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PayPal Accepts Credit Cards

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How to Force PayPal to Use Your Credit Card Instead of Your Bank Account

Many people avoid PayPal because they think PayPal only debits bank accounts and mistakenly believe that PayPal won't take credit cards. But PayPal is one of the best credit card processors because PayPal keeps the web page owner from seeing your credit card info. I'm writing these instructions so that more people will know how to force PayPal to use their credit card so that they too can have PayPal protect their credit card info without drawing on their bank account.

Here's how to force PayPal to use your credit card instead of your bank account. PayPal wants to directly access your bank account because then they don't have to pay credit card fees. But you might want to use your credit card to pay instead. You need to know the right places to click because PayPal puts their credit card options in fine print. Once you know what to do, it is really very easy.

Necessary Info

If you're at PayPal and you want it to take a credit card right now, there's a couple things you need to have ready.

1. You'll need your credit card number handy.

2. You may also need your bank name and account number if you are buying a subscription product and don't yet have a PayPal account.

Opening a PayPal Account...or Not?

A Key Decision

First, decide if you need or want a PayPal account. You will need to establish an account if you are buying a subscription that bills you each month or year. If it is a one-time purchase, you might not need a PayPal account, but you might want one because its easier to buy online with your credit card already stored at PayPal rather than re-enter it each time. You may decide not to open a PayPal account if you are in a hurry this time, or you don't want your information stored anywhere.
(as an aside, with a merchant who doesn't use paypal, you don't know if they are storing your credit card number or not!)

If you want to open the PayPal account, just follow the steps on the paypal website to open an account. But don't click to pay yet...we still want to get PayPal to use your credit card.

Using Credit Cards With No PayPal Log In

The Easiest Way To Go

Here's where it gets good. If you are just buying a one-time product and don't mind typing in your credit card number again, you can avoid logging in to PayPal altogether. Just "Continue" right next to the logos of the credit cards. (Its marked with the red callout box in pic). Then you will get a page where you can enter your credit card info.

Forcing A Credit Card After Logging In

PayPal Will Take It If You Persist

If you log into PayPal, it will take a couple more clicks to use your credit card, but it can be done. First off, you can give PayPal your credit card number as a back-up funding source. That way it is already stored and you don't need to enter it every time you buy something.

As you are buying, PayPal brings you to a screen that says "Review Your Payment" Scan down to the "Payment Method" section. At the bottom is a link that reads "Edit Source of Funds". Click that link. (See pic at the top of this whole article.)

Now you are at the "Funding Options" page. Pick the radio button for your credit card and hit Continue button. (See pic to the right.)

Last comes the "Confirm your Payment Method Page". It tries to talk you into using your bank account. Just stay firm by pressing the "Use My Credit Card" button and you are done!

Buying on eBay

Put Your New Knowledge to Use

How You Can Accept PayPal Too

This article explains how to get PayPal to take a credit card. Along the way, it also touches on the benefits of using PayPal which shields a customer's credit card number from online merchants.

If you are an online merchant and want to use Paypal so that you can stop worrying about site certificates and protecting customer information, click here.

Reader Feedback

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jackieannpatterson Oct 7, 2010 @ 11:59 am | delete

I don't know -- never had exactly that problem. Maybe calling Paypal would help??

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Oct 6, 2010 @ 4:41 am | delete

I read this lens and got some valuable information about paypal.But I am looking a solution of my problem regarding paypal.I am facing this problem:

The following error comes from paypal in case of subscription but not in case of one time payment.

"The link you have used to enter the PayPal system is invalid. Please review the link and try again."

I hope you ll suggest me a solution regarding this problem.
Thanks!

Best Web Development Company

Reply

Oct 6, 2010 @ 4:40 am | delete

I read this lens and got some valuable information about paypal.But I am looking a solution of my problem regarding paypal.I am facing this problem:

The following error comes from paypal in case of subscription but not in case of one time payment.

"The link you have used to enter the PayPal system is invalid. Please review the link and try again."

I hope you ll suggest me a solution regarding this problem.
Thanks!

Best Web Development Company

Reply

Buddy Apr 6, 2009 @ 8:37 am | delete

This is a very helpful article. I've had trouble using PayPal in the past because of this EXACT reason. This is a very helpful article. I'm going to give them another chance following these detailed instructions.