F*ing Japanese banking system is now affecting Paypal

[Yakumo]

The banking system in Japan is pathetic as you all know from the other thread but now get this! A new law has passed that effects users of Online banking such as Paypal. In other words, because the Japanese government isn't getting anything out of it then no one should. Take a look at this.

Thank you for being a valued PayPal user.

We wish to inform you that effective 31 March 2010, you will not be able to send funds using the "Send Money" function for non-commercial transactions only, until further notice.

The changes to our personal payment services are necessary in order for us to comply with new regulatory requirements in Japan. This does not affect anyone outside of Japan sending money to any Japanese residents.

Please note that you will also continue to be able to shop online and use the PayPal services for the payment of goods and services as you normally would.

This restriction of services only applies to non-commercial transactions such as the sending of money to a family member for living allowance.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this temporary restriction of service may cause you.

We will update you as to when our personal payment services will be available again.


We thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely yours

PayPal

What a load of shit!

Yakumo

[Bramsworth]

So this just pretty much takes away the Personal tab when sending money? Can't you just continue as you were, just not sending stuff as a gift etc.?

[Yakumo]

Japanese users never had the option to send as a gift. Basically we can't send any money unless it's for commercial items if what they are saying is true.

[ccovell]

It really is bullshit. Japan basically still has the fortress mentality where things can come in to the country to benefit its people, but nothing may be allowed out.

Western Union can't even operate in this country due to restrictive money transfer laws.

[Trenton_net]

That's one way to make revenue. Just force everything to be tax eligible, then smoke a cigar and relax! (>_<);

[GaijinPunch]

What is the new law, and how does it affect Paypal exactly? If they never had the "gift" option then what did they take away?

The banking system in Japan is pathetic as you all know from the other thread but now get this!

Only part of it. It is still far easier to
1: Pay bills of any kind
2: Pay some random schmoe
3: Not get your pussy smoked in commission fees.

Comparing Paypal to the Japanese banking system, I'm sorry, is pointless. Paypal is only good for international transactions. Why not just get a Paypal UK account? You can still withdraw money to your JPN one, but they will fuck you on FX, just like every other aspect.

[defor]

I think in the end, this discussion could go on and on, referencing a pile of other issues with Paypal's international transactions...

I recently paid about 50$ in hidden fees thanks to a dollar to pounds conversion that paypal jacked up far in excess of that day/let alone week's rate...

In addition, there has been a growing trend for sellers to try and bypass the sales fees imposed by only accepting "gift" payments, etc...

[ASSEMbler]

Return of the international money order I suppose.

[Bramsworth]

I think in the end, this discussion could go on and on, referencing a pile of other issues with Paypal's international transactions...

I recently paid about 50$ in hidden fees thanks to a dollar to pounds conversion that paypal jacked up far in excess of that day/let alone week's rate...

In addition, there has been a growing trend for sellers to try and bypass the sales fees imposed by only accepting "gift" payments, etc...

At seemingly random times I get charged for sending stuff even if it's as a gift. Can't figure out why it does that, but I think I read before that Paypal was catching on to people doing that and they were going to remove the option or something. The downside to sending stuff as a gift though is the sender has no protection from Paypal, which makes it hard to request it from people you don't know. Heck, i request it from people I DO know and yet they seem to never listen and still send it as a payment anyways. It's like I may as well start adding paypal's fees to my prices of things now :/

[GaijinPunch]

Return of the international money order I suppose.

The only problem is you're probably only going to get about 60-70% that are supposedly shipped. Just too easy to let it slip by. 3-click transactions have made us lazy.

The downside is that IMPO's cost a small fortune to cash, or they take forever. Citibank & Shinsei have very competitive FX rates, but if you want to cash some type of check or MO, it takes 3 weeks. O_o

[Yakumo]

Here's the full lowdown on why Japanese users can no longer have personal payments.

Dear Mr Smith,


Thank you for being a valued PayPal user.

As we mentioned to you in our previous email, our personal payment services are no longer available in Japan. This change is to comply with the new fund settlement law which comes in to force in Japan on April 1st, 2010.

Please refer to the Question and Answers below for more information about this change.

Q. What are "personal payments"? Give me some examples.
Personal payments are payments made to individuals as opposed to businesses, for example, when you send funds as a gift or living allowance. On the other hand, payments for the purchase of goods at auction sites for example are not regarded as personal payments.

Q. I have a Personal account. Does the restriction on personal payments mean I cannot send any payments?
No. Regardless of whether you have a Personal, Premier or Business account, you will continue to be able to shop online and use the PayPal services for the payment of goods and services. This restriction of services only applies to non-commercial transactions such as the sending of money to a family member for living allowance.

You will continue to be able to use our "Send Money" function for commercial transactions. We have removed the Send Money-Personal Payment tab in Japan.

Q. Does the restriction on personal payments affect all types of PayPal accounts?
Yes. Regardless of whether you have a Personal, Premier or Business account, effective March 31st 2010, you cannot send funds to individuals such as family members and friends for non-commercial purposes.

Q. I’m a buyer in Japan. Can you tell me what PayPal services I can use?
With PayPal, you can:
- Shop online
- Send payments for the purchase of goods and services
- Withdraw funds from your PayPal account to your bank account
- Receive funds from other PayPal users living outside of Japan

Q. I’m a merchant in Japan. Can you tell me which PayPal services I can use?
You can:
- Use PayPal on your shopping carts. There is no change in the functionality of Express Checkout, Web Payment Standard, etc. We will change the functionality of personal payments only.
- Receive payments from your customers
- Send payments for purchasing goods and services
- Withdraw funds from your PayPal account to your bank account
- Mass payment for your marketing activities

Q. If a Japan user wants to send money to his/her friends or relatives, how can he/she do it?
Japanese users cannot send money to their friends or relatives living in Japan or outside of Japan. They can only make payments for the purchase of goods or services.

Q. Why is P2P only restricted in JP, why US or other countries can still use P2P?
The purpose of this change is to comply with new regulatory requirements in Japan. Users outside Japan will not be affected.

We thank you for your continued support.

* To Japanese-speaking customers: The translation of this message is available at the following site.
https://www.paypal-japan.com/info/20100401j.htm

Sincerely,

PayPal


So as much as Paypal are a bunch of croocks this latest piss take is because of the Japanese goverment :( Since I've been in this country I can't think of one thing they've done that I was in favor of.

[Japan-Games.com]

At seemingly random times I get charged for sending stuff even if it's as a gift. Can't figure out why it does that:/

I think it has something to do with where the funds come from. If you use money in your PayPal account then there's no charge. if you use a credit card to fund the payment then there's a charge and you can choose to pay it or have the receiver pay it. It's something like that, can't remember exactly.

[ASSEMbler]

Sale, merchandise

One thimble $500

Buy from relative

Lose money on commission.

----

I would just mail my paypal atm card home and have the folks take the max out each month.

[Bramsworth]

I think it has something to do with where the funds come from. If you use money in your PayPal account then there's no charge. if you use a credit card to fund the payment then there's a charge and you can choose to pay it or have the receiver pay it. It's something like that, can't remember exactly.

I think someone told me that before. Only thing is I only ever use funds right in the Paypal account, I don't even have it linked to my credit card.

[GaijinPunch]

I'm still quite curious as to what this law is.