Argentina (where I live) suffers from an economy as stable as a rusty bucking-bronco in a derelict amusement park, and where the rules have changed every time we get up in the morning. Our options are limited as far as accepting international payments are concerned, monitored (and even frozen) by government agencies, and even more limited (and more frozen) when acting as a non-business entity (such as yours truly).
We also consider that things in niche groups, like ours, are always priced for niche incomes, and very often those who could benefit from something are actually excluded from it. So, we price everything as follows:
- Monthly publication: $3
- Books, collections, etc: $5 / $8
While there’s no hard line here, the approximate word count would be:
- Monthly Publication: 3-5000 words, or more (depends on poetry)
- Books: depends on length, genre, research involved, etc.
After almost 3 years of research into finding some-kind of solution that works for me, while offering you several options, we’ve opted for the combination of: Fourthwall and Atlos.
- Via Fourthwall we can accept: credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, AliPay.
- Via Atlos we accept USDC, USDT, DAI & Monero (Base, Polygon, Solana, BSC & Monero)
If you really, really, really need to, we can offer bank transfers in USD and Euro, but the process from payment to receiving your PDF & EPUB isn’t automated. It might take a long time (anywhere from several hours to a week), there may be hidden fees (from the bank’s side), and some banks may even disallow the purchase. If this is your only option, send me a message, here.
Pros & Cons
Fourthwall
Pros:
- Simple and familiar checkout experience.
- Various payment options.
- taxes included on purchase.
- You get an email with the download link.
Cons:
- Taxes included on purchase.
- You need to share your email (with me. Fourthwall doesn’t use it.)
- Payment processing could take time.
- Data monitoring, and recording.
- Doesn’t operate with some countries.
- From my side: the combined fees swallow 30-40% of the listed price.
Atlos/Stablecoin
Pros:
- Low transaction fees, called “gas fees.” (less than a cent)
- Decentralized.
- Wallet-to-wallet transaction.
- Payment processing in a few seconds.
- No data to track/financial privacy.
- You go directly to the document link in my personal Proton Drive after purchase.
- From my side: the fees are 1%.
Cons:
- Has a learning curve.
- Needs two “currencies” to operate: the stablecoin for the purchase + the native currency for the gas fees.
- Due to ever-greater government regulation, on-ramping and off-ramping now requires proof of identification (KYC), including video selfi. But there are still no-KYC options (peer-to-peer), though fees are higher and so is the minimum amount to purchase.
The internet is changing, and privacy is disappearing. We prefer operating with Stablecoin and Monero because it fits in line with our policy regarding privacy and (greater, but not total) financial independence (including no-KYC onboarding and offboarding). No one can shut down accounts1, freeze transactions, hoard the money, or hold anyone hostage, like with conventional payment methods.
It also leaves us more from the small prices we ask. I was thinking of doing two prices: one for card, etc., and another for Stablecoin. But that kinda takes the choice out of it. So, if you’d like to help us out, please consider Stablecoin, even if you’re not familiar with it, or don’t trust it (I didn’t either). Once you’ve familiarized yourself with your wallet, and made your first transaction, it’s more convenient than paying by any other method.
Should you wish to donate to Fedup Sheep, we have a donations page, with the same payment options mentioned above.
We’re always looking to improve things and should any modifications be made with our payment methods, we’ll update this page and keep Family members informed through our Channels (WhatsApp & Telegram) and newsletter.
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Peace… but until then, make a noise!
Brent j. Slabbert (Fedup Sheep)
1 PayPal froze, and then closed, my business account even before I had a single transaction. No explanation, no means to contact them except through their AI assistant, which was as exciting as speaking to a USB stick. Stripe (the payment gateway of Fourthwall) can freeze funds, and shut down any account should their AI determine, for instance, the content been sold falls under the ever-broadening umbrella of “offensive.” If you’re familiar with my work, you’ll understand my concern with this one, and my preference for Stablecoin.
