Last night/this morning, the online Harry Potter fandom kind of exploded over
this article. Basically, what happened, is Regretsy was collecting money so that they could send gifts to kids in need. They collected the donations through the PayPal donate button, and PayPal ended up freezing their account for reasons that don't make very much sense. (Such as "what you're doing is not a worthy cause, it's a charity" therefore they can't use the "Donate" button. Uhm.)
The Potter fandom kind of went
BOOM! and people are talking about boycotting PayPal by closing their accounts. While I am
thrilled that we as a community are so passionate about doing right, I don't think cutting off all connections with PayPal is the right answer. There are shops online that you can only use PayPal through - such as Etsy. If you cut off your PayPal, you would no longer be able to support the independent artists on Etsy, which I for one am not willing to do. Some of those people may only use their crafting as their income, and I for one am more than happy to support them, even if it does mean using PayPal.
Yes, I agree that we should fight for change. Yes, I agree that we should cut PayPal out where we can, but because they have such a huge stronghold, it's difficult. So I am going to be cutting PayPal out where I can, and where I can't, I am going to send emails, asking for the website (such as Etsy, or DFTBA records) to find a new way for their customers to purchase merchandise. If there is enough demand, they'll want to change.
