Basic eBay Paypal question

SDCollector

As I browse through eBay I've noticed some sellers clearly state that they accept credit card payments through PayPal. However many other sellers just say check, money order, or PayPal and don't leave any details about the PayPal option. It kind of leaves me with the impression that the seller doesn't accept credit card payment. But that isn't necessarily true, right?

I assume if the seller just says PayPal without any details, it means I can use the PayPal Send Money option and send money to the seller's email address and still use my credit card to pay for the item (under PayPal's Send Money option). Is that correct?

291fifth

If in doubt you should email the seller. Many sellers don't accept credit card payments thru PayPal. This is an area where PayPal needs to clarify its system.

SDCollector

Yes, I'll definitely contact the seller. But I'm still curious. Under PayPal's Send Money option, does it even matter to the seller if I pay with credit card or cash?

Steve27

I would assume that if the seller says PayPal without any caveats, then credit card payment is fine (I don't think you need to ask).

ccrdragon

Yes, it matters to the seller if you pay with a credit card for 2 reasons - first, they have to have the premier account to accept credit cards (most casual sellers don't have the premier account) and second, it costs them more in fees if you use a credit card.

bearcave

According to paypal:

Personal accounts allow consumers to send money to anyone with an email address. Personal account holders may also receive non-credit card funded payments. Personal accounts are reserved for individual use only.

Personal accounts are free, but can't accept credit cards.

This is why some can't accept credit cards through paypal if I am reading this right.


If you have a business or premier account, here is what they say on their website:

Business and Premier accounts have access to our premium services, including the ability to accept credit card payments, 7 day-a-week access to our customer service call center, debit cards, high yield earnings through our money market fund, and a comprehensive suite of selling tools such as the PayPal Shopping Cart and Subscriptions and Recurring Payments.

So with a premier or business account you can accept credit cards but paypal also charges the seller a fee.

Most people use the personal account which is Free.

Anyway this is my interpretation of paypals accounts. If I am wrong someone will correct me I am sure.

CarlWohlforth

Bearcave has it straight. As a business I can take CC or not through PayPal and I always have to pay a fee for accepting money. Some folks run a business buy stick with an individual, non business, PayPal account. Other businesses can accept CC payments directly.

SDCollector

Thanks for the replies. I searched the PayPal website before I asked this question, but missed it. Thanks again.

relayer

When you list an item and check the PayPal box as an accepted payment, eBay automatically puts up the credit card logos and there is no way to turn that off.

So it always gives the impression that credit cards are accepted. If the seller hasn't signed up to take credit cards and a credit card payment comes in, they have the option of either declining the payment or updating their account.

Once you update your account, from then on you are charged the 2.9% (or lower for a high volume seller) for all PayPal transactions regardless if the buyer has funds in the account, uses an instant bank transfer, or a credit card. (Plus PayPal doesn't tell the seller what the source of the funding is, so if only 10% of the business is on CC he won't know)

The sellers can get a PayPal MasterMoneyCard and everytime they use it as a credit card to withdraw funds they get a 1.5% rebate (because PayPal is charging the merchant 2.9% again)

You can downgrade your PayPal account back to free once in a lifetime - after that you're stuck paying 2.9% on ALL transactions