the best way to pay - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I am new at this and I was wondering what is the best and safest way to get your payments from clients? thanks

sarah

#2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I accept Paypal (which allows them to pay by credit card among other things) - and checks posted directly to our bank account from clients with a good payment history on invoices over a certain amount.

#3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008

I use Pay Pal too, but I'm annoyed at how long it takes to move money from my bank to my PayPal account or the other way around.. I think its time to find other options.

#4 (**permalink**) 10-23-2008

I'm moving to Google Checkout. The fees are lower and someone else on another business networking site whose business is to set up small biz's payment systems said that he recommends Google Checkout as the way to go over PayPal. I've signed up for it and sent myself an invoice to see what it was like. It provides a link that the client can click on to send payment. I'm not sure about how quickly you can get money transferred though.

#5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

thanks for the info guys I think I might look into the goggle checkout

#6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008

I think I am also going to accept money orders / cashier's checks. Some people are 'old school' and prefer the paper method and I don't mind the mail thing. Also, cashier's checks and money orders are safer than a personal/business check because they had to give the cash up front to get the check so you know it's good. Nothing like taking a check to the bank, it bounces and you get stuck with a $30+ fee AND no money from the client. Burned.

#7 (**permalink**) 12-04-2008

I love Google Check out...I think people also feel safe using Google vs Paypal.

#8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2008

Hey guys!

Haven't you heard of Xoom yet? For me its much better than PayPal (sorry PayPal loyalists). Its cheaper and more trustworthy. You have an option to get it by Cash Pickup (from Xoom's bank partners) in your country, state, city; bank deposit (straight to your bank account and cash delivery (straight to your home).

Hope this info helped you guys! Any questions feel free to contact me!

#9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008

Hi Sarah! I'm just going to add another idea to confuse you.

Some people like Freshbooks. It's an online tool to track time, invoice clients, and accept payments. The downside is that it's only free for up to 3 clients, then for 3-25 clients it is $14/month.

That being said, I'm a big fan of anything FREE and have always used Paypal.

#10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008

I currently accept PayPal and business checks. Personally, I would never accept a money order or cashiers check from someone I didn't personally know or have had previous business experience with. It is true that a business check can bounce, but you have recourse for collecting. All states have a bad check collection process, usually through the attorney general's office, and all banks require identification to even open a bank account and therefore they can usually be tracked back to the owner.

There are a lot of scams out there with money orders and cashiers checks. The forged money orders and cashiers checks look so real that most of the time the bank will actually accept the funds and then when they don't clear they will deduct the funds from your bank account. You have no recourse in collecting because there is no way to track the forged documents. The attorney generals office doesn't collect on money orders or cashiers checks.

And yes, checks can be forged too but you can always call the issuing bank to verify the document prior to sending it through your bank. They are still a lot safer than money orders or cashiers checks.

#11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2008

I have always accepted business checks and PayPal (although very seldom through PayPal). I have never had problems with the good 'ole fashioned "check is in the mail"! I know my clients well and can count on them for swift and prompt payment (luckily so far, anyway).

#12 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008

I agree with the money order and cashiers checks. Too much risk - I also do not take personal checks as it is a straight hassle to get money from people who owe you that way. Been burned both ways a couple of times over the years ;-).

I like PayPal - although I am not a "loyalist". If I can find something that is as easy to set up on a website and handles subscription payments (great way for retainers as I like the fact it tends to make the client give me a couple of weeks notification if they want to quit) like PayPal does without all the convoluted hoops to climb through (also like the debit card feature of PayPal), I would change in a heartbeat.

#13 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008

I currently have Paypal but do not want to use this method. I will look into google as well

#14 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008

I also use PayPal, but will accept a business (company) check through the mail. One client will only pay via company check and he always sends it snail mail.

#15 (**permalink**) 12-11-2008

Kathy, I was curious as to whether you require the business company check to clear before you render services the first time you are dealing with a company as a Virtual Assistant, whether you use a check verification service, etc. Also, I am considering requiring payment upfront as I do not want to get stuck with a worthless check. Is this the norm with most VA's?