I Want To Order Something From Ebay

[Tilly2]

I have never done so before.

Is it best to join PayPal in order to pay or is it safe to just put my bank card details on the order?

How does PayPal work please?

I haven't a clue what I'm doing!

[ummmm]

I'd join paypal. You can use it to pay for lots of things, not just ebay, and it's secure.

[Tuvok]

I think you can still use Paypal to pay even if not signed up.

I would sign up - a lot of sites use Paypal to handle payments.

What does the seller specify as preferred payment methods?

[fairycakes69]

I use ebay and always use paypal, Lots of companies now accept paypal and that way you don't have to give them your bank details, It can also be used to transfer money into accounts in most countries.

[whiskeryron]

I always use PayPal rather than a card. What happens when you join PayPal is you register & part of the registration involves you giving them your bank account sort code & number. I have found that this is quite safe & is similar to using your Debit Card but only PayPal will know these details.

[Tuvok]

If you ever decide to sell on ebay, then get paid via Paypal, the money goes into your Paypal account.

Then you have the option of withdrawing the money to your bank account or leaving it in Paypal - then next time you pay by Paypal it will take the money from your account and any extra then from your bank or credit card - depending which of these you have setup to use with Paypal.

[whiskeryron]

When you have completed your purchase PayPal will then & only then will deduct the payment from your Bank account

[Maydup]

I agree that you should join PayPal. Its safe and easy to use. Once you have a PayPal account you can use it whenever its offered as an option online.

No more wondering if a site is safe and no more having to get out your bank details and enter them all in, just to buy a small item. I used PayPal the other day to support a fundraising activity online. I know I wouldn't have bothered if I'd had to give them all my bank or card details.

[Clanad]

As an active buyer and seller on eBay, I'd agree with the advice you received here… with one modification. If you think you might elect to continue using eBay, I's recommend going on the the PayPal site and applying for a PayPal issued credit card. One with just a low limit… maybe $1,000 or so (I'm in the U.S.).

The advantage is that you can use the PayPal credit card to pay for things rather than accessing any funds you might have in the PayPal account (which you have to supply with a pre-existing credit or bank card anyway). I would never put my bank card number or even a higher limit personal credit card on a public site. PayPal has a pretty good reputation so far for security, but if you have your bank card as the source for supplying PayPal with funding for you purchases, you run the risk of having one of your most prized possessions open for hacking, leading to access to your check, savings and other such accounts as you may have... Where as, if the low limit PayPal card was hacked, not much loss and I'm sure PayPal would pay for such loss anyway…

Good luck!

[Psybbo]

Oh Tilly, what are you thinking of buying? I get daughter to buy for me if I want anything off Ebay

[Tilly2]

Bird food, sibs.....nothing exciting!

Thank s to all of you for your excellent help and advice. I am going to go for joining PayPal. I'll join up first and then look at the credit card option, suggested by Clanad.

I will assume that it's the safest way to buy things. Thanks again all of you.

[tonyav]

Sunflower hearts, Yilly ?.

[Khandro]

Tilley; They (paypal) will transfer a small amount of currency into your bank account to check out you are who you say you are, no big deal, just go along with it. Paypal is well worth having imho.

[EDDIE51]

USA paypal is a bit diffrent from UK it is not as easy to get a paypal card, they stopped the basic paypal card a few years back.
When I first started paypal i used a 'top up' card (where you put cash on the card , no credit) it worked fine.

[Tilly2]

Yes, Yont. Sunflower hearts. Thanks to you. x

Thank you, Khandro for putting my mind at rest and Eddie for explaining the credit card bit. I'll give that a miss then.

[Tilly2]

Khandro they sent 1p to my bank account and then an email with a £10 voucher code. Yeah!

[tonyav]

Just sign up with Paypal, Yilly. You'll be fine I use it all the time for Ebay purchases and I haven't had a problem with it yet.

[tonyav]

Crossed posts there, Yilly. I see you have already signed up with Paypal.

[Tilly2]

All done and dusted, Yont. Thank you.

[tonyav]

Well done, Yilly. Your stuff will arrive in a few days.

[Tilly2]

The sunflower hearts and the wild bird seed were £20.00 cheaper on EBay than at my local pet food shop. £20.00

Why haven't I used Ebay before, I ask myself.