"Paypal Debit Card...worth it?" Topic

I use Paypal and it often happens that funds that I need or use for "postage and handling" go there first, rather than into my wallet where I would like them most.

I like having my "pin money" in Paypal and I know I can always send a check to myself to withdraw the "handling and expense" funds, but that always results in a "look" from the wife type person of a feminine nature.

Does anyone have a Paypal Debit card? If so, do you like it, use it, etc.?

I'd like to actually limit it to a certain amount, rather than it having access to all of my funds, can I do that?

Any help or thoughts would be most appreciated.

I think you would be better off with a paypal credit card. If you use that card to ship your packages then you can quickly pay it directly from your paypal account but it doesn't have direct access to your account.

That is of course if you can be responsible enough to use it only for those purchases or anything else you'd normally use paypal funds for.

You get 1.5% back with your purchases each month.

>You get 1.5% back with your purchases each month.

That sounds good. I thought you had to pay some percentage for all cash withdrawls, which put me off. But perhaps I'm mistaken.

I've had the debit card for years, and I like it. The reason I got it was so I could use my PayPal funds to pay vendors that didn't offer PayPal as a payment option. That alone makes it worth getting, since you don't have to initiate transfers and wait 48-72 hours for the funds to show up in your bank account.

For example, I used the debit card with my Endicia account to pay for postage. I also used it to pay for my web hosting/business bills, and also to buy office supplies and other goods from local suppliers. I very rarely make cash withdrawals--I think I've done that exactly once in the last 12 months, so I'm not particularly fussed or worried about ATM fees. (It doesn't cost anything extra to swipe your debit card at a store or pay for something online, you only pay fees if you hit up an ATM.)

In terms of spending limits…I don't know if this is universally applicable, but there is indeed a daily cash withdrawal limit of $400 USD or something like that. I don't think there's a configurable spending limit for swiping the card or paying for something online, though.

I love my PayPal debit card. When I am selling things because I need money in a hurry, I can use it to pay the shipping and the utility bill. It makes life easier when living on the edge…

Thanks for your input, Gents, appreciated:

A couple of points though.

I am usually "Cash on hand" poor, so when I get a payment via Paypal, it's a double hit to me, because the money physically does not get into my hands and the portion that was for postage, comes out of my pocket, making me that much more "cash on hand" starved.

Also…

When I was inquiring about a certain limited amount to use, I was asking "Can I tell Paypal that I only want to put XXX dollars into the card and not be able to touch what is in the balance of my account."

In other words, I want to keep X number of dollars in reserve in my account that I CANNOT touch, unless I later authorize a change.

Can I do that with Paypal?

Not sure you can put a "minimum balance" on a debit card anywhere, actually. I mean, what's the point of having money in an account that you can't use?

I've been practically living on my PayPal debit card for several years now, and have never had a problem or an unexpected expense.

Indeed, as one who has been able--more by fortune than good character!--been able to divest himself of ALL credit cards, debit cards are the way to go for a man who would rather work in "cash" than constant borrowing at usurious rates.

The PayPal Debit Card does not charge me anything to use--my balance is my bank--and if it takes up to four days(!) to transfer funds to or from the card via my actual bank checking account, this has been a problem only a few times over the last three or four years. And those problems were of my own making.

Since my business takes PayPal, every sale goes to where I can also pay my vendors/contributors, as well as spend for private purposes as well.

Go thou and do likewise!

TVAG

Okay…Dad…sheesh.

BTW, I'm down to one last "carde du la credite'" myself and it gets paid off anywhere between the next 3-7 months.

Since this is linked to my bank account, I just want to use the balance I have in my Paypal account. Can I stipulate that?

Andrew,

I've had a Paypal debit for years and use it all the time. Just as an aside, did you know you could pay shipping online using your Paypal account at USPS.com

No…but I do now, Thanks

…though I'm going to have to update my QWERTY device with its patented dixie cup and twine modem connection later this year when money finally starts filling my coffers in order to take advantage of this benefit.