This topic has been covered before in a rather contentious thread. Hopefully, this thread will be less so.
IMO, the only benefit of Paypal is to an impatient buyer, because it shortens the time he/she has to wait to receive his purchase. He saves two to five days of mail delivery, and he saves three to five days if the seller waits until the cashier's check funds are transferred into the seller's bank account. So, it's a convenience. From my perspective as a seller, there is absolutely no difference between a cashier's check, money order or Paypal instant payment. I'm not in a hurry for the funds to clear. Therefore, since Paypal instant payment is a convenience for the impatient buyer, the buyer should pay the 3-4% fee for the convenience.
Now, at my bank, if I present a cashier's check or a USPS money order for deposit, and if I ask the teller when the funds will be available for use, then 100% of the time the teller gets approval from the manager for the funds to be immediately available. No 3-5 day wait. I suspect if everyone asked this question their banks would make the funds immediately available. The only downside is the necessity to go the bank and stand in line.
For expensive purchases, sending a cashier's check or money order via Express Mail can nearly as fast, and less expensive than a Paypal instant transfer. However, it requires standing in line at the post office.
So, which method do I prefer? As a buyer, I suppose I prefer a Paypal instant payment because it can be done all from home or office. As a seller, I don't care. If I'm paid with a cashier's check or USPS money order, then I ship the item immediately because I have zero concern that the funds will not clear.
IMO, the only benefit of Paypal is to an impatient buyer, because it shortens the time he/she has to wait to receive his purchase. He saves two to five days of mail delivery, and he saves three to five days if the seller waits until the cashier's check funds are transferred into the seller's bank account. So, it's a convenience. From my perspective as a seller, there is absolutely no difference between a cashier's check, money order or Paypal instant payment. I'm not in a hurry for the funds to clear. Therefore, since Paypal instant payment is a convenience for the impatient buyer, the buyer should pay the 3-4% fee for the convenience.
Now, at my bank, if I present a cashier's check or a USPS money order for deposit, and if I ask the teller when the funds will be available for use, then 100% of the time the teller gets approval from the manager for the funds to be immediately available. No 3-5 day wait. I suspect if everyone asked this question their banks would make the funds immediately available. The only downside is the necessity to go the bank and stand in line.
For expensive purchases, sending a cashier's check or money order via Express Mail can nearly as fast, and less expensive than a Paypal instant transfer. However, it requires standing in line at the post office.
So, which method do I prefer? As a buyer, I suppose I prefer a Paypal instant payment because it can be done all from home or office. As a seller, I don't care. If I'm paid with a cashier's check or USPS money order, then I ship the item immediately because I have zero concern that the funds will not clear.