Paypal vs Pay at the Door - Ahem!

[ruthlavinia]

I just have to say this. I am a big BIG fan of TLC, I fully agree with the idea of civilised chat over lunch/brunch and meeting nice people and having some 'craic'.
But it seems every event (for the Dublin chapter at least) that is scheduled requires a pre-payment via Paypal using a credit card.
It seems RSVPing is not enough, and that places are only reserved for those who pre-pay.
I understand that some establishments require a prepayment for every person that books a place, but it does seem like a lot of folks will automatically be excluded on this basis.
I have no problem prepaying, if that is what is required.
The only problem is, (and I imagine other folks must be like this too) I no longer have a credit card.

As you may or may not be aware, Ireland is awash in a sea of debt, at least that is what the European Central Bank keeps on telling us. Interest rates have increased at least 4 times since last March.
A year ago I decided to cut my credit card in half. Since then I live sensibly (and fabulously, natch!) by not spending money that I have'nt got. Cue cash and Laser all the time, which is fine.
Most traders accept either one or the other anyway.
Since TLC is opening up in communities other than the US (I am a big fan of all things Stateside), maybe they should consider using something other than Paypal which does not currently accept Laser or Maestro. As far as I can see it only takes Visa/Mastercard or Amex.
Credit cards are not as big a way of life in Europe as they are Stateside.
How about opening a bank account in an Irish bank that people can tranfer funds into as prepayment for events.
Bear in mind too that a lot of office networks will block Paypal, or what it considers to be 'other http sites'.
Thats it!

[Michael40]

Such a clever girl! Right on the money,so to speak.

[Jared]

Hey there - I hear you loud and clear. I think in the future, it won't be such a big deal to pay at the door. Let's get a bunch more events going, and then as the options increase, the size of the events will probably go down and then we'd be better able to take "Walkins." Right now, our only means of prepayment is Paypal - we're working on others, but I'm not sure what the interim solution is. I know Paypal lets you associate a bank account for funding - perhaps consider that? I know it's a lot to ask. It's just that we need to have firm reservations and the only way to ensure that is if people prepay - especially if the event sells out. Otherwise, people might say they are coming but just not show up - believe it or not, it happens. :-)

[ruthlavinia]

Thanks for your reply Jared, it cheered me up, yeah I'll sort something out in the meantime. Probably I'll just pay in advance, the most sensible option. Have a nice weekend, sincerely RuthHey there - I hear you loud and clear. I think in the future, it won't be such a big deal to pay at the door. Let's get a bunch more events going, and then as the options increase, the size of the events will probably go down and then we'd be better able to take "Walkins." Right now, our only means of prepayment is Paypal - we're working on others, but I'm not sure what the interim solution is. I know Paypal lets you associate a bank account for funding - perhaps consider that? I know it's a lot to ask. It's just that we need to have firm reservations and the only way to ensure that is if people prepay - especially if the event sells out. Otherwise, people might say they are coming but just not show up - believe it or not, it happens. :-)

[carol11]

Hello,

Just catching up on Dublin LC posts and wanted to let Ruth (and anyone else sensible enough to chop up their credit cards) know that it is possible to get prepaid credit cards. You top it up like you would your phone. Very handy for booking hotel rooms, flights online etc. Also, in this case, very handy for using pay pal and, unlike a "real" credit card, you don't accumulate debt as you have put money on the card prior to using it. For instance, you put 100 Euro on the card, go to a few lunch club events, buy a return flight to London and voila, it's empty!

Here's the web site, far more info there about how and where to get/top up your card.

www.3v.ie (http://www.3v.ie)

[ruthlavinia]

Carol - thanks, I got one now!Hello,

Just catching up on Dublin LC posts and wanted to let Ruth (and anyone else sensible enough to chop up their credit cards) know that it is possible to get prepaid credit cards. You top it up like you would your phone. Very handy for booking hotel rooms, flights online etc. Also, in this case, very handy for using pay pal and, unlike a "real" credit card, you don't accumulate debt as you have put money on the card prior to using it. For instance, you put 100 Euro on the card, go to a few lunch club events, buy a return flight to London and voila, it's empty!

Here's the web site, far more info there about how and where to get/top up your card.

www.3v.ie (http://www.3v.ie/)