Dear WTF Chuck – Still Using Cash & Checks to Pay Friends “Fee Free”

Dear WTF Chuck,

My friend just reserved our campsite for May — my share is $26, as he just told me via IM. In order to pay him, I’ll have to give him cash or a check. Why can’t I just send him $26 via PayPal, which would withdraw (exactly) $26 from my checking account, and deposit (exactly) $26 into his checking account? Why must PayPal charge fees for that?

I think any money exchanges via PayPal below $50 should be free — and heck, show me ads on the 4 screens I must go through when sending out a payment like this. In this digital age, I shouldn’t have to give my buddy cash or check — I should be able to click a button on my computer and transfer money into his account (without fees!).

-LIVING IN THE 18TH CENTURY AGAINST MY WILL IN BUFFALO, NY

This is a new type of post on my Site called ‘Dear WTF Chuck‘. This is a spoof on ‘Dear Abby’ and is for you to rant to the world (or at least readers of my blog) on topics relating to web tech, affiliate marketing, etc. Feel free to submit your own rant using my contact form (select ‘Dear WTF Chuck Post Submission’ as the subject of your email) and use the above post as an example of the proper format (title, question/rant, possible solution, signature that includes or does not include a link to your website).

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  • http://r.idiculous.com r.idiculous.com

    your bank doesn’t allow you to do transfers? ebay would love this feature. sell an item for $300, just send me 6 $50 dollar deposits via paypal. i agree that money should be cheaper if not free to move but i doubt it will happen considering that is their business model (fees)

  • http://blog.stevepoland.com/idea-94-dear-wtf-aka-dear-abby-for-techies/ » IDEA #94 – Dear WTF (aka “Dear Abby for Techies”) – By Steve Poland – web startup ideas and brainstorms, straight up! (formerly Techquila Shots)

    [...] an example and here’s [...]

  • http://creditwell.net jb

    Good idea Steve. I have recently completed the build of a web application that handles payments from patient accounts to their medical provider.

    It’s essentially what you are writing about here. I could modify it for a version that is consumer to consumer. Make it free ( or .99 per transaction) and get it moving. I think the list would grow quickly.