even though you may not hear back, it should still be switched.

Putting together a list of $1 auto/GU/inserts to sell so be on the lookout over the next few days.

[AceVanquish]

I believe it's a Premier account, as you have to buy AND sell. At least that's how I signed up for it.

So if I plan to buy and sell from the only PP account I have now, I should switch that one and use it for anything under 11.90 and make a new account to use for selling only things over 11.90 and just gift myself all the over 11.91+ sales to my (1st) under 11.90 account?

I don't quite get the express checkout vs adaptive payments under the [setting up] tab. It talks a lot about digital goods. Can this be used to sell physical items?

Could someone give more examples of fee comparison for say $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 sales?