BBTS Question

[SkyWarp91]

Hi, just got a question RE: Big Bad Toy STore.

They offer Direct Debit and Paypal. Which one is safer/better? I'd prefer not to link up my paypal to my direct debit card so with Paypal I do the old' money transfer which takes longer but I can trust it.

[Tober]

They're both safe. Direct Debit is better for BBTS tho.

Be sure to read up on BBTS's cancellation policies tho if you are a new customer.

[UltraMarginal]

They're both safe. Direct Debit is better for BBTS tho.

Be sure to read up on BBTS's cancellation policies tho if you are a new customer.

+1 what Tober Said.

[jaydisc]

I don't understand. I can't see a Direct Debit option in BBTS's interface. Do you mean to directly give them a credit card number as opposed to using PayPal as a middle man?

[UltraMarginal]

I don't understand. I can't see a Direct Debit option in BBTS's interface. Do you mean to directly give them a credit card number as opposed to using PayPal as a middle man?

That's what I do, though it's a debit type "credit card".

Also, Use the Pile of loot option, save a fortune on postage.

[jaydisc]

If I understand correctly, credit card (even if it's a "debit" credit card) is always the best option. There is little to no protection for doing a bank transfer to PayPal, and then paying via PayPal. You are MUCH better off attaching your "debit" credit card to your PayPal account and funding transactions with that. Then you get credit card purchase protection.

As to the difference between a directly-entered Credit (or "debit") Card vs. a Credit (or "debit) Card FUNDED PayPal transaction, there's little to no difference, except as Tober points out, BBTS probably pays less commission to their bank then the 3.4% PayPal socks them for.

[SkyWarp91]

If I understand correctly, credit card (even if it's a "debit" credit card) is always the best option. There is little to no protection for doing a bank transfer to PayPal, and then paying via PayPal. You are MUCH better off attaching your "debit" credit card to your PayPal account and funding transactions with that. Then you get credit card purchase protection.

As to the difference between a directly-entered Credit (or "debit") Card vs. a Credit (or "debit) Card FUNDED PayPal transaction, there's little to no difference, except as Tober points out, BBTS probably pays less commission to their bank then the 3.4% PayPal socks them for.

But if I use a Debit Card, what's to stop them from debiting out all my money in my account? Is there some sort of protection where I have to approve the debiting first? THat's my main concern. Sorry, I'm just new to cards.

With paypal, when I transfer money paypal sends me an email first before the transaction happens so I know that money is going over there.

[Tober]

But if I use a Debit Card, what's to stop them from debiting out all my money in my account? Is there some sort of protection where I have to approve the debiting first? THat's my main concern. Sorry, I'm just new to cards.

With paypal, when I transfer money paypal sends me an email first before the transaction happens so I know that money is going over there.

Yeah, I'm assuming you mean a Debit Card as opposed to Direct Debit (bank to bank). :o

Jaydisc is a useful authority on PayPal and payment options from what I've seen. :cool:


Ultimately Credit Card abuse is extremely unlikely* through BBTS. You have an account and you can see what you've ordered, you get email confirmations too (of your order, not to proceed through checkout like with PayPal). You will be automatically billed when you place the order or it is confirmed or a pre-order arrives in stock. If something shows up on your bank statement that you don't think should be there then you can check against your BBTS account and email notifications.

I don't think BBTS give you the option of using PayPal anyway, at least not for new users. Your final line of defense weather using PayPal or Credit/Debit is a 'charge back' - if your credit card company sides with you they will withdraw the funds from the shop's account and charge/fine/penalise them too.


* Which I would have also said about Sony, so even the most secure services can be compromised.

[SkyWarp91]

Yeah I had a further look into the cards. So good thing credit card fraud can't really happen if you're not protective/keep alert of what's going on. This was all one big worry for me as I had my savings linked to my direct debit card (savings had basically nothing in it though lol).

What I've done now though is setup two different accounts where one is linked to a direct debit card used only for buying toys online and such. The main savings account would now be safe as there's no exposure to online stores but even if the toy spending account does get compromised, they'll barely be any dough in it.

Was this a better move?

[Zippo]

I always use Paypal with BBTS .. the payment is INSTANT rather than waiting 2-3 days for the payment to clear which when you are trying to make sure you ship an order under NZ's customs limit can be a lifesaver.

[jaydisc]

The best thing to do is read the product disclosure statement that comes with your visa debit card. I've had numerous such cards over the years, and they've all been the same, but you never know, things may have changed, and I'd hate to give you bad advice.

On top of my own [relatively extensive] experience with credit/debit cards, I've integrated countless payment gateways for websites that process cards, and I'm also a certified Paypal developer (which means my name is on a webpage at Paypal.com and I get a lot of spam as a result :p)

Regardless, usual disclaimers apply.

1. In my experience, if you have a Visa or Mastercard "debit" card, you are afforded all the same purchase and fraud protection that comes with a Visa or Mastercard "credit" card. So, when I say "credit card", I'm referring to both.

2. When you use such a card with an online purchase, one where you don't sign, it's called a "Card Not Present" transaction. If there is a dispute for such a transaction (e.g. fraud or goods not received), the burden is entirely on the merchant to prove you knowingly requested and received the goods.

3. Also, with both Visa debit and Visa credit cards, with transactions I've disputed, the disputed amount is always credited to my account as soon as the dispute begins. If the dispute would have been found in my opponent's favor (never has), the money would have been re-withdrawn at the close of the dispute.

4. Even if you use this credit as a Paypal funding source, all of the above still apply.


But if I use a Debit Card, what's to stop them from debiting out all my money in my account? Is there some sort of protection where I have to approve the debiting first? THat's my main concern. Sorry, I'm just new to cards.

Most websites don't actually ever see your credit card. When you press submit after entering it, their web server sends it to their bank, their bank comes back with a Yay or Nay, and a transaction number. iTunes, Amazon, Sony and a few others do store your card. For them to do this and maintain their contracts with Visa/MC, they have to be audited and certified. In light of Sony, this actually doesn't mean much. But unless BBTS lets you STORE your credit card, instead of asking for it every time you make a payment, no one who works for BBTS will likely be able to see your credit card number.

However, let's say BBTS, their processor, or the douchebag that installed a keystroke recorder on your PC, do in fact get your card number and use it maliciously, just see opening points #2 and #3.


With paypal, when I transfer money paypal sends me an email first before the transaction happens so I know that money is going over there.

So, does this mean that before you go to the merchant, you login to Paypal and choose "Add Funds", then wait 3-5 days until Paypal says the money is there, and then you go to the merchant, say you want to pay with Paypal and use your now existing balance?

OR, do you just go to the merchant, choose Paypal, pay by eCheque (aka Bank Trasfer), and let Paypal then suck the exact amount out of your bank account and give it to the merchant?

If it's the first one, you will probably get some additional purchase protection from your bank. Otherwise, you will only have Paypal dispute protection, which I've had bad experiences with, and am not fond of. If your choice is these two, I'd definitely do the former.


What I've done now though is setup two different accounts where one is linked to a direct debit card used only for buying toys online and such. The main savings account would now be safe as there's no exposure to online stores but even if the toy spending account does get compromised, they'll barely be any dough in it.

Was this a better move?

I guess it all depends on how much you're talking about (which I don't need to know). It certainly can't hurt. However, if you have created a dedicated transactional bank account for toy purchasing, add that Visa debit card as a credit card to your Paypal account and fund all transactions with that. The separate bank account protections your savings, you'll now have instant purchase ability as well as the maximum possible purchase protection.

Was that all confusing enough? :D


I always use Paypal with BBTS .. the payment is INSTANT rather than waiting 2-3 days for the payment to clear which when you are trying to make sure you ship an order under NZ's customs limit can be a lifesaver.

Remember, the speed of Paypal depends on how you fund the transaction as well as whether you have a credit card attached to the account.

[Zippo]

Remember, the speed of Paypal depends on how you fund the transaction as well as whether you have a credit card attached to the account.

New Zealand accounts can only have debit/credit cards or Paypal balance.
So, instant payment

[jaydisc]

Cool. However, putting your credit card directly into BBTS (bypassing Paypal) should also be instant.

[Zippo]

Cool. However, putting your credit card directly into BBTS (bypassing Paypal) should also be instant.
Its not, it processes for a day or so.

[SkyWarp91]

Okay so I got another question about BBTS - I opened a Pile of Loot for some preordered items + an in-stock item. All of the items are intended to be in the Pile of Loot, however only the in-stock item is visible while the preorders are not.

Does this mean that the preorder items, when they become instock will then be automatically moved into the Pile of Loot or do I have to manually move them over?

I could ask Customer Service this question but I have been bothering them quite a bit regarding some previous replacement items.

[uteiki]

Yes it gets automatically moved to ur pile of loot after u have paid for them. If you have a credit card with them, ur card will be automatically be charged.

[SkyWarp91]

Yes it gets automatically moved to ur pile of loot after u have paid for them. If you have a credit card with them, ur card will be automatically be charged.

Oh sweet, thanks mate.

[UltraMarginal]

Yes it gets automatically moved to ur pile of loot after u have paid for them. If you have a credit card with them, ur card will be automatically be charged.

yep, it's quite a good system, even if they are a little more expensive sometimes.

[canofwhoopass_87]

The idea of the "pile of loot" option is great - but you're really not saving a whole lot. I had several items sitting in my pile for months and ended up just shipping it without adding in any more items. Everything I added to the pile just jacked up the shipping cost anyway.

Adding a G1 Thrust to a sizeable parcel (which I had already forked out $50 to ship express) increased shipping price by $7. I could've just bought it off ebay and had it shipped on its own for that.

[Golden Phoenix]

The idea of the "pile of loot" option is great - but you're really not saving a whole lot. I had several items sitting in my pile for months and ended up just shipping it without adding in any more items. Everything I added to the pile just jacked up the shipping cost anyway.

Adding a G1 Thrust to a sizeable parcel (which I had already forked out $50 to ship express) increased shipping price by $7. I could've just bought it off ebay and had it shipped on its own for that.


It works better if you are constantly adding things. Or adding small things to a big pile. There have been plenty of times where I added something and shipping price was left the same.

[UltraMarginal]

If you're using UPS air service, it is really expensive for a few items, but if you build up your pile of loot with a lot (15-30 figures/items) economy of scale takes over and it works out very cheap for postage. my last shipment was about $6 per item. I had a lot of deluxes. :o

they calculate it along the lines of a base amount plus about $4 per pound. their weight estimates are a bit generous though.

If you're only going to ship 5 items it's going to be expensive either way.

[MindsetOverhaul]

i'd like to recommend Robot Kingdom. Shipping is from hongkong which is cheaper and their prices on figures are almost always cheaper. their only downfall is that they don't have a 'pile of loot' system yet. i have ongoing email tennis for months with one of the staff about starting a stockpile program so hopefully soon. i do use BBTS quite often and also TFSource and havent had problems with either one. i just like Robot Kingdom more

[VGMStudios]

i'd like to recommend Robot Kingdom. Shipping is from hongkong which is cheaper and their prices on figures are almost always cheaper. their only downfall is that they don't have a 'pile of loot' system yet. i have ongoing email tennis for months with one of the staff about starting a stockpile program so hopefully soon. i do use BBTS quite often and also TFSource and have had problems with either one. i just like Robot Kingdom more

I agree. I like to use RK a little more then BBTS.
Though I do find etoysjapan to be the cheapest on the net for a lot of other things.
But I have nothing bad to say about BBTS. Always top notch service. They even let me exchange a few accessories from one of my figures becuse they where damaged. How great is that!!!

VGM out...

[SkyWarp91]

Mention RK in a BBTS thread again and I'll , I'll...

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By the way, I have another question:

What happens when a Pre-Order you put down does not arrive in-house by the expected date?

[tinyJazz]

What happens when a Pre-Order you put down does not arrive in-house by the expected date?

The arrival date just gets pushed back, you get charged for it when it's in stock.

[MindsetOverhaul]

Mention RK in a BBTS thread again and I'll , I'll...

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LOL.

i just edited my previous post, it was supposed to say haven't had problems with BBTS or TFSource.
BTW, products are often pushed back for whatever reason. I've been waiting for the '86 Movie adaption for more than 12 months, i guess it's just out of print.

may i ask, do you not like the unmentionable online action figure merchants or is it just the thread derailer?
i'd like to know if they did something wrong

[SkyWarp91]

LOL.

i just edited my previous post, it was supposed to say haven't had problems with BBTS or TFSource.
BTW, products are often pushed back for whatever reason. I've been waiting for the '86 Movie adaption for more than 12 months, i guess it's just out of print.

may i ask, do you not like the unmentionable online action figure merchants or is it just the thread derailer?
i'd like to know if they did something wrong

More of a thread derailer lol, they didn't do anything wrong. Never shopped at them before.

[tinyJazz]

I think RK's recent run of messed up orders and poor communication may put some people off. :p
Although, when I have had a problem with them, I have found them to be very accommodating once you get a hold of someone.

I've never needed to contact bbts over anything, what's their customer service like?

[Golden Phoenix]

I think RK's recent run of messed up orders and poor communication may put some people off. :p
Although, when I have had a problem with them, I have found them to be very accommodating once you get a hold of someone.

I've never needed to contact bbts over anything, what's their customer service like?

Good. I had a figure missing something and they said they would send me a new one.

Because I had pile of loot as active they just started me up a new pile and had the figure and shipping already paid for. When I added some stuff to it the shipping was cheaper because the initial shipping had already been paid for.
They even let me keep the other figure they sent me that was missing a sword.

[MindsetOverhaul]

SkyWarp91: Derailers suck, sorry mate.

i sincerely doubt you'll have any serious issues with BBTS.

i've got a $500plus order on the way ATM and i've come home from work a week early so i'm pretty anxious.
despite of my prior recommendations, i can safely say i've spent several hundreds more at BBTS than anywhere else

[UltraMarginal]

I've had a pre-order that went from month to month for a few months, I asked them what the story was and they kept me up to date. it eventually turned up.

I had another figure that was damaged out of the box, they refunded it and it's postage cost as a store credit.