Creating a button/link for a transfer

[247alan]

I'm trying to create a link or a button that I can send to friends and family that will allow them simply to click and be taken to a PayPal page allowing them to send me a fixed amount.  I've been able to create a Buy Now button, but this make PayPal think that I'm sending goods, which I am not.  I've experimented with the Donation button, as well, but this also charges a fee.

I'm just trying to make a link that will allow friends to send me a fixed amount with no fee and no attached implication of goods or services provided.

Here's the link in question:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?business=myemailaddress%40emailhost.com&cmd=_xclick&currency_c...

In the above link, the account email address is in the 'business=' field.  The amount in $100 USD.  The name is "Transfer From Family and Friends".

Any ideas what I have to change here to let PayPal know this is not a good or service, but, instead, a transfer from family and friends?

Thanks for your help!

[snowshoe]

Unfortunately you can't do what you have in mind.  The Send Money feature is intended to work in a specific mannor and has to done from within the sender's PayPal Account.

[247alan]

I was afraid of that.  Thanks for your reply.

So, is there a way to create a button that is free of fees?  For example, if I were to use the Donate button, and users were sending cash from their PayPal balance or linked bank account, would fees be charged because of the button use?

[snowshoe · Accepted solution]

The only time you don't pay a fee is when you use the Send Money feature and the funds either come from your bank account or your paypal account balance.  If you would use a credit card for Sending Money, you are charged a fee to process the transaction.

Regardless of the type of item button, you are charged a fee.

[decofin]

I was also trying to figure this out.  I am constantly seeing links asking for donations for various things.  I am an individual with more than 1 rare, genetic, debilitating, and incurable diseases.  I was thinking it would be neat if I could have a donate button for various medical supplies and services, maybe even give the donator a choice if they want the money to go towards a specific item or a general "fund".  I am not an organization or a business.  Would I have to go so far as to become a legal non-profit organization to "fund raise" for myself?  I was hoping I could just put a handy donate button somewhere, but in all the help all I can find are things for businesses and not personal accounts.  It's not like I intend this as a source of income, I intend it to go directly for medical purposes, for things my insurance doesn't cover.

1. Do I need to "become" a .org in and/or have a business account in order to receive "donations"?

2. Is there even a way to do this(make some kind of donate button on a social networking site for example)?

[snowshoe]

You don't have to be a registered non-profit organization to accept donations unless you hit the $10,000 mark.  What you do need is either a Premier or Business Account.  You will also need to verify your account by linking and confirming a bank account and credit card.  For each donation you receive, PayPal will charge 2.9% plus $.30 to process the transaction. 

You can create the needed donation item button code from within your PayPal account using the online button creator.  This link explains how to generate the button code for your web page:

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_donate-intro-outside

If you want to put your code on Facebook, see the tips here:

https://www.x.com/developers/community/blogs/ppintegrationsnate/put-paypal-payment-link-facebook

If you plan to use Wordpress, see these tips:

http://en.support.wordpress.com/paypal/