[HRBAKER]

I haven't memorized the Terms of Service which you agree to in order to become a user. The "gift" function to my understanding was designed to allow users to send money as a "gift" to friends and family members fee free I think. It is not intended to be used as a way to skirt the fees you agree to pay as a user to accept payment for commerce. Human nature says that if you can get something for nothing then people will find a way to do so.

Then again as pointed out above if you are dealing with someone you know and feel you can get by with no paypal protection then the "payment owed" may be an option. Keep in mind though the seller is still enjoying the benefit of paypal with immediate access to the money and a secure transaction it is just you as the buyer who has forfeited the protection associated with a "normal" transaction.