How do I make purchases with my credit card?

[Mkhalid]

Hello, I just made my paypal today and hooked up my credit card with it. I don't want to give my credit card numeber to websites because I don't think its safe so I want to buy with paypal but I don't know how to add funds from my credit card to paypal. It says I have 0$ but I have money in my credit card. If I just make a purchase will it take it out of my credit card automaticly and I don't need to worry about adding funds? or is there another way and also do you guys think its safe to buy from my credit card directly?

[PayPal_Adrian]

Welcome to the boards!

You don't have to add any funds into PayPal - just make the payment, and we'll debit your card directly.  Your balance is more like cash on hand, say if you sell something and receive payment through PayPal.  We don't reflect your line of credit with your card, and we wouldn't want to know what it is in any event - only that the charge goes through when needed.

While purchasing with a credit card does come with certain protections, PayPal does too!  And with PayPal, you're not giving out your credit card information to a merchant, so you're inherently safer for using PayPal.  In fact, PayPal shares absolutely as little of your infomration with the seller as possible - name, shipping address (if required for shipping), and how much you paid them.  That's it! 

Thanks!

Adrian

[Barnad]

I opened a new account this week, the same night made an order to a big chain store through Paypal using my credit card. The problem is that Paypal has received money from my credit card and the amount shows in my Paypal account, however, the order is still pending. Called the chain store, it has not received my order. Wonder where that stands now and how to go about changing the status of the order. Don"t like that money sitting in Paypal without knowing how to release it or take it back. Help!

[PayPal_Adrian]

Welcome to the boards!

Congratulations on opening your new account!  The payment that you would have arranged is going through a special process called an Order.  When an Order is created, if a card is selected as the funding source, a pre-authorization for that amount is placed against the card.  It only becomes a permanent charge once the merchant collects on the Order. 

Chances are, if you called in via regular customer service to the merchant, they won't have access to the corporations PayPal account and may not realize that the PayPal order is still pending.  Essentially, they may have only checked their own internal systems, which may not reflect the PayPal order.

If you're not going to complete the Order, or the Order is going to be cancelled by the merchant, start out by giving the merchant a call and asking them to cancel the PayPal Order (not just their own internal one).  If after a few days they haven't, let PayPal know via the "Contact Us" link.

Thanks!

Adrian

[spicygirl4]

When I first started using PayPal for my Ebay purchases, my credit card was billed first, and money only came out of my bank account if there was insufficient funds on the card. Since I have changed my credit card info, all purchases I have made recently have come out of my bank account. How do I set it up that my card is treated as the primary source of funds as now I am afraid to make larger purchases and risk a possible NSF charge at my bank.

thank you

[PayPal_Adrian]

spicygirl4 -

If you have both a bank account and a credit card on file, your purchases will default to your bank account.  While you can't change the default option that is initially displayed, you do have the option of selecting your credit card specifically when checking out. 

When you review the purchase details, look in the Payment Method section and select "change."  Select to debit the card only, and for that transaction, the purchase will be charged to your card.

Thanks!

Adrian

[Sunnbuzz]

I just added a credit card today the first C card in 8 years, I've had my Paypal account that has a balance and a bank card hooked up to it for 10 years. Is there a way to not use my Paypal balance and not use my bank card ? I tried to send my friend a dollar as a test but it takes the money from my paypal balance, if I click the 'change' button it gives me the option of my bank account but nowhere is there an option for my credit card.
I remember about 10 years ago I had a different Credit card attached to my Paypal account and it had to be first verified, does that still happen ?

I just want the option to send or only Pay with my CC when using Paypal when I have a Paypal balance and a bank account attached - Is that possible, and if so why am I not getting that option ?

Thanks

[PayPal_Adrian]

Sunnbuzz -

Oh no, we have vastly improved our card capabilities in Canada over the years.  In some instances we may still request it, but they're much more rare nowadays.  That was quite some time ago, so thanks for sticking with us over all these years - we appreciate your patronage!

Whenever a payment is submitted via PayPal (barring eCheques), PayPal will always deplete the balance in the associated currency first.  This is why you're not receiving the option to charge the card directly.

So, if you are sending $1 CAD, and you have $10 CAD in your balance, it will come out of the balance.  If you are sending $1 CAD, but have $10 USD in your balance, it would come from your card.

To work around the "balance first" prime directive, so to speak, you could either hold them in a different balance (but you'll lose out on some currency conversion fees) or withdraw them to a bank account.

Thanks!

Adrian

[lazdezinc]

Is there a simple way of paying with my credit card? the send money window only gives me the option of bank acct

[PayPal_Adrian]

lazdezic & bala2012 -

If an Instant Transfer from a bank account is available for the purchase, it will always be the default method of payment.  While the default method of payment can't be altered, you can switch it over to your desired funding source on a per transaction basis.  While reviewing the payment details, look in the section detailing your funding source.  There should be a link there to change what is being charged; select your desired option, review the changes, and you'll be able to charge your card for the transaction.

Thanks!

Adrian