Buying with card or paypal, which is better?

[cloverthefox88]

I have only recently started buying on ebay, and I believed a paypal account was required to do so, but obviously I can use my card, so I have been using my card. I do not understand how paypal works thus my account has gone unused. I was curious as to which option is actually the easiest and most buyer safe to use. How much does a seller know about me if I pay with card? Do they say my cardholder name? Do they say any other information? Same question for paypal. Which option is the best for dealing with potential scams and other issues? Which option provides the most security and privacy? I have been using my card for every purchase, the name on my card is not the same as the name that I go by, which may have resulted in one seller sending me my item with a weird transphobic message written on it (I did not know what to do about that situation). Exactly what details get shown to sellers and where, when using either option? I assumed until recently that the only personal information given to sellers was the address and name I chose on ebay itself. 

[fbusoni]

The seller will have whatever appears on the mailing label he uses to ship to you -- your name, address.  Your phone number also will be provided.

The name on your credit card is not shared with the seller.

As for credit card versus Paypal... I have no idea if there are advantages or disadvantages to using one over the other.  Perhaps others will have more information.

[cloverthefox88]

I do not use a credit card. I do not even know what credit cards are, I only seem to see americans talk about them. I use a bank card. 

[mudshark61369]

@cloverthefox88,

No matter whether you pay through ebay using a card directly, or through PayPal, the seller does not see your card information. Both systems are very secure, but PayPal does offer some additional protections, and payment options ebay doesn't have.

There are pro's and con's to paying either way, but using PayPal which is accepted on other sites and by many online stores, that may not have a well secured payment system protects you from possible card info theft.

[nobody*s_perfect]

If you get into a dispute with a seller, and if it cannot be resolved through the usual eBay process, you will be glad if you have paid through PayPal so you can then also make a claim through them.

The seller does not see any of your personal information that is on your card or your PayPal account. They only get the name and address that were attached to the eBay transaction.

[fbusoni]

A "bank card" can be either a credit card or a debit card.  

You likely have a debit card.

You ought to get to know about credit cards.  I have one with Bank of America, and I receive on average about $100 a month in cash rebates (which goes into my checking account) from using the card.  

Of course, I pay the card off in full each month.  

[mudshark61369]

@cloverthefox88,

"I do not use a credit card. I do not even know what credit cards are, I only seem to see americans talk about them. I use a bank card". 

That's the problem with Americans and former English colonial  possessions except for Canada, we are two peoples separated by a common language. Yours is based on the Kings English, while ours is a hodge podge of colloquialisms from many other countries. 

  Though I have to wonder who decided a sausage should be called a banger?

[cloverthefox88]

How should I know? I am not english.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@cloverthefox88 wrote:

Which option is the best for dealing with potential scams and other issues?

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Since the privacy issue has already been addressed, i will add something else. 

There may be some other advantages of using a Credit Card vs PayPal (Vice versus). Some cards may have a longer/shorter time period for disputing charges. YMMV

Other reasons to consider choosing one over another. Some cards may have better/worse benefits (points, rewards) that you can take advantage of. Using a card may give you more time to pay on a purchase (credit) vs PayPal that may be set up to withdraw from your bank account. 

[mtgraves7984]

@cloverthefox88 

I prefer to pay through PayPal, where I have several bank cards (debit and credit) in my Wallet to choose from. (I keep a zero PP balance.) For me, I do it for the added layer of protection as @nobody*s_perfect posts.

Heck, I checked my PayPal account the other day and found $28+ that was a payment to me from a class action lawsuit... so I suppose I use it for other reasons, too. 💰

[tobaccocardyahoo]

PayPal increasingly will defer to Ebay's decision in a buyer-seller dispute, so that is a feature which is disappearing.

You have the longest time to open a dispute when you use a credit card from Mastercard or Visa.

The dispute is decided by the bank who issued your card and generally they are more likely to decide in your favor than they are the seller's favor. After all you have a business relationship with them and the seller does not.

They have an appeals process which still involves human beings.

If you need a payment plan, then PayPal might be a help but otherwise it is just another site to get hacked and PayPal never admits to being hacked.

[fbusoni]

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@cloverthefox88 wrote:

How should I know? I am not english.

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But Ireland is a former British colonial possession, as @mudshark61369 observed.

Or perhaps that is news to you?

[stephenmorgan]

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@cloverthefox88 wrote:

I do not use a credit card. I do not even know what credit cards are, I only seem to see americans talk about them. I use a bank card. 

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Is seems strange you do not know what Credit Cards are.  The Bank of Ireland offers a wide assortment of Credit Cards.  

[redmodelt]

I dropped using Pay-Pal for paying on eBay (still use it for other things) and pay directly via my credit card. I only have one credit card and one debit card. I see it as cutting out the middleman and just pay direct while still having the protection of the bank credit card. 

[krazzykats]

I use PayPal backed by my credit card whenever possible. I appreciate the added security of having my credit card safeguarded by PayPal and using PayPal for all online payments (even utilities) if available. I like the dual layer of protection that comes from not sharing my credit card numbers on the internet.

If PayPal is not accepted, then I will use the same credit card directly, but I will never use an ATM card under any circumstances....🤔

(BTW, my credit card has a 2% cashback which adds up each year.)