Selling digital items isn't banned at all. They just don't have any protections, so you're more likely to lose a case if you're an artist.

Here is their list of banned items.

I use paypal.me!

Invoices DO NOT protect you from chargebacks, despite what everyone says. Clicking 'item shipped' in paypal doesnt protect and is an auto lose for you as well, as you have no proof you shipped the item.

So I use .me, it's the easiest.

Where I am, goods/services or girl are the only option, they've combined them! But it's still better than invoices.

Ive been harassed online and dont really want random artists having my address?

They dont get my address, I have it turned off and afaik it's never given mine out unless via invoice when I buy something.

I sadly, dont have the funds for a PO box.

Use Invoices

This ensures that your client will not send you 'gift' payment (which too much of can get you flagged), makes it clear what the total amount is, keeps it in your currency, and you can use the notes section to clearly write down what the commission is and who it is of for future reference. It even has a place for you to link your TOS. Plus, added bonus of very clear records of what has been paid in full or not and what it was for if you forget if you use the notes properly.

While it's true you don't have 'protection' for being a commissioned goods seller, digital or not, you can still plead your case if there's a dispute, and an invoice with clear information as to what the item being purchased is and what it is of, can help in making your case should that ever happen. It's not a guarantee but it puts you in a much better place.

A lot of people here have made it sound like you can't protect yourself at all or win a case if you are in a dispute with paypal but it's not as bad as all that. (the only time you're out of luck is if it's porn) You can absolutely fight it and as long as you have clear records of what was expected of your work and you are able to convey that to a complete stranger, then it is possible to have a dispute ruled in your favor.

You can mark it "order processed/service rendered" with shipping service as "non-applicable" under "add tracking info". I've also seen people suggest to add "digital, no shipping required" to the description of the items.

sorry, quick edit: That will still collect the address from verified accounts, though. Unfortunately there is no way currently to mark an invoice as not needing an address afaik.

Edited at 2017-07-11 11:45 pm (UTC)

I meant the client's shipping address, not the artist's. My invoices don't show my address either.

Here's a screenshot of what I'm talking about.
http://i.imgur.com/wbQ7kux.jpg

Its mainly an issue of client privacy, most people would rather not show you their address if you're not shipping them any physical items.

Its been that way as long as I can remember? I think there was a way to do it a loooong time ago, as in multiple years.

http://shit-bin.tumblr.com/post/102578761652

Yep, absolutely. Some of the layout info has changed but the categories everything is under pretty much remains the same. But if you need updated screen caps let me know

I use invoices, since it's still more professional and feels more secure

You can make your terms and agreements explicitly say "By commissioning me, you understand and agree that nothing physical will be mailed to you. You will only be receiving a digital file." so that you can have something to fall back on in case the customer tries to say that "they never received anything in the mail" or something

Also (I don't know if this helps with anything but) once you've sent an invoice and the customer has paid, you can mark the order as "processed". Its different from saying "shipped" or "mailed", but apparently people who sell ebooks and digital stuff use the processed function.

Im not super experienced with paypal, but hopefully this may help :)

I always use invoices. It's more professional looking, and I can clearly state my ToS and writing, "By paying this invoice, you agree to my Terms of Service linked here." I also label each "item" as digital art and then in the description, I can make it a little clearer as to what it is.

Finally, by getting the client's PayPal email, I can show screenshots of them telling it to me and further their final approval of the image as proof in case of a dispute or claim.

This might not protect me, but I feel it's better to be able to label exactly what the client is paying for than leave it up to interpretation with a link.

If you haven't already, give my post a look. I have screenshots that discuss this sort of thing with paypal directly.

http://artists-beware.livejournal.com/960761.html

I use invoices for larger orders, especially interfaces, in the 100$+ range so I can slap in my Terms of Service and what was agreed on. But for smaller commissions, I just ask for their paypal address (if they choose to do it) and take it on from there or just give paypal.me link if they are the ones who ask for mine.

The problem I've found with paypal.me is that it automatically sets it for CAD (I'm Canadian).

A lot of international artists charge USD bc of exchange rates, and not everyone listens when I tell them to set paypal.me to USD on their end, so I've had a $15USD comm wind up being $11CAD.

Invoices prevent this, bc I can set them for USD, so I use them.

Speaking as a customer...invoices are typically a deal breaker for me. I appreciate it when artists give me the option to send payment as a service or to use Paypal.me.

I don't like how some artists will have a section for paying the Paypal fee on their invoices and privacy is a very big concern to many people. I think it's a good idea to be careful with personal details. And sadly, I've heard about some invoice artists getting a hold of personal info, and abusing it.

Example...A person I know requested a commission from an artist and then paid the invoice. The artist decided that they had undercharged and told her that she had to pay extra to make the commission worth their time. When she said that she didn't think it was fair they were changing the price on her after she had paid, they got angry and said since she lived in a nice place, that she could afford their prices. The client realized they had Googled her address and canceled.

Edited at 2017-07-15 03:04 pm (UTC)