Many FAOL buyers and sellers use Paypal to pay for items bought and sold here, and elsewhere (I'm referring to items other than Ebay transactions).

Some sellers ask for an additional amount (or a % of the selling price) when Paypal is used to cover Paypal's fees. I haven't generally asked for an addional amount on items I've sold, but have simply absorbed Paypal's fees in my net selling price.

However, you can pay for a purchase though Paypal and not incur any fees if you code the payment as a personal payment. There is no Paypal Purchase Protection on personal payments if the buyer does not ship the item after you pay for it, for example, but after reading Paypal's Legal Agreements I'm not sure you'll have this protection anyway.

Do any of you make payments for purchases through Paypal as personal payments? Is there any downside in doing it?

John