Donations and payment change

[ivar]

Hi all,

I just wanted to let you all know that I have decided to only work with Stripe payments and drop PayPal for making donations to the forum.

Stripe is the company that process the card payments. More here: https://stripe.com/ . They are used by many of the "big companies", more on that here: https://stripe.com/gallery

I decided to drop PayPal since they are pricey, and (the most important reason) they could not offer me an invoice for the service they offer. I need an invoice since I do pay VAT (sales tax) on all donations (21%).

Since my store http://www.santiagodecompostela.me/ only use Stripe, I decided to consolidate everything into one provider (stripe).

For donations, you just click the "Pay with Stripe" Button

... and use the next screen that pops up:

No need to sign up for anything (PayPal makes you "jump through hoops"). Just fill it out and press the button.

Thank you all for your contributions to the forum!
Ivar

 

[docpam]

It is like clock work. Almost too good to be true. Less issues than even normal credit card use. Did not even ask for my name.

 

[t2andreo]

Ivar:

I cannot find a DONATE button or link from any page on the forum. Did I miss something?

What us the direct link to get to a donation page? Should that not be featured on top of almost every page? Just an Idea.

 

[ivar]

Ivar:

I cannot find a DONATE button or link from any page on the forum. Did I miss something?

What us the direct link to get to a donation page? Should that not be featured on top of almost every page? Just an Idea.

All non-donating members see a link at the top of every page. Already donating members need to go to their profile:


...and click the "Account Upgrade".

...or use this link:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/account/upgrades

Thanks everyone!
Ivar

 

[Tia Valeria]

This is really good to use. So much easier than PayPal was.
It checked and approved our card too without extra input, which we liked, but @docpam it did ask for 'name on card'.
Thanks Ivar from both of us

 

[newfydog]

I pay for all sorts of things with paypal, and have it set up for one click convenience. I would never pay with stripe as I have never heard of it and don't like to get too much data spread around.

OK maybe for Ivar I'd try it, but no way will I use an service I don't know for anyone else. That's just the state of internet transactions these days.

 

[ivar]

I pay for all sorts of things with paypal, and have it set up for one click convenience. I would never pay with stripe as I have never heard of it and don't like to get too much data spread around.

I understand that you are worried about a new service (although it has been round for a while). Stripe is so simple, I actually find it more secure than PayPal. No account is created, there is nothing to hack into. Transaction done over a secure connection.

This is what the New York Times says about Stripe.

Thanks,
Ivar

 

[alexwalker]

I welcome very much the Stripe. My Paypal account was once hacked, and I had quite some trouble getting my money back, but thanks to a good bank connection (DnB), it was eventually sorted out, and money returned to my account. I also now and then get emails from "paypal" to reinstate my use, but will not use Paypal in the future. You being a computer professional like myself, I trust and agree with your judgement.

Ønsker deg og dine en flott jul (her er det virkelig vinter, se bilder), og skal ta kontakt for å spandere en kald øl når jeg ankommer Santiago i slutten av mai/beg. av juni.

Winter/Christmas in Arctic Norway, present to Ivar:

 

[naplesdon]

I feel like Alex, I am very leery of using PayPal because I don't trust their security. Along the lines of TomA's comments, the interface with Stripe is a bit of a problem. I made a donation and never received a confirmation. I donated again and now I'm a member until something like 2020.

 

[ccmranger]

I understand that you are worried about a new service (although it has been round for a while). Stripe is so simple, I actually find it more secure than PayPal. No account is created, there is nothing to hack into. Transaction done over a secure connection.

This is what the New York Times says about Stripe.

Thanks,
Ivar

I've just used it and it works like a charm. Thanks Ivar.

 

[alexwalker]

I made a donation and never received a confirmation. I donated again and now I'm a member until something like 2020.

Ha ha ha! you are a rock in funding this valuable resource! I shall follow in your tracks!

 

[Kanga]

Well @biarritzdon I for one are happy about that! Looking forward to seeing your posts for a long time to come. I'm wondering if we can say "The Camino provides" ?

 

[alexwalker]

We waste so much money at Christmas time: Useless presents to spoiled people who have it all anyway. Excess food. How about giving away a present that you yourself will benefit from, for a whole year or more?

I am talking about donating a small sum to Ivar and his forum.

I am not sure how long ago it is that I last contributed; somewhere along last Christmas, I believe, but I don't know. I don't care. At the cost of a couple of pints, or 2-3 menu del dias, we have complete access to this haven for us addicted pilgrims. I'll waste no more time, but go off and send Ivar his Christmas present. I hope I am joined by those of you who can afford a small sum, and for the rest, it is completely accepted. Enjoy the environment, education, advice and wisdom shared on this forum.

I am off, trying Ivar's new and simplified payment method.

Edit: Done; very easy payment solution.

 

[koilife]

Ivar --- I appreciate your diligence in supporting the forum in the most economical way possible (21% VAT??? OUCH!!!), and your care in selecting Stripe. I have long resented Paypal's intrusiveness in how much information they hold of me, and Stripe requires none of that, which, for me, puts them in the same or lower inherent risk category as any other retail vendor where I swipe my card. Given their relationship with VISA, I assume their PCI controls are as good or better than the major processors and retailers. Having had card numbers compromised with Target, Home Depot, and Paypal, I suspect they can't be particularly worse.

On the bright side, as my current donation expires in March, this thread reminded me to refresh my donation early. Stripe was straightforward. Thanks!

 

[Angie94]

Donation made....very easy. Thanks for all you do Ivar! This forum is so valuable ~ blessings to all who take the time to contribute. I am grateful.

 

[naplesdon]

BTW to everyone who has posted above, I agree that Ivar is one of the greatest resources on the Camino.
May we all have a wonderful New Year.

 

[SYates]

... I donated again and now I'm a member until something like 2020.

But you would be anyway, wouldn't you? So just one less thing to worry about for a few years SY

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola Ivar - ouch that 21% VAT hurts. I have used both services but usually go with STRIPE, as was indicated Pay Pal can be a bit more confusing. So am happy to comply and "keep this valuable service alive". Cheers

 

[newfydog]

I understand that you are worried about a new service (although it has been round for a while). Stripe is so simple, I actually find it more secure than PayPal.
Ivar

Oh, no doubt you are right---you are an internet pro, while I just muddle through it. I'm just saying that don't underestimate the value of a really well known name like Paypal. Even if it is expensive and insecure, people will go with something they know. Hopefully Stripe catches on. I'm never afraid to make a donation through Paypal because I use it all the time, and already know how to monitor all my transactions.

 

[mla1]

Hi all,
For donations, you just click the "Pay with Stripe" Button

... and use the next screen that pops up:

Thank you all for your contributions to the forum!
Ivar

Hi Ivar, I made a donation last week (it shows up on my credit card bill), but I am now seeing ads when I open the forum.
Maybe it takes a few days for the payment to go through to you?
Thanks.
Mary Louise

 

[ivar]

Hi Ivar, I made a donation last week (it shows up on my credit card bill), but I am now seeing ads when I open the forum.
Maybe it takes a few days for the payment to go through to you?
Thanks.
Mary Louise

Will send you a PM... Thank you!!