This is all very interesting and very disturbing. Getting your own indivudual merchant bank isn't always that easy. Especially in NY, there are specifications that also have to be met and if you don't meet them, you are out of luck. Exotica I am sorry for your situation and do feel for your anxiety. I am also thankful to you bringing this topic to our attention. Unfortunately for us, PayPal is what we have to use right now, although we do offer checks or money orders, which come in handy, cause you still all get your orders filled after you contact us, it is us that is taking the risk waiting to see if a check clears, but that is the risk we are willing to take. But again I have to state that we have not had any problems with Paypal, that is not to say others have not. Just personally we have not. They have done right by us, but I do hear all of your concerns. Again, Exotica thank you for alerting all this to us...it is a good thing to review situtaions all the time. Sharen