Adding Funds to PayPal

[ChristianUncut]

I regular buy goods and services that require payment via PayPal - yesterday (09 February) I transferred £1000 from my designated bank account into my PayPal account so I could top up my balance. Today, when I checked, not only had the balance NOT gone into my PayPal account - but PayPal had sent the money back to my bank account. What is the purpose of going thru all the rigmarole of setting up linked bank accounts if you can't use the account to top up the balance. (Incidentally it works fine going the other way - withdrawing money from PayPal to my bank account.) Ideally I would like to fix this problem within the next 12 hours - or do I just spend the money and go into deficit? Thanks

[kernowlass]

Why do you need to transfer funds into your paypal account balance just to buy items??

As a buyer you never need funds in your paypal account balance.

When you pay paypal will CREDIT the seller for you and then they will wait for your funds to transfer from your funding source ie bank account or card.

However if you only have a bank account added then you will have to wait a few days for the funds to go from your bank account to the seller BUT if you have a back up card linked to your paypal account as well then paypal will credit the seller and they will take the wait.

[ChristianUncut]

Hi Kernowlass - thanks for that. Now, I may be being a bit stupid here but you are saying I don't need to keep a float/positive balance in my PayPal account - I can just spend, spend and PayPal will withdraw the funds from either my bank account or linked credit card account etc without charging me interest/extra charges etc? Thanks again CC

[kernowlass]

Sorry late reply, been at work this morning.

Yes is the answer to your question.

I never have funds in my paypal balance as a buyer, i have a bank account and credit card linked.

When i pay it shows you at the top of the page where your money will be debited from and that is defaulted as the bank account BUT I always click on "other funding sources" during the payment process and select my credit card (for extra protection).

Then paypal credits my seller instantly and my funds leave my funding source from a few hours to a couple of days later. 

[ChristianUncut]

No need to apologise - I wasn't sure which timezone you were in anyway. That's all sorted. Many thanks! CC