How do you use PayPal to pay for purchases?...Yeah,I'm late to the party..Lol

[Wanderer]

I've never used PayPal before.I just signed up and am now verified,but I'm still in the dark here.

When you go to checkout,and click the PayPal button,or use the pay with Paypal button,does some kind of PayPal account login occur?I didn't see any place where there was an account number or anything when I logged on to PayPal,so I am unsure just how the payment is done...Wish that PP had that kind of info on their site,as it would sure make it easier to understand for this old timer.



I guess I need to log in again,cause I didn't see any "purchase limits" either.

Next Q.I understand that you can use PP with no balance when it is linked to your bank account or credit card.Would it be advisable to "load" you PP account with funds first,or does it really make any difference?

Thanks for any help!

 

[NCC]

In transactions I've made with PayPal, after you click to checkout you are handed off to PayPal where you then log in with your account information.

For Q2: You may pay with your PayPal account balance if you have any money in it, it seems clear that that is what PP would prefer. But, it isn't required. Even if you have a PP balance, you can opt to pay from other sources ...including, a linked checking account, credit card or debit card.

I hope that helps. Hmmm. Clear as mud, you say?

 

[Wanderer]

Sounds pretty clear to me NCC.

I was a little concerned about using the service without any balance.I had read that PP was slow in transferring funds from the bank account into the PP account,so I figured I would just use it without a balance if that was an option.Plus,that way you don't have to worry about having enough in your account to cover a transaction...more like using a debit card maybe?

 

[NCC]

Transferring funds from my checking account to PayPal usually takes 2 or 3 business days to clear. Normally, I just use my bank's debit card via PayPal. After you've got the card linked to PP, it takes a couple extra clicks over just paying from your PP balance. But, at that point the transfer appears to me to be immediate.

BTW, I do have a Premiere account at PayPal. But, I don't believe that is relevant to this, it has more to do with how you can accept money .. not how you can send it. AFAIK.

 

[Wanderer]

Well,actually I just linked my bank account to PP ,not my debit card.What I was hoping to discern was whether not having a balance in my PP account would delay my internet purchase.I was thinking that if you have the option of paying from your linked bank account,that it would be essentially be like using a debit card.In other words,the purchase amount is deducted from the bank account,instead of having to load your PP account and then waiting for the amount to be available ,as you said 2-3 days.

Now...I'm being as clear as mud.Lol

 

[NCC]

Understood. And, the answer is, yes ... in my experience. As I recall, it takes a couple business days initially for the account information to be verified. After that has been done though, the transfers are immediate.

 

[Wanderer]

Thanks so much for the help NCC.At this point,I see no reason to ever transfer funds to my PP account when I can just use the service to pay from my linked bank account.Makes it a bunch easier,and I don't have to worry about account balances.

 

[BlueMoods]

You can also buy cards at some retailers to add funds to your PayPal account instantly. Still the siplest is to link a debit or credit card, make the bank account the primary source of funding and the card the secondary. That's how i do it and, I have never had a delay. People recive my payment withing minutes of my autorizing it but, it does take 2-3 days dfor the debit to show on my bank statement.