Asking to link Debit or Credit card on purchase.

[MightyMaestro]

I have my bank account linked to my Paypal account, but when I make a purchase, it asks me to link a debit or credit card. Why? If I wanted to link them, I would have done so before. Otherwise, why don't I just make the purchase with the debit or credit card?

[kernowlass]

@MightyMaestro 

When you purchase an item then Paypal credit the seller for you, this is so there is no delay in the despatch of your item. Paypal will then take the wait for the funds to automatically transfer to reimburse them from your linked funding source.
However they only take that 'risk'  of crediting the seller upfront if you pay by...

1. Bank transfer but have a back up card linked to your account as well.
2. Debit or credit card.
If you have option 1 but have no back up card linked then your payment may go as an echeque and you and the seller will have to await clearance.

[MightyMaestro]

So I have to monitor both my bank account and credit card, because Paypal might take the money from either one, depending on the vendor?

[kernowlass · Accepted solution]

@MightyMaestro 

Thats not what I wrote, try reading it again.