Society of Robots - Robot Forum
General Misc => Misc => Topic started by: robbied on May 28, 2009, 10:32:05 AM
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Hi all,
My name is robbied, new to the forums, and building robots :) I'm wondering if anyone has found a parts supplier that accepts PayPal? I do a lot of online buying (and selling) so I have lots of funds in my account (and none on my visa...., actually I cut it up - long story).
I'm really stoked I've found SoR - it's exactly what I've been looking for, for years. Ever since I was young (when I got my first Vic20 when I was 8) I've wanted to build robots and program stuff.
I've been a computer programmer for 10 years (web dev, ecommerce, lots of programming), and got bored with it. The thought of servo, wires, soldering - scares the heck out of me, but I'm up for the challenge.
I'm taking on the $50 Robot Tut right now, just trying to get my hands on some parts. Your info is appreciated.
Thanks
robbied (Rob)
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Digikey, Mouser, pretty much all major suppliers will accept PayPal. If not, you can always email the company to set-up a PayPal transfer.
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I started down that road before I posted here :( I asked both Digi-Key and Mouser - and neither of them accept PayPal...
Would you mind listing some other suppliers who could provide the parts for the $50 Robot and I'll check them out and ask.
Thanks
robbied
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Sparkfun is a good example, http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php)
Robotshop, http://www.robotshop.us/ (http://www.robotshop.us/)
and if you want COD, Jameco does it, http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001 (http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001)
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you could find a friend, create them a paypal account and send them the money then
deposit into your bank account?
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If you download paypal plug-in it can generate a one-time use credit card that takes money out of your paypal account. However it only works with internet explorer and you have to put in your social security number...
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That would be an idea, but people these days are very hesitant to give that kind of info out. Plus, why would they need your Social Security number?
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um perhaps ebay. Im getting some really good high-torque futaba from a '100% positive feedback" ebay seller.
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Gotta love Ebay for that. Very good idea, and plus you made sure that he had excellent feedback. That be a lesson, look at feedback before you purchase because those nice deals may not be so nice with bad feedback.
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yupp :)
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Thanks for the info. Could you post some info on the PayPal credit card? Is is the eBay credit card - or something different? I'm looking at other pre-paid options for cards too. I just want parts :(
Thanks
robbied
p.s: I'm freaked to buy parts from another site where I can't find the exact model # etc - I don't know enough about the parts to know if I'm getting the right stuff.
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google "paypal secure card"
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i dont know what you mean by pre-paid card, but you can make an account on ebay, and pay for the goods with paypal. This is because paypal is integrated with the ebay system to allow sellers to charge their customers through the paypal utility.
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pre-paid cards exist like Mastercard Gift Cards. There's just like a credit card, accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted, and you can load it up with money from sources like Western Union, and even PayPal. I just need to find a card that will let me load it up from PayPal and I'm in business!
I'll google secure card as mentioned, thanks!
lovely... well net really. I just googled the 'paypal plugin' and see it exists, works for firefox, but is only offered for the US (and I'm in Canada)... so there go that idea. a cool ide at that.
Here's an article about the PayPal plug-in
https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2007/11/introducing-the/ (https://www.thepaypalblog.com/2007/11/introducing-the/)
thx
robbied
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good to hear mate!
i don't like ordering stuff off ebay if they're just small parts as they are normally overpriced
or you have to buy from more than one seller...
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So I bought a Vanilla Mastercard, and it worked great for DigiKey orders. What's cool is with Vanilla cards, you can register them so they have your billing address assigned to them. So this takes care of online ordering.
I don't get to reload the card when it's used up, so I'll just have to buy another card...
Sparkfun allows Paypal, and I found a local electronics shop that sold me most of my components for $8 :) RadioShack was good for the pc board, 6v battery (got it for half price too).
I only had to buy two parts from DigiKey, and shipping was only $8 to Canada.
I'm just missing one light sensor (ordered it locally) - so i'm so close to starting assembling the circuit board!
thx
robbied
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Just a quick update. I got all my parts from DigiKey, SparkFun, RadioShack (locally), a local electronic shop (for the pc board components), and my servos from a local hobby shop. All the prices locally were the same or a lil less (due to no shipping), than buying online - support your local economy :)
I expect my parts to arrive by end of week, so I can start building the $50 robot. It wasn't $50, and I knew that from the beginning - since I had to buy multi-meter, soldering iron etc. But it's great tools to have and I could prolly build an army of robots with the supplies I have.
Just to recap:
- DigiKey, I used a pre-paid mastercard to buy from them
- Sparkfun, I used my PayPal account
- cash for locally bought items
I'm still looking for a pre-paid credit card/gift card that I can reload with PayPal - if anyone finds one, please post.
thx
robbied
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If I am not mistaken, you should be able to transfer funds to a bank account from your paypal! i think it has a limit of $500 per transfer though. I dont know if it will help you in your situation, but good luck on your $50 robot!!
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yes, you are correct.
paypal can transfer to bank account. i have done this several times.
although i cant remember exactly, but a credit card may be required ???
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You don't need a credit card to do that.