I have used the services of PayPal since its inception on the Internet.
Since I use eBay a lot, PayPal has been the solution to many problems
that existed before its beginning, i.e., the ability to accept payments
in US dollars from customers outside the United States.

The lowest percentage rate I was able to obtain with a merchant account
was 6%.  PayPal's fees, a mere 3% of the transaction, are far less that
any merchant account that I have investigated, and I did not have to
purchase a terminal or $500 worth of software to get up and running.
My music roll customers now use PayPal and with few exceptions the
rolls are on their way the day after a PayPal payment is received.

I maintain a separate bank account just for electronic transfers
from PayPal.  Their security is impressive.  I logged into my account
several times from an different Internet provider and they shut down
my account.  Their security system sensed the different ISP and until
I was able to prove to them that I was the person logging in, they
would not release any funds from my account.  The second bank account
is _my_ security, for as soon as the electronic transfer is made from
PayPal, I transfer the money to another account.  The PayPal bank
account rarely has more than a few dollars in it.

If I sent a postal money order to someone who did not send me the
merchandise, I certainly would not expect the United States Post Office
to intercede on my behalf or try to get the recalcitrant or dishonest
seller brought to justice.

Everyone has their horror stories to tell about eBay, PayPal, the
United States Postal System and United Parcel Service.  I guess I have
been blessed, as the USPS has never lost a package.  To date, I have
mailed over 523 packages this year using the USPS and all have been
delivered, on time!  True, I use delivery confirmation and Priority
Mail.

Being able to ascertain just when the parcel is delivered acts,
I believe, as an "incentive" to those postal employees who otherwise
might be a bit lax in their duties.  Delivery confirmation is now free
if you print your mailing labels using the nifty new software on the
United States Postal web site.

Ed Gaida - Still 22 blocks north of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas,
but not for much longer!