is there any reason I need a paypal account?

I guess it was required at some point in the past by eBay?

it's been like 100 years so IDR, and I would use the search function on the world wide web to look up answers, but it's more fun to get it from you guys like the coz, or BEAVERCHEESE, just as 2 examples :3

2/16/2023 5:08:04 PM

They gave me like $15 for free like a year ago, so that was cool.

2/16/2023 5:20:15 PM

To answer your question, yes, it is really convenient for eBay purchases.

I also use it to send my brother money on his birthday, but some people use Venmo for that as well.

2/16/2023 5:37:26 PM

Do you NEED it? No.

However, I think it's worth keeping. I use it any time I use eBay or a merchant web checkout that supports it. Saves entering all your address and payment info repeatedly, and I'm not sure it gives the merchant your credit card info directly. Less spreading of payment info is better.

I have used it to receive payment from a class action lawsuit, to help avoid fees assessed for paying with credit cards, and to pay my utility bills with a credit card to get a percentage back.

There's a bit of an art to setting up the PayPal account in such a way that it never uses your bank account or a PayPal balance. Namely, don't ever keep any money sitting in the cash side. As soon as you have a balance, move it out to somewhere earning interest. Their customer service is pretty crap, so plan to do everything on your own.

2/16/2023 7:43:23 PM

Here is PayPal BillPay:

https://www.paypal.com/us/digital-wallet/manage-money/pay-bills

2/16/2023 7:51:51 PM

There are lots of ways to easily pay electronically nowadays. PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Cashapp, etc. But the best way to do transactions is to take the goods or services and then just refuse to pay

2/16/2023 8:29:56 PM

If you don't have it by now I'd say screw signing up for it. But back in like 2004 it was helpful.

2/16/2023 9:45:47 PM

RD, do you actually have an account already or not? They will give you a free 10 dollar bucks for signing up, and give me a free 10 dollar bucks for referring you.

2/17/2023 6:43:50 AM

No i want to refer him

2/17/2023 7:58:49 AM

K

2/17/2023 9:30:21 AM

yes I've had it since I guess 2003 or something, when eBay (I assume required it?)

just seems like eBay could have had my card number on file instead of a third party having it

but I don't understand anything about anything, so :3

I guess it makes it easier across different platforms online, but I just don't really use it other than eBay

idk, don't pay me any mind I will go fade into oblivion now

2/17/2023 10:28:29 AM

Yes I think eBay originally required it as their payment platform. I guess it was more secure. But now all payment platforms seem secure across reputable websites. But I too don’t know anything about anything so idk

2/17/2023 12:31:56 PM

PayPal was an eBay subsidiary from 2002-2014. That's why it was so tightly integrated. They retained tight connections for a while after, but the relationship soured. eBay has another (preferred) payment processing partner now, but they still accept PayPal.

2/17/2023 2:52:16 PM

They handle all payments in-house now on the seller side. Before when you sold something you would be paid through PayPal after eBay took their cut but now it's all 100% through eBay.

2/21/2023 8:28:40 PM

True. The buyer can use PayPal, but the seller can't receive the payment in their own PayPal account.

2/21/2023 8:45:42 PM