Subscribing to the Society using PayPal

You can easily pay your subscription using PayPal.

What is PayPal?

PayPal is a tried and tested facility to make payments over the Internet. Once your account has been set up with PayPal, actual payment is made with one click of your mouse.

Is PayPal safe?

PayPay has been used for a number of years and is now accepted as a secure method of paying for products or services over the Internet. More guidance about on-line safety and security is also available here.

How does it work?

First you will need to set up a PayPal account. Go to www.paypal.co.uk (or, if not in the UK, go to the PayPal Web site in your country. PayPal operates in over 190 countries worldwide).

Once there, follow the instructions to set up a new account. When you do this, the main factor to decide is what you want PayPal to use as your source of funds (when making a payment) or where to place any monies you receive. To do this, you will input details of either a bank account or a credit card, or both of these.

The Society prefers you to use a Bank account as your primary source of funds, rather than your credit card. This is because credit card companies charge PayPal for the use of the card, and this charge, typically about 3.5%  is passed on to the Society. When you pay using a PayPal account linked to your normal Bank chequing account, the Society receives the full amount of your payment.

Although setting things up using a Bank account is straight forward, it is slightly more complex, to protect you from fraud. PayPal will first deposit tiny amounts - a few cents or pence - into your Bank account. You will need to find out what these amounts are, and input them into PayPal to complete the setup. This proves that you are the real owner of the account.

Once your PayPal account is set up, the rest is easy. On this site, sign-in (bottom-left) using your email and your password. If you don't yet have a password, click on the "forgot password" link at bottom left and you will receive an email with a link that will provide one for you.

Why is the Society promoting this method of payment?

The use of PayPal enables the Society to significantly streamline its membership administration. When payment is made by PayPal by clicking within the site, the account records for the member are updated automatically.

By using on-line payments with PayPal, the Society should be able to improve its funding situation and offer improved facilities to members.

PayPal will also enable us to eliminate a common problem with small societies: the fact that many members do not pay their subscriptions regularly or pay the wrong amount. This often occurs with Standing Orders, which are harder for members to change once set-up.

We recognise that keeping track of such matters is not easy or inspiring! PayPal does this for you.

Why should I use PayPal to pay my subscription?

• It's easy and fast – just a few clicks and it’s done. Payments are immediate. It’s quicker than sending cheques or postal orders.

• It's safe and private - PayPal does not reveal your financial information to sellers. Fraud prevention keeps your money safe.

• It's cost-effective – there is no cost to you to send money.

• It’s easy to keep your subscriptions up-to-date, so the Society stays solvent.

• You don’t have to remember to update Standing Orders at your Bank.

• It’s convenient for many other internet purchases that you may make. Most internet sites allow you to pay using PayPal.

What happens when my subscription becomes due next year?

You will receive an email some weeks before the annual renewal date of 1 October. Further reminder emails will be sent if you miss the initial reminder email. The email contains a one-click link to PayPal, where your new subscription can be paid.

What about recurring payments?

Use of recurring payments would double the Society's costs for the PayPal facility. We do not feel that this is justified, since the new site with the annual payment reminder facility operates quite effectively.