How set default payment methods?

[MaxGeek]

I've been using Paypal for a while now, but I've never been able to figure out how to set the default payment method. I can set the default credit card or default bank account if I have multiple, but can't seem to set the credit card to be the default payment at all times.

In the past I had a bank account attached to my paypal account and no matter what paypal always made the default method. When I buy something on ebay it would default to my bank account and when I changed the funding source to credit card, I would get the message about how safe using a bank account is and am I sure I want to use a credit card (total BS if you ask me). I ended up creating a second paypal account for just paying (Credit Card) and one for recieving money (bank account). Now I have a bill me later account attached to my account (got $100 free for signing up for it), but I never want to use it. The Bill me later account is being defaulted as funding source now when using ebay, but its not set as the default payment type. This is very annoying. I know paypal wants you to use bill me later or a bank account, but this is just annoying that I can't use what I want to use.

[mona_howel]

I had this same problem and a large purchase went to my bank account instead of my credit card. Of course I had moved enough money to the credit card balance to cover the purchase which left my bank balance short.

Anyway, I've been working on this for hours, clicking this and that and here is what I came up with.

1. Log in to your PayPal account.
2. Click Profile at the top of the page.
3. Click Credit/Debit Cards under Financial Information.
4. Click Edit a card.
5. Click on the check box next to "Primary"

Problem is, I think I already did this. I'll have to wait to see if my next purchase goes through properly.

[PayPal_Adrian]

Hi everyone!

The default funding source is determined by what you have registered.  The option above to make a card primary does not change the default funding source - only which card is displayed first.

When you make a payment, PayPal will fund your transaction in this order:

1)  PayPal Balance (this is funded by your PayPal balance)

2)  Instant Transfer (you would need a bank account and a credit/debit card on file)

3)  PayPal Credit

4)  Debit Card

5)  Credit Card

6)  eCheck

However, not all options are available for every payment.  We recommend reviewing each purchase to ensure it is funded the way you desire.  If it is not, click on "More Options" in the payment section and select which option works best for you. 

Hope this helps,

Adrian

[mona_howel]

Thank you for clearing that up - somewhat. However, the last transaction I did, I did not get any option to change my payment method (or even verify which way it was going to go).

Are you saying that if you have a credit card AND a checking account on file your transactions go through as "Instant Transfers" but you can't direct which of the two gets hit first? What is the "back-up" designation about?

Honestly, if I can't direct the way my purchases are funded, or at least have the chance to cancel the transaction if they're going the wrong way, I can't really use PayPal. I very nearly ended up paying a sizeable overdraft charge to my bank for that recent snafu and I just don't have enough money to keep balances ready all over the place to cover unpredictable PayPal funding roulette.

[PayPal_Adrian]

If you have a credit/debit card and a bank account registered, your default method of payment (provided the balance is not enough) will be an Instant Transfer for all transactions unless otherwise noted at the time of payment. 

An Instant Transfer uses the bank as the primary funding option.  If the bank transfer fails after two attempts, then PayPal would try to charge the card that is listed in your purchase details as the secondary funding option. 

Unless changed at the time of check out, the bank selected for the primary funding and the credit card selected for the secondary option will usually be the primary bank/card on file. 

In some instances, not all funding choices will be available.  This can be due to a number of reasons - for example, just as your local station does not take a particular type of card, your merchant on PayPal may not either. 

While completing the check out process, on the payment confirmation page (the same one that shows you the shipping address), there is a section for which payment source will be debited.  A link will be located there called "More Options."  This will allow you to choose which way you want to fund the transaction, if what is originally displayed is not your desired option.

Adrian

[coolgrafix]

Adrian,

Was completing an eBay purchase just now using PayPal. It indicated the funding source was my credit card, which I did not want to use. Upon choosing More Options, only Bill Me Latter and Credit Card were available as options. What would account for this?

Thanks,

Brad

[redrover]

I've had two recent eBay purchases where I wanted to use my credit card for payment. I have my bank account and credit card linked to my PayPal account. When I chose that I wanted to use my credit card for payment, it asked me for the number, expiration and all—everything looked correct, but when the final choice came to pay, it would go back to funding through my Paypal balance first and simply backing up what I didn't have in my account to my credit card.This creates an accounting nightmare.

If eBay/Paypal say they are going to accept CC as a form of payment, then only use it as a backup payment, then we have a bit of fraud going on here.

So my question is: do I simply misunderstand how this works, or is there something wrong? Call me crazy, but when payment options claim that I can use a credit card to pay, I assume I can pay with my credit card.

[PayPal_Adrian]

You certainly can use your credit card to fund the payment - but if a balance is available, it will always be used first.  To avoid this, withdraw the funds out of the account prior to making a payment via the "Withdraw" tab.

Adrian