PayPal: wearing a dunce hat - HELP

[DaveC426913]

100 million user can't be wrong can they? I am obviously grossly misunderstanding the Paypal account model.

I've opened an account, I've attached a bank account to it (even though I didn't want to, but that was the only option I was offered, just as well that it didn't work), and now I've attached a credit card to my paypal account. I've even confirmed it with their automated phone confirmation. Fine so far.

My question is:

Now what?

I need to add money to my account so I can go buy stuff with it, right?

Nowhere on the site is there a feature that allows me to add money from my credit card. My available balance says zero.


And their help is useless. It's so high level (like with pretty graphics that explain a the 30,000 foot level) that it doesn't tell me what to actually do next.

Help!

 

[Evo]

100 million user can't be wrong can they? I am obviously grossly misunderstanding the Paypal account model.

I've opened an account, I've attached a bank account to it (even though I didn't want to, but that was the only option I was offered, just as well that it didn't work), and now I've attached a credit card to my paypal account. I've even confirmed it with their automated phone confirmation. Fine so far.

My question is:

Now what?

I need to add money to my account so I can go buy stuff with it, right?

Nowhere on the site is there a feature that allows me to add money from my credit card. My available balance says zero.


And their help is useless. It's so high level (like with pretty graphics that explain a the 30,000 foot level) that it doesn't tell me what to actually do next.

Help!

When I used it, I never put money into an account. If I made a purchase, the amount was subtracted from my credit or debit card just for the amount of purchase at the time of the transaction.

 

[BobG]

No. If you've added a credit card account your PayPal payments are normally automatically charged to your credit card account. Since you've also added your bank account to it, you may have to choose which you want to be charged (I never really liked that idea - a credit card at least gives you a little protection).

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

When I used it, I never put money into an account. If I made a purchase, the amount was subtracted from my credit or debit card just for the amount of purchase at the time of the transaction.

Exactly, never put money or keep money in the paypal account. Paypal is a great thing, I've done over 1000 transactions with it and no problems.

 

[DaveC426913]

So, I just leave my balance at zero?

Any purchases I make will pass right through the PayPal system to my credit card?


Man, they are really REALLY crappy at explaining their user account model.

 

[DaveC426913]

I do the PayPal transaction at the store where I'm purchasing, right? I don't promise them some money and then return to PayPal and then 'Send Money' to them do I?

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

Yup, that's exactly right. Some banks don't accept credits from paypal (mine didn't) so that could cause the bank account setup process to fail. But I as well would suggest using a credit card since it's protected against fraud etc.

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

usually when you make a purchase at a website, it will open up a screen where you enter your paypal email/password and then will ask you "do you want to pay this amount to blah blah blah" and you press accept.

Whenever I pay with paypal I check the lower right of the screen when entering my password, there should be a little lock icon indicating that the session is secure ( your password is encrypted )

 

[DaveC426913]

So, how do I be sure that PayPal actually has a credit card that it will use?

Or do I just go ahead and trust that everything's hunky dory and risk the $30 ISF charge?

 

[DaveC426913]

Well, I took a leap of faith. I went to a website and I bought a thing.

I then went back to PayPal and LOOK! A whole new feature has magically appeared out of thin air, showing credit card transactions.

I can't believe that nowhere on their site does it ever actually explain the process a new user will go through to make a purchase.

This is one of the worst user experiences I've ever had. I've never seen a site that so egregiously assumed its users were experienced. And the fact that it involves money and my credit card doublrs the anxiety.

 

[Evo]

Well, I took a leap of faith. I went to a website and I bought a thing.

I then went back to PayPal and LOOK! A whole new feature has magically appeared out of thin air, showing credit card transactions.

I can't believe that nowhere on their site does it ever actually explain the process a new user will go through to make a purchase.

This is one of the worst user experiences I've ever had. I've never seen a site that so egregiously assumed its users were experienced. And the fact that it involves money and my credit card doublrs the anxiety.

Yes, the first time I tried to use it, I had no idea what was going on.

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

Lots of info on their help page if you still have questions.

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_help-ext&source_page=_home

They answer most questions there, but I am sure after you use it a couple of times it will be easy as pie.

 

[siddharth]

I can't believe that nowhere on their site does it ever actually explain the process a new user will go through to make a purchase.

This is one of the worst user experiences I've ever had. I've never seen a site that so egregiously assumed its users were experienced. And the fact that it involves money and my credit card doublrs the anxiety.

I totally agree. I have exactly the same problem with the credit card. I found the help on the website useless.

In fact, I've not yet made a purchase cause I didn't know what was going to happen. So, thanks for the info Dave.

 

[Astronuc]

Well, I took a leap of faith. I went to a website and I bought a thing.

I then went back to PayPal and LOOK! A whole new feature has magically appeared out of thin air, showing credit card transactions.

I can't believe that nowhere on their site does it ever actually explain the process a new user will go through to make a purchase.

This is one of the worst user experiences I've ever had. I've never seen a site that so egregiously assumed its users were experienced. And the fact that it involves money and my credit card doubles the anxiety.

That was my experience. I just use the credit card and I did not attach a bank account.

the first time I tried to use it, I had no idea what was going on.

ditto. That's why I did not feel confident attaching a bank account to PayPal.

 

[Danger]

Strangely enough, I had no trouble using it. Since I don't have a credit card, it's attached directly to my chequing account. The one drawback of doing it that way is that it takes a few days to verify the funds transfer. I've never had any difficulties with it, or cause to worry.