Are websites that only accept bank transfers dodgy ?

Simon2015 · 11-07-2016 10:40PM #1

I tried to buy a product from a website but found out they wanted me to pay them by bank transfer and wont accept credit cards or paypal.

Just wondering is this dodgy ? the product I was trying to buy is not illegal so I don't understand why they can't accept paypal ect.

Thoie · 11-07-2016 10:50PM

They're not necessarily dodgy, but I'd be very cautious with them.

Reason for not accepting paypal can be because they haven't got set up with a merchant account with Paypal themselves (not always a simple matter, and subject to anti-money laundering rules like a bank account). Accepting credit cards has a cost to the business - both a monthly cost and a per transaction cost. For small businesses they can't necessarily afford that when they're starting out.

There's no comeback with a bank transfer payment afaik. On the other hand, people managed for donkey's years with paying by cash/cheque without the protections we have today with card payments.

L1011 · 11-07-2016 11:02PM

Unless they're German, yes.

If they're German, they might be but I'd still avoid them. Germany has extremely limited credit card usage by international standards.

Simon2015 · 11-07-2016 11:10PM

L1011 wrote: »

Unless they're German, yes.

If they're German, they might be but I'd still avoid them. Germany has extremely limited credit card usage by international standards.

The website is based in poland.

Oryx · 11-07-2016 11:34PM

Link to the site?

Thoie · 11-07-2016 11:35PM

Simon2015 wrote: »

The website is based in poland.

My info is about 8 years old, so things may have changed, but at that time bank transfer was about 80% of all online transactions in Poland, and I was told it was very common for the goods to be "delivered" to a central location where you'd go collect them. I changed job since then and didn't keep up with the market info after that.

Toots · 12-07-2016 12:02AM

I'd be very slow to pay for anything by bank transfer. If something goes wrong you've got virtually no comeback. I bought stuff from a German retailer before, and they wanted bank transfer but I said no, only PayPal. They charged me extra to pay that way, but it was well worth it because I ended up having a load of hassle with them. One phone call to PayPal had it sorted and the money fully refunded. If I'd done the bank transfer I'd have had no recourse at all.

I'm not saying all companies requiring bank transfer are dodgy but you need to be aware of the added risk paying that way. If it's money you can't afford to lose, I'd look into alternative options.

rubadub · 12-07-2016 12:11PM

Toots wrote: »

a German retailer before, and they wanted bank transfer but I said no, only PayPal. They charged me extra to pay that way.

I have done this with a few german ebay sellers too, I stuck on 4% to cover their paypal fees.

I would want to see this polish website.

ED E · 12-07-2016 07:30PM

I've only ever used a direct funds transfer with three sites: An asian sports retailer(now closed), Thomann.de and HWVS(Receivership). All were very very reputable and with a long history of Irish custom. Never would I opt for it for an obscure or untested company as you have zero comebacks.

At least with a debit card you can issue a chargeback. Be very cautious.

whomitconcerns · 13-07-2016 02:10PM

What's the website

Are websites that only accept bank transfers dodgy ?

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