Mark said:
Have you had any other problems there Alex , or do you feel overall it's just a much better choice over PP ?
This was the first time I had a problem. I use them since May last year. I think that I did too many transactions over them and the regulations of the EU are very strict.
With PP, personally I had very bad experiences. I could not verify my EPP code, as I got one code on my bank statement that did not worked. I learned that this was a problem with the numbers received by my bank, so I was not the only one. I was stupid enough to try to use it 3 times, and voila my account got blocked. I emailed them sending my ID, credit card statement and my electricity bill. I got a response that I need to submit also the bank statement from another card I tried to use (but that did not work at all because it was VISA Electron and that is not used for e-transactions, only for inbound ones).
After I submitted that (a little late on my side), and emailed them again, I got no response. My first documents I submitted were not stored I think (I just suppose this), because they emailed me some flat automatic email that I need to lift my limits by submitting my ID, utility bill etc). I emailed them back that I already did this, and asked them (politely) to look into that issue, and lift my account limitation. Then, after a long time, I got another automatic email that my access is limited, and I shall submit some documents. Again I was sending them an email in which I reminded them that I already sent all my personal info. A PP rep emailed me back in a week showing me the steps I need to take to lift the limit (send ID, bank statement, utility bill). At this time, I sent them an email (not polite email), yielding about their incompetency. This was more than a month ago or so. I did not hear back from them. I do not even care, since they are a company that does nothing to protect domainers in smaller transactions. I will not even bother with them in the future though I know I will loose many sales, because internet business is centered around PP.
As a sidenote, I am from Romania, and the level of scams around here is very high. I understand their concerns, and I understand the concerns of every company and individual that deals through internet with Eastern European parties. But this was totally incompetent. And I won't use them anymore even if I will have the chance to.
On the other hand MB was really professional. They have some problems too, the account limit is quite small till somebody verifies his identity with them, and one of the biggest problems - not everybody uses them, or even bothers to register with them. I had many buyers backing out of deals because they did not read my bold statement in my sales threads that I accept MB only.
On the other hand, I feel really secure with them, no chargebacks are possible (to my knowledge), they have a cheap escrow service (1% of the transaction - ideal for domainers), mass payment option, and their interface is quite good.
And a customer support that solves your issue in 1 hour ... is something really refreshing.
advaita said:
Is MB used by many people ? Does it offer a viable solution for online transactions given the market dominance of PP. The bad news and horror stories surrounding PP are quite alarming.
This is its backside. It is only used by about 4 million people, and mostly from Europe.
italiandragon said:
I have not used MoneyBookers yet but I did not remember that was totally safe.
How come they can`t chargeback?
Thanks
Because you cannot pay with your cc directly, but have to deposit a payment in your MB account before sending it to another party.
I think that even with PP, if you pay with your Paypal funds one cannot make a chargeback, only if they pay with their cc directly. In fact it is not PP who has the fault, but the credit card companies that allow chargebacks easily.
But I am not sure on my answer.
This is written on their site:
All Moneybookers payments are Irreversible...
Once you are paid, you stay paid! Moneybookers is a "hard" currency and transactions are NOT reversible. Credit cards are a "soft" currency because transactions can be reversed. This leaves the merchant in a disadvantageous position because it is usually not practical to retrieve the goods once control has been given to the buyer.Instant and irreversible payments are thus advantageous features of Moneybookers payments.
NO charge back risk for merchants
We do not pass on charge backs to the merchant but absorb them ourselves. We reserve, however, the right to withdraw this policy without notice for any particular merchant who we determine is not exercising due diligence or is operating in a way which results in higher than normal exposure.
So they basically hold a right to make a chargeback, but in special conditions.
