PayPal. Most people use it. Most people hate it. Any good alternatives?

I want to start using paypal for merchant services but i've heard so many horror stories about them. I was wondering if anyone had any good alternatives? Preferably international, or North America at least. If your answer is that there aren't any good options for a competitor, what is your advice to not get screwed over by paypal? (such as holding of large quantity of money) Can I take money out as soon as I get it? Can I ensure paypal can only deposit funds, and not withdraw them?