Paying online

[David Blower]

Which clubs accept online payment as a method of payment.

I have recently entered the Shropshire Chess Congress 2015 online as I did the Birmingham Rapidplay and also my ECF membership fee. But these are of course the national federation and congresses.

But with regards to my club it relies on me withdrawing money and physically handing over cash to the club treasurer.

As I am the webmaster of my clubs website (link below if you want to have a look) I have suggested we take the option of allowing the club fees from members to be paid online.

Is it successfully done by other clubs? I guess the main fears will be about hacking etc, I guess I have a job convincing some people.

[Jon Mahony]

Leeds Chess Club experimented with giving the option of doing an online bank transfer for club subs, directly into the club account. However it was abandoned after a season as only about 4 people actually used it, the preferred method seems to be, to turn up with £12.00 on club night and stick it in the treasurer’s sky rocket.

The Leeds Congress looked into setting up a way of paying entry fees online via Paypal, but as I recall the amount of messing about needed was unreal. This probably explains why all but the biggest congresses still advocate a cheque in the mail (or at a pinch payment in cash before the first round).

[Michael Flatt]

Club subscriptions tend to be collected once per year at the beginning of the season and it is probably for the Treasurer to determine what is the easiest way for him (or her) to collect them.

Accepting money payments by electronic transfer is probably the best option if you don't want to deal with cash or cheques.

Why go to the expense and complexity of a third party provider such as PayPal?

[Jon Mahony]

Why go to the expense and complexity of a third party provider such as PayPal?

I'd agree with that when it comes to club subs, however I think if you were taking money electronically for congress entry fees you would need to do it via PayPal - it doesn't look that professional sending someone an email saying thank you for your entry, would you mind transferring 30 quid into this bank account. It would also require a certain amount of trust on the part of the person wishing to enter.

[Kevin Thurlow]

Also, you would hope that the Treasurer and the other club members would see each other occasionally...