Paypal touch-free looks a safe bet...

Post-covid way to buy & sell

PAYPAL has rolled out QR Codes to buy and sell goods in Ireland and 27 other markets around the world.

From getting a coffee to selling secondhand clothes – the app allows customers to get what they want safely, securely and touch free.

Vice President of Global Merchant Services Maeve Dorman said: “Covid-19 has changed the shopping experience in Ireland as we know it.

“Not only do people need security and convenience, as always, they now need to be able to sell and buy in a way that is quick, safe and involves limited social contact.

“Digital payments and this QR code functionality allow for this and could be the means through which small

Irish businesses survive during the crisis and potentially thrive in the future.

“Additionally, to continue Paypal’s efforts in assisting our customers during this difficult period, for a limited time, we are waiving our standard seller transaction fees incurred on for sales conducted using a QR Code.” Using the

QR code functionality in the Paypal app is a quick and safe way to complete a transaction in-person utilising a Paypal wallet, eliminating the need to handle cash.

This allows the seller to minimise physical interactions with the customer, while also limiting the customer’s interaction with checkout technology.

There is no technology to touch or purchase – just aim a smartphone camera at a QR Code that is printed or present on another screen.

For a buyer looking to pay, customers can go to the Paypal app, click send and tap the QR code symbol in the top righthand corner.

The camera will open and customers can scan a seller’s QR code and follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Sellers can create a Paypal-generated QR code.

Paypal is rolling this functionality out to 28 markets around the globe including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, United Kingdom, and the US.

People now need to be able to buy and sell in a way that is quick & limits social contact

MAEVE DORMAN PAYPAL VICE PRESIDENT