Using Paypal to collect for a leaving present for a work colleague - can it be done?

[NigelRogers]

I've only ever used Paypal to make payments. But now I and various colleagues - spread around London - want to make a collection for a leaving present. Can I use Paypal for this purpose? Is it any different from 'making a sale'?

Also: is there a British equivalent to ChipIn (http://www.chipin.com/) which does seem to only work in US Dollar denomination but otherwise seems the perfect add on to use with Paypal for this sort of thing.

All advice gratefully received. . 

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

You can use the personal > gift option for your friends to send you money.

Send money > select the personal and not the purchase tab > gift payment.

TWO important things.

1. Make sure they imput your email addy very carefully as if they make a mistake you may not be able to recover gift payments.

2. To make sure you don't pay a fee they need to fund the payment from their paypal balance or bank account AND NOT A DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD.

[NigelRogers]

Thanks for the response- but it looks like I have to specify the amount to be gifted using this method. Clearly this would be inappropriate when different people may wish to give different amounts. Am I misunderstanding something?

[kernowlass]

No they go to send money etc etc and they can imput how much to send you.

Just make sure they understand what to do. 

[NigelRogers]

Many thanks for your help. It's now clear to me.