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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Need suggestions other than PayPal for accepting payment
I am fed up with Paypals hidden costs of accepting payments here in Mexico from other countries. They charge the normal transaction fee, then an
international fee, then crappy exchange rate, then more to deposit into your bank account!
So does anyone have a better option for us. Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want
me to give them cash to get by.
In this era of technology there must be a better way than PayPal to get paid....ideas please!!!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
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Location: Kamloops, BC
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Quote: Originally posted by shari  | .... Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want me to give them cash to get by.
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If people think you are a bank....just say "NO!"....there is a limit to an innkeeper's generousity/service. I know that some of your guests have
arrived with no money, get a room "on credit", and don't pay until they (maybe) drive through the following year.
While I appreciate your willingness to accommodate, these folks are taking an unfair advantage of you.....what other places would front money ???
Don't believe everything you think....
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Looks like there are alternatives to PayPal
https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=alternatives+to+paypal&am...
or raise your prices just enough to cover the Paypal overhead and perhaps give a discount for cash.
[Edited on 9-25-2017 by SFandH]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Hi Shari, it sounds like you need to adjust your prices up so it covers the expenses added on by PayPal or whomever you deal with. It's not your fault
it costs money to run a business and it's not money that you get to keep... the same as taxes, a cost on business built in or added on to the bill.
Maybe you can have a disclaimer for PayPal usage, (ie. "add 7% for PayPal"). When you have another method to get paid (like a U.S. or Canadian bank
account) for direct deposit that doesn't cost extra, then the client has that option.
I am sure you will get a lot more advice on this!
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by shari | I am fed up with Paypals hidden costs of accepting payments here in Mexico from other countries. They charge the normal transaction fee, then an
international fee, then crappy exchange rate, then more to deposit into your bank account!
So does anyone have a better option for us. Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want
me to give them cash to get by.
In this era of technology there must be a better way than PayPal to get paid....ideas please!!! |
You can start taking Visa or Mastercard...but I think you are going to find that all financial institutions find a way of charging you for their
services.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
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I would also ask on a page that has Mexican business owners..probably better response there.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I got a credit card machine but unfortunately the crappy internet here wont run it....it times out and just wont work unfortunately.
What about Google Wallet..anybody use it?
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Stickers
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 4-12-2006
Location: SoCal
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Shari, I was checking out of a hotel in Mexico where I have always paid with my credit card. They asked me if I would use PayPal and offered a $300
(US) discount!
I was happy to do it but curious about why?
Figured it had to do with exchange rate or taxes or keeping the funds out of Mexico.
BTW it was up in San Miguel denAllende.
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4x4abc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4290
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Location: La Paz, BCS
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you gotta be creative (always remember Darwin) - I have paypal accounts in a couple of different countries. Transfer and processing fees vary. It is
not rocket science to find an inexpensive way for your needs. Have clients pay with minimal fees to an account in the US. Transfer money to your MEX
account when you reach a few thousands.
Harald Pietschmann
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woody with a view
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Posts: 15939
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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I think FB or Whatapp has a feature to send money. Fee structure may be similar to PP tho.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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hola shari,
would there happen to be a western union in your area or close proximity to you ?
would it be possible to have your client send monies to you via western union ?
would there be enough businesses or people to use western union to establish an office if there is currently not one ? i'm not sure if it requires
phones or internet.
just a thought as that's how i send money to my mexican family in santiago, baja sur, and the office is close by in miraflores, about 20 miles
southerly.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
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Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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| Quote: Originally posted by motoged | | Quote: Originally posted by shari | .... Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want me to give them cash to get by.
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If people think you are a bank....just say "NO!"....there is a limit to an innkeeper's generousity/service. I know that some of your guests have
arrived with no money, get a room "on credit", and don't pay until they (maybe) drive through the following year.
While I appreciate your willingness to accommodate, these folks are taking an unfair advantage of you.....what other places would front money ???
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I agree with GED here, it is not unreasonable to make clear to your guests that you have to cover your extra costs since you are in a semi-remote area
where some of the conveniences don't exist. It has never occurred to me to not carry enough cash to pay for my room. If I were in your area and had
an emergency I might ask your help obtaining funds but would expect to cover your costs. I suspect any alternative to Paypal would probably have it's
own issues. Knowing first hand the extreme hospitality you and Juan provide it pi**es me off that guests would take advantage of you financially.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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stick with paypal...its the safest way for YOU and your guests
you need to raise your rates if you feel you are not making money
the big hotels in tj and Ensenada are using the dollar rate for the posted rent and floating the peso rate...some daily some average monthy
its the only way they can stay profitable...a fixed rate
exchanging dollars for guests can be done but their rate will be a lot less than at the border or bank...its the way it is
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | stick with paypal...its the safest way for YOU and your guests
you need to raise your rates if you feel you are not making money
the big hotels in tj and Ensenada are using the dollar rate for the posted rent and floating the peso rate...some daily some average monthy
its the only way they can stay profitable...a fixed rate
exchanging dollars for guests can be done but their rate will be a lot less than at the border or bank...its the way it is
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I thought posting prices in foreign currency was against the law. In fact have see where some restaurants were shut down for doing it.
Has something changed recently?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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I have a posted price in the office in pesos...
as long as its in writing
that's a myth anyway...most Mexican tourist carry dollars...
I think its their saving money...its more stable
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ehall
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Location: Buckeye, Az
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| Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan | I have a posted price in the office in pesos...
as long as its in writing
that's a myth anyway...most Mexican tourist carry dollars...
I think its their saving money...its more stable |
When we checked into the Old Mill in August the lady at the counter said 20 bucks apiece. My friend said how much in pesos? She said "we really don't
use pesos here" lol. We all got a good laugh out of that.
Sorry for the hijack. Good luck shari.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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please don't assume this is "normal"
pesos are way better than dollars in baja
its unusual to hear this...MOST businesses work in pesos
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18398
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by shari | I am fed up with Paypals hidden costs of accepting payments here in Mexico from other countries. They charge the normal transaction fee, then an
international fee, then crappy exchange rate, then more to deposit into your bank account!
So does anyone have a better option for us. Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want
me to give them cash to get by.
In this era of technology there must be a better way than PayPal to get paid....ideas please!!! |
You can set up a merchant account and then accept CC w/ direct deposit to your bank. like pay pal, the bank takes its 3 or 4 percent.
Jack your prices 4 percent, then offer 4 percent discount for cash, to incentivize people to deal in cash. Or simply put up a big sign saying "cash
only!"
Gringos think cash back CCs and CC frequent flier miles come from the tooth fairy - they are not quite smart enough to realize that the 2% cash back
means vendor has raised their prices 4 percent to "give" the customer 2%.
Anywho, cash is great, so offer a discount and people will pay in cash.
And you cash customers, always ask for cash discount price, you deserve it!
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | | Quote: Originally posted by shari | I am fed up with Paypals hidden costs of accepting payments here in Mexico from other countries. They charge the normal transaction fee, then an
international fee, then crappy exchange rate, then more to deposit into your bank account!
So does anyone have a better option for us. Problem is lots of our guests dont carry cash and so they want to pay for everything online and often want
me to give them cash to get by.
In this era of technology there must be a better way than PayPal to get paid....ideas please!!! |
You can set up a merchant account and then accept CC w/ direct deposit to your bank. like pay pal, the bank takes its 3 or 4 percent.
Jack your prices 4 percent, then offer 4 percent discount for cash, to incentivize people to deal in cash. Or simply put up a big sign saying "cash
only!"
Gringos think cash back CCs and CC frequent flier miles come from the tooth fairy - they are not quite smart enough to realize that the 2% cash back
means vendor has raised their prices 4 percent to "give" the customer 2%.
Anywho, cash is great, so offer a discount and people will pay in cash.
And you cash customers, always ask for cash discount price, you deserve it! |
Good advice. I personally don't like paypal..just closed our account. I'd much rather pay in pesos. Shari, let your customers know you are going to
pass on the surcharge on to them for the convenience. Not a big deal in my mind.
[Edited on 9-25-2017 by Bajaboy]
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
Posts: 1593
Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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Worth looking into this up and coming Canadian company that has a billing and payment system that seems to work well for both merchants and customers.
I know several businesses that really like it.
http://thecse.com/en/listings/technology/glance-technologies...
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