Buying on ebay from US

[aster]

Just a quick question here, but I see PayPal listed as the only payment option an all auctions I've visited. When I click on the link it shows the PayPal logo with various logos of credit cards underneath.

When purchasing an item, do I need to have/set up a PayPal account, or can I use a CC and bypass PP completely?

[JR8]

AFAII you have to have a paypal account to use e-bay now. Not least because e-bay own paypal!

It is a complete shag to set up, one I had to go through a few months ago...


Good luck...

[sundaymorningstaple]

I have a Singapore PayPal account and do business on the US eBay site on a regular basis (something like once a week on the average). I have one US CC and one Singapore CC linked to it as well one US bank using direct debit between PayPal and the bank thereby bypassing the CC route completely but with a backup default if the US bank has insufficient funds it will default to a CC at no charge from them. Yeah they have a monopoly but it works pretty well from my POV. Additionally, recently they changed the rules for sellers and they are now charged fees not only on the final bid amount but also on the shipping charges. The sellers don't like it, but as a buyer I think it's great as too many sellers inflate the shipping charges for no earthly reason. Now, instead of getting $40 & $50 shipping quotes from the sellers we are getting 7~10 dollar quotes (e.g., actual postage rates).

There are some sellers on eBay who also maintain an external online store. If it is one of these sellers, then normally they will allow CC purchases as well, but prefer PayPal due to the protection afforded. I've never had a problem with PayPal nor with the few issues I had to take against a couple of errant sellers. Both times Ebay found in my favour and refunded my full purchase AND shipping charges.

[JR8]

If you change country you have to open a new PayPal account, you cannot just change details. How about being posted to I don't know, France, Thailand, or the Czech Republic and having to open a new PP account on their local site that is exclusively in that language. Fun eh!

There is no way.... you need human customer services to delete your old account, and then still have to apply for the new account in the foreign language.

It isn't fun.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sounds like most banks doesn't it........

[JR8]

Sounds like most banks doesn't it........

In many ways it is operating as one. Just a low-cost one with solely an online presence. Hence, they're a bitch to deal with for anything beyond the FAQ.

I just wish I could use my credit card as usual, without all the PP bull layer added on top.

[x9200]

If you change country you have to open a new PayPal account, you cannot just change details. How about being posted to I don't know, France, Thailand, or the Czech Republic and having to open a new PP account on their local site that is exclusively in that language. Fun eh!

There is no way.... you need human customer services to delete your old account, and then still have to apply for the new account in the foreign language.

It isn't fun.

Why do you need to open a new paypal account if you change country? I use my SG paypal account to pay various things not only from ebay and the goods may not be shipped to SG at all. Never had any problems with it. I have two CC under paypal: ocbc and amex, both local and on a very rare occasions ocbc is not available while paying abroad and for some reasons amex while paying in SG but generally it works without any problems.

[JR8]

------------
'Re: Change home address country
on Oct-05-2011 11:18 AM
...
You cannot change your address to another Country. When you move, you need to close your old PayPal account and create a new account using your new address.

If you have an address in both countries, you can keep your old PayPal account and create a new one, but only one of your accounts (if any) should be a Business account.'
https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/Sen ... uage=en-gb
-----------

Plus, there's a reason why you can't bluff it either. I think there is a final check on your payment card registered address. But I spent enough time trying to overcome all of this when I faced it, so begging your pardon, I'm going to leave it at that for now! ...

[x9200]

I guess the basic reason for this is the verification of your particulars which happens after some amount is paid/received. Still not sure what could be practical issue if you just stick to one account even if you already left the country.

[JR8]

I guess the basic reason for this is the verification of your particulars which happens after some amount is paid/received. Still not sure what could be practical issue if you just stick to one account even if you already left the country.

1) Because you cannot open another account with an already recognised email address
1a) and you cannot x-border a PP account, believe me.
2) Because you cannot open another account with any recognised bankcards
3) Because opening a PP account in a foreign country involves maybe 20 screens and e-mails that are 100% in a foreign language and often technical in nature.

Not really my idea of fun if all I want to do is sell a pair of unwanted concert tickets on Ebay...

[x9200]

I am saying I would NOT open a new PP account and just use the fist and only one created whatever country it may be.

[carteki]

For the protection that PayPal offers the buyer a couple of login screens are worth it in my mind. I haven't used ebay in the US recently, but I know that it is possible to pay using a credit card without registering on paypal. Not sure if the ebay system allows this.

The "not being able to move countries" is a bind. Although I've kept my old UK account open so I can purchase "uk only stuff" and have a separate sg account. The yahoo and gmail "additional mail account" facilities work wonders for this - 1 email account - may email addresses.

Kim

[zzm9980]

PayPal is absolute crap, be careful with them.

I would open a Singapore PayPal account and close the US one just so that they can't f&ck with your credit score if you're on the wrong side of a scam.

I sold a laptop on eBay and used PayPal. The buyer received it, thanked me, and THEN told PayPal I sent him an empty box. Months of back and forth, including police reports on my end, all of the email correspondence, photos from me, a signed letter from the UPS Store that packed and shipped the laptop, and PayPal still decided that "The buyer can return the item for a full refund". Of course he shipped junk back, and PayPal's automated system automatically credits him as soon as the tracking number he provided showed it was delivered.

Luckily, the money was moved out of the account by me before then, so now I have a -$1400 Paypal balance and get numerous threat emails, but nothing else. Also my PayPal acct was old enough that they didn't have my SSN# so couldn't harm my US Credit Score.

So, wherever you open it, be very careful with what you do.

[carteki]

Sorry to hear about your experience. The experience listed there is a common fraud on ebay. The reason it is allowed to continue is that Paypal nearly all the time sides on the side of the buyer. So as a buyer it is well worth using. As a seller you need to know the risks...

[aster]

I've had problems with PP in the past and simply prefer not to use them. The one time I was tempted to use them again I couldn't even recover my access details and gave up. Bit of a bummer not to be able to just use CCs directly for ebay purchases without having an active PP account...