What exactly is paypal? Options

[scooter311]

Stop laughing at me (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif)

So what is it, is it safe, and where do I sign up for it? And are there different paypals for different transactions, like for Ebay versus private transactions?

I know, I know - I don't even have a cell phone yet......
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

[lapuwali]

It's reasonably safe. They just transfer money, and can do so from a credit card, a checking account, or even from money they're holding for you. This means a normal person can be paid by credit card w/o the receiver having to do anything other than have a Paypal account. They're NOT a bank, legally, and they have none of the legal or insurance protections of banks, but they do a fairly decent job of handling customer problems.

You can use them for any transaction, not just Ebay. All you need is the receiver's Paypal account name, which is always an email address, to send them money. Works very well internationally, too. I've sent money to Australians and Europeans in dollars, Euros, pounds, and Australian dollars painlessly.