Poll...and Query

[wyld_dandelyon]

First the poll: [Poll #1592044]If, assuming that you had plenty of money and no urgent need to pay bills or put it in savings or the like, you answered the above questions differently, my query is simple:

Why?  

What factors led you to take one imaginary action or another in these situations?

Comments

[zellie-bean.livejournal.com]

Good point about admiring art but not wanting to lug it home ;) Everyone needs a little tip jar! I'd love to put in some money to show my appreciation for something, but how do you say that 'I really like this but I don't actually want it' doesn't really sound appropriate! And even if I did want something...I saw some gorgeous hand woven scarves the other day going for hundreds of dollars. Gorgeous to look at but yikes, I'd be terrified of wearing something that pricey. Would love to say that it was gorgeous and while I can't afford it, I want to donate something to show that I appreciate it was made.

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

$2 to $3 to a credit card company to donate $1? Ouch!

I don't see this cash advance charge from Paypal, but I've linked Paypal to a bank account, so the credit card is not in the picture.

You actually can set up a Paypal account that charges a straight percentage; for amounts up to--drat, I can't remember, I figured out the cut-off point months ago--it's cheaper to use the micropayment formula, above that you pay more to Paypal using the micropayment form. However, you can choose only one of these types of payment per account. (Per bank account? Per user? I'm not sure, I don't get enough tiny contributions for it to be worth my while to figure that out.)

I wouldn't say that I love paypal; however, I am not aware it has any competitors. And it's much safer and easier for me than giving out my home address; I don't have to worry about bounce fees for checks or ask my fans to go out and buy bank money orders or postal money orders. And I don't like the risk of someone sending cash in the mail, and don't do enough business to support the costs of taking credit card payments directly.

Oops--lunch is over! got to go!

[delight-in.livejournal.com]

(This is Rowyn again, just don't feel like switching logins on my phone).

Credit cards have sizable consumer protections against fraud and theft, because federal law and regulation require it. Bank transactions have comparatively little. I do not remotely trust Paypal enough to give them my bank account number.

Ironically, I'd rather send checks, because my bank's check-sending site is far less annoying to use and inconvenient than Paypal. (And the checks it sends verify funds before sending, so they don't bounce). But I am the exception on that count.

I imagine eventually, maybe in another five years or so, there'll be a system in place that's cheaper and better than Paypal. One of Twitter's founders is working on a credit-card swiping technology for consumers to use to accept transactions, which would be great if he can overcome the various obstacles involved. :)

[mbumby.livejournal.com]

Why? If I really enjoyed it and had money, I'd tip, but I'd probably not speak. Somewhat shy, and have been burned too many times by creating an opening for someone to take advantage of me. If a musician is playing I might catch their eye & smile, and move on. Online, rather than in person, (especially when I know the author/artist) I might be more likely to say something -- but I'm not good at thinking of things to speak when on the spot. And it's not so much that I figure I'll look stupid and that bothers me, but that I'll _be_ stupid and be wasting the time of the person I want to commend.

I saw a paypal comment above -- I know once of all the times I've donated via paypal I've elected to pay a bit more so that the recipient would get the full amount -- but I'm wondering if I selected the wrong radio-button that time -- I think if you choose "gift" they don't take their cut.