Compared to Merchant credit services, Paypal is a great deal.
For me to have a Merchant credit account, I would need a valid business license and I would pay $30-70 in monthly fees and the same percentage as with Paypal on each transaction.
True Paypal has it's faults but it's also brought financial services to the masses that used to be solely available to professional merchants. It is nice to be paid instantly--If I sell something on Ebay and I get paid with paypal, I can immediatly go the nearest shop and buy a bottle of wine and get some cash back with my Paypal debit card. Much better than waiting a week for a check to arrive and another week for it to clear the bank so I can finally spend the money.
And as for Ebay, it's the biggest online game going with real prizes and real money and a definite element element of gambling. Of course they're making money hand over fist. Buying on Ebay--especially for desiriable items like Amigas--is sometimes like playing high stakes poker and selling is like betting on a horse race. Ebay isn't thievery, it's a very profitable gambling operation.
