A thought on Donations

[doomcooki]

I just purchsed (finally) a shirt from Cafe Press so i can proudly sport LOTGD and a thought occured to me from nowhere

On occasion through reading the forums and the MoTD, people sometimes inquire about being able to make non-paypal donations. Although I know time constraints are often cited, it made me wonder... why not set up a business PO Box and business account at a bank? Then... checks can be directly made to LOTGD and have somewhere to go. Further, since there are server costs, they can be paid right from the account as well, keeping any allocated money seperate.

It just made me think from a Banker's perspective, having done so for many years. I figure if it raises donations enough, it might be worth the time and effort to give it a shot.

Just an idea :)

[SaucyWench]

It's been answered somewhere else before (forgive me, I can't remember where). MightyE currently works 10 hour days with a 3 hour commute on top of it; this probably gives you an idea on why he has no time to code the game, let alone manage other-than-paypal donations. :?

[Pashtet]

Is there a trusted person who could be the recipient of non-PayPal funds, then transfer them to MightyE via PayPal?

I would love to donate, but do not and will not ever use PayPal.

Just a thought. :idea:

[doomcooki]

I have no idea who runs the show - I always figured it was more than one person though... ah well...

I'd offer but you guys don't know me from Joe Schmoe so I don't think anyone would send their money to me.... lol

[Catscradler]

Do a search for "paypal" in the forums, and you should find the other threads where this has been discussed.

[SaucyWench]

I've also heard stories of PayPal hesitence. For a long time I did not accept PayPal when I was selling items (I have an online eBay business side-thing). However, they have picked up their game in a big way and transactions are now protected by insurance, at least on eBay. I think perhaps it is a little different for Australians - we cannot add "savings" accounts and can only use a credit card to fund PayPal, so in the event of a problem I am protected also by my credit card company.

Having said that I personally have never had a problem occur and have been involved in many, many transactions. The VAST majority of those who want an alternative to PayPal say they are simply too young to use it and would donate if they could. I have a GREAT deal of suspicion here. If they really wanted to donate they would ask an adult to do it for them.

I accept PayPal on GemDust and I am looking into the possibility of SMS (cell phone) donating where you just send a text message to a particular number, and the donation amount is just charged to your phone account (or taken from your credit, if your phone is prepaid). Unfortunately the company that looked the best has not bothered to reply... quite a pity, really. I have a feeling that cell donating would open up possibilities to people without PayPal access, particularly in the USA. As to whether anyone would put their money where their mouths are, that's another question altogether! ;)

I haven't had a chance to ask Eric about a similar system for Central, so don't go getting all excited. The fees may prove too prohibitive.

[Elessa]

Is there a trusted person who could be the recipient of non-PayPal funds, then transfer them to MightyE via PayPal?

I would love to donate, but do not and will not ever use PayPal.

Just a thought. :idea:

that offer hast been made by me to mightye, and i do in fact, upon occasion have taken donations that were mailed to me, deposited then transferred to him in the name of the player when the funds cleared.

we hath been talking about a way to do it which would be worthwhile, but so far there are many obstacles in the way.

for instance, players who are sending foreign currency. there is the problem of the exchange rate. not to mention having to track the deposit and the eventual clearing of the monetary instrument (i.e. money order, check, etc.) at the bank. foreign payments can take up to six months to clear an american bank.

elessa is not the banker without reason...

[SaucyWench]

And... based on what I can find online just now on Micropayment SMS (that is, send a text message, have your phone billed) the vast majority of companies do NOT support the USA or Canada. Of those I looked at who support EU, UK and Australasia (more than a dozen) their tariff rate varies from 0.25 to 0.55 PER EURO CHARGED... that's right folks, we would lose half! We're not willing to wear that kind of loss. I found one that charges about 0.20 but comes with a stunning setup fee of 75 Euros and then charges a monthly fee. Based on what I can gather we would never even break even.

Sorry guys, not going to happen, until / if SMS Micropayment becomes much more reasonable.

[Pashtet]

It's me again. I just wanted to clarify my stance on PayPal. In April, they almost completely ruined my husband and I financially, after 10 months of eBay sales totalling over $100,000 and over 500 positive feedbacks with zero negative. It's a long and boring story, so I'll spare you the details. If you're really intrested in the dangers of using PayPal to operate a retail sales business, google "Paypal problems" or visit the site www.paypalwarning.com. I refuse to let PayPal profit one more cent off me even by giving cash to a trusted friend with a PayPal account and letting them pay MightyE for me.

Forgive the rant, put PayPal is the :twisted: devil :twisted: in my opinion.

:wink:

EDIT: Nightwind: without manually taging as url it goes to your admin acess of the page.