Best (cheapest) way to pay for auction items from abroad using paypal

Vintage653

Recently bought a few bits off of Ebay from Spain and France. Paid for said items via Paypal (items were listed in euros)..so far so good....but when the payment comes out of my bank the amount is quite different to the amount stated on Ebay. Paypal, it would seem, set their own currency exchange rates which differ to the actual exchange rate results on currency websites.

Is there a better (cheaper) way to pay for items from abroad, still using Paypal, without getting hit with their seemingly extortionate exchange rates?? I have heard about pre paid or travel money cards...but can these be used to pay for Ebay action items??,,,and are they the cheapest way?
Many thanks in advance

TripleH

I don't know if this is possible, but could you not setup a euro paypal account if you are going to do a lot of purchasing in euros? I have an australian dollar one from when I lived there. Once you setup a euro one, transfer euros into it from a euro account.
This involves a lot of extra effort and if you only buy once or twice a year or so  and small value, it might be easier to take a small hit each time. 
There may be a quicker and easier way of doing things however..

Lazydayz71

I have my Nationwide Credit Card linked to my PayPal account.

If I buy from Europe, PayPal offers me a terrible exchange rate, but you do have the option of paying in Euros thus allowing your Credit Card company to make the exchange instead. I get a very good exchange rate with Nationwide.

You just have to remember to do it, as once you've paid you can't change it.