I use it all the time to both send payments ie ordering and also for automotic payments of my websites. I also have my online store set up through paypal. I have customers who don't want to go through the online store just go on paypal and send me money to my email address. It goes in my account and sits there til I send it to my checking account. If I have a payment come out before I move the money the payment will first come out of whatever is there and the balance will then be taken from my checking if needed. I don't know the percentage off hand but out of $20 they take a couple of dollars. Not an exact amt as I can't remember exactly but it isn't bad. You do have to pay for their services and a couple of dollars for a transaction isn't all that bad to me.
When I get a payment they send me an email to tell me the money is there. Then I have to go on paypal and open my account and click on money transfer and follow the directions. They say it takes about 3 -5 days to show up in your acct but it has been around 2 -3 for me. I have no problems using it.
When I opened my first web store I was not wanting to use paypal as I had heard alot of nasty stories. Well nothing is error free. There are things that will go wrong with any way you set up for payment. But if they are willing to work to fix it then that is the key to good service. I haven't had to have any help yet so hope I don't. I have had Paypal for about a year and had no bad experiences. It is easy to figure out and use.