How do you figure that EMT is a rip off? The sender pays $1.50 and the receiver pays nothing. It is instant, and costs less than a cheque and a stamp in most cases.
I use paypal for out of country purchases, but as you mention, they really gouge on the exchange rates. As well, the person receiving the paypal payment pays fees, especially if the funds are credit card based.
I only link my paypal to my credit card. In the event of a dispute, and if paypal will not help me, I can go to the credit card company and reverse the deal. I can't do that with the bank account, since those funds are now gone.
Also with paypal, you have to be careful with your purchases. If you use it for any firearms (or accessories) and they figure it out (ie: in the notes of the purchase) then they will sieze all funds in your account and try to hold on to them for as long as they can get away with it.
If you want to read some of the horror stories on paypal, go to the
http://www.paypalsucks.com/ website, and you may think again about how you use that service.