User beware: Paypal user experience does not warn you about Cash Equivalent Fees

[anonymousetoo]

Paypal apparently codes some transactions as cash advances. However I can see no warning to the user that the transaction will be coded as such and that as a result you will be charged more by your bank. I recently paid for a something I purchased online for $100. I sent that $100 to the seller just as I normally would with my credit card, thinking that Paypal would charge the seller as usual for the transaction cost. Instead, Paypal coded it as a cash advance and my bank charged me an additional $10. 

I contacted Paypal support and they were basically really curt, offered no help and basically said they do not see the $10 fee on their end. 

Is there something I am missing in the fine print? This experience has really soured me on Paypal and Paypal has now dropped to my least preferred payment method. 

[kernowlass]

@anonymousetoo 

Your bank charged you, Paypal are not responsible for what banks or card issuers charge you. If its not on the Paypal site as a fee then they haven't charged you anything.

[anonymousetoo]

Your response while technically accurate is incorrect. I searched the forums and this issue has been going on for years. Paypal positions itself as an easy way to pay. Yet, their user experience gives the user no warning that they will code a transaction in a way that might cause VISA and their issuing banks to charge additional fees. PayPal knows full well that this is going on and yet does not notify the user. That is a poor user experience which leaves a customer feeling ripped off. To be clear, I did not initiate the transaction through my bank. I initiated it through PayPal. It is up to them to disclose fees that might be charged to me or else do not pretend to be a safe and convenient way to pay. They messed up and should do something about it.

[kernowlass]

@anonymousetoo 

FEES are clearly listed on the paypal site.

Its up to you to know what your bank or card issuer will charge you.

[anonymousetoo]

Again, perhaps I am not communicating the issue correctly or you are not understanding the issue.

Paypal is failing its users on communicating at the time of the transaction on the whole cost of that transaction. It is completely useless if that requires "buyer beware" to read fine print that Paypal lawyers have put in a CYA document listing potential FEES.

Paypal should be putting a big large letter warning when a transaction is likely to result in additional fees from a VISA bank. That is a abysmal failure on Paypal's user experience. Do you see the issue or are you simply interested in defending Paypal's legal position?

[kernowlass]

@anonymousetoo 

*whatever*

[anonymousetoo]

Guess every forum has its share of colorful senior citizens. Thanks for being so very helpful 🙂

You are doing a great job for the Paypal brand. 

Real issue here folks. Anybody have answers? 

[kernowlass]

@anonymousetoo 

*whatever*

[anonymousetoo]

Could you perhaps quit while you are behind? I'd like to get some real answers please. Not trying to be rude but you are not adding anything new here. Move on. 

[kernowlass]

@anonymousetoo 

*whatever* !!