Paypal- I'm really confused how to use it!! Please help!!

[OhioMom2Four]

I am renting a timeshare from an individual owner and they have asked that I pay through Paypal. That being said, I have never used Paypal or bought anything off of Ebay. You get my drift. I have no clue what I am doing.

Can I pay through Paypal and still be protected as a buyer with no account?

What do I need to do to make this legitimate and safe for my purchase?

How do I arrange bank/card info with Paypal?

I really appreciate feedback. We are so excited to get to go to FL again so soon, but I am a mess trying to sort this out.

 

[tkitty]

I've had and used a PayPal acct. for a few years at least, mostly for EBay. Mine is linked to my checking acct. I'm not sure what other ways you can set it up. I have have a couple of times that I had a problem with my purchase, and PayPal was quick to take care of me so that I never lost any money. I trust them with my transactions. You may be able to set up an acct. with a credit card or other acct. info.
Many people now prefer PayPal as a safe way to collect money and I wouldn't hesitate opening an acct. with them.
I don't have any details, but have used them for years.

 

[hauntedcity]

I have also used PayPal for many years without any problems. You create an account and link it to a bank account and/or credit card account.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to paypal.com and they will walk you through setting up an account.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am renting a timeshare from an individual owner and they have asked that I pay through Paypal. That being said, I have never used Paypal or bought anything off of Ebay. You get my drift. I have no clue what I am doing.

Can I pay through Paypal and still be protected as a buyer with no account?

What do I need to do to make this legitimate and safe for my purchase?

How do I arrange bank/card info with Paypal?

There is no absolutely safe way to rent a house or timeshare from a private third party. The safest possible way it to pay when you get there. The next safest way is to use an escrow company. After that the next safest way is to use a credit card (not a debit card) directly without an intermediary such as Paypal and no earlier than about 40 days in advance.

In general Paypal will not protect you unless it succeeds in back charging the seller or vendor or landlord.

To start a Paypal account you have to supply an email address and a checking or savings account number. You can choose to make the actual payments using a credit card if you choose. If you receive money or sell things using Paypal then the money goes into a kitty in your name. If there is enough accoumulated then you can use that to pay for things instead of using a credit card or the bank account linked to Paypal.

You and the person you are buying from/selling to identify each other using the email addresses given to Paypal.

Sellers often prefer Paypal because it is easier to receive money that way compared with signing up with a bank to take credit card payments directly.

 

[scrapquitler]

To start a Paypal account you have to supply an email address and a checking or savings account number. You can choose to make the actual payments using a credit card if you choose.

Is this true? I've had a paypal account for years and years, and I use my credit card to pay. I have never (nor will I ever) given them my bank account number as verification. Every time I use it, the website asks me to do so, and I always decline the option. I've never had an isuse because of it (though I don't sell on ebay or do anything to receive money, maybe that's the difference?).