Use paypal or credit card to pay on ebay auctions?

pmc82

You have the option of paying directly with card or through paypal on ebay but which is better?

If buying on ebay from a private seller ( ie not a business seller) surely section 75 doesn't apply especially for used items so which offers better protection?

theonlywayisup

pmc82 wrote: »

You have the option of paying directly with card or through paypal on ebay but which is better?

If buying on ebay from a private seller ( ie not a business seller) surely section 75 doesn't apply especially for used items so which offers better protection?

You don't have this option with all purchases, if you see it, it is because the seller is offering it (or you are confusing the Paypal guest option).

If it is a private seller is is most likely the Paypal guest option you are seeing, where you are taken to the Paypal screen but just input your card details rather than logging in and paying from your Paypal account. This method makes it a little harder to use your Buyer Protection from Paypal. Most card companies refuse any S75 claim when you pay by Paypal, either direct or as a guest.

If you are buying from a private seller and are worried about the item not arriving or being damaged/not as described both Ebay and Paypal offer protection. Ebay's protection gives you 30 days from latest estimated delivery and Paypal give you 180 days. Neither protection programme is a warranty/guarantee on the item.

What is it you are specifically worried about?

pmc82

I'm not worried about anything in particular, the item I was buying was a used mobile phone. It makes sense to pay directly with card when buying a new item or from a business seller but it is less clear which is the better option for used items and items from private sellers

soolin

theonlywayisup wrote: »

You don't have this option with all purchases, if you see it, it is because the seller is offering it (or you are confusing the Paypal guest option).

If it is a private seller is is most likely the Paypal guest option you are seeing, where you are taken to the Paypal screen but just input your card details rather than logging in and paying from your Paypal account. This method makes it a little harder to use your Buyer Protection from Paypal. Most card companies refuse any S75 claim when you pay by Paypal, either direct or as a guest.

If you are buying from a private seller and are worried about the item not arriving or being damaged/not as described both Ebay and Paypal offer protection. Ebay's protection gives you 30 days from latest estimated delivery and Paypal give you 180 days. Neither protection programme is a warranty/guarantee on the item.

What is it you are specifically worried about?

I have the option on all my eBay purchases at the moment, I go to pay and am offered the chance to continue with PayPal (I am linked so my PayPal details automatically come up) or to pay by card. I'm not buying as a guest or anything like that, the buy screen just gives me a second option.

Personally I always pay by PayPal as I think it gives me additional protection.

theonlywayisup

soolin wrote: »

I have the option on all my eBay purchases at the moment, I go to pay and am offered the chance to continue with PayPal (I am linked so my PayPal details automatically come up) or to pay by card. I'm not buying as a guest or anything like that, the buy screen just gives me a second option.

Personally I always pay by PayPal as I think it gives me additional protection.

And if you continue with that 'pay by card' option, it takes you to a Paypal card processing screen AKA the 'guest option' for Paypal. I use it for nearly all of my purchases as I collect Avios and pay by Amex. The only way I can get Paypal to accept my Amex.

theonlywayisup

pmc82 wrote: »

I'm not worried about anything in particular, the item I was buying was a used mobile phone. It makes sense to pay directly with card when buying a new item or from a business seller but it is less clear which is the better option for used items and items from private sellers

Unless you pay the seller direct or through a third party merchant such as World Pay or Sage and the like, you won't have S75.

If you think a private seller will offer CC payments other than via paypal you are likely to be disappointed.