I'm thinking of getting a paypal account (to buy sell art) but I don't have a bank account of any sort and was wondering a few things. I would really love if someone experienced could answer my questions. I already read a ton on the paypal site but am still a little confused.

1.) It says on the paypal site "Pay directly from your PayPal balance or linked bank account, or charge it to your credit card" since I don't and won't get a credit card and I don't have a bank account how would I be able to use paypal, like how would I get some money in there to start with?

2.) What are the fees involved in transactions.

3.) What do most people use on here for billing method, I'm assuming through email?

Sorry for all the question, I hope this is in the right place ;)

how are you planning on putting money in your paypal account if you don't even have a bank account?

Moved from General Discussion to Internet.

That's what I'm asking, on paypal it said that they are not needed to create an account. So how would I get money on there, a pre-paid card or something. If I have to make a bank account it's no big deal I'll just go make one I was just wondering. The paypal site is confusing in the way they explain things.

Thanks Gunblade, I wasn't sure where to put this^^

Setting up a bank account takes all of half an hour.

You won't be able to fully harness the up sides of paypal unless you have a bank account. Unless you only intend to leave the money you gain in your paypal account, without using it for other things...then you might as well get a bank account. You're bound to need one eventually.

I had planned on getting one anyways so the bank account is not an issue^^ When you say "leave the money you gain in your paypal account, without using it for other things" does that mean I can't buy online things with that money(so it just sits there and saves up) or just that I can't withdraw it as cash?

[edit] One more thing: When signing up should I use a different email then the one I use for everything else?

When money is in your paypal it's separate from your bank account total. You can use paypal for buying things online, yes. Including commissions, clothing, and whatever else. When sending money for a commission you just need the persons paypal address (usually their e-mail), and you can send them the money so long as it's in your account. If the money isn't in your account paypal sends a request to send the money from your bank account. However if you take that route it usually takes over a week for the money to transfer.

Ok so if I could get money into my paypal account before I set up a bank account I would be all set (I don't plan on doing much buying).

Sorry for throwing so many questions at you I really appreciate the help!^^

I just got my first paypal, and I think i /might/ be able to help. I connected my paypal to my savings account at sterling savings. All I did basically was created my paypal, and then I clicked the savings button where I attatched the account. I then verified the account by using the instructions that paypal gives you to do that.

There is a 3-5 day business day wait to clear your deposits and everything with a basic paypal account that is attatched to savings account though. :D Paypal would probably be an easier and more convenient if you used it with a credit card.

I'm not sure if you have to have a bank account attatched to your paypal in order to get money into it though.

Setting up a bank account is easy though, you just need to decide before you go to the bank whether or not you want a debit card, credit card, or savings account. Credit cards are super nice but don't get one with a limit that you can't pay off. :D

:D I'm still trying to learn how to do this whole paypal thing as well.

And - I wouldn't sign up for paypal with a new email address, but if you have a spare email then I'd use that. Remember to use a unique password for your paypal as well.

Ok awesome that really helped, thank you so muchhugs

Without having a bank account attached to your paypal account though Necolasa, you aren't able to verify your account. If you plan on buying from e-bay and certain other places they require a verified and confirmed paypal account in order to buy.

So really if you are dead set on using paypal it is in your best interest to get a bank account because they basically force you to do it. You can't get a paypal debit card without the bank account either (I know dumb right). So your money would be stuck on paypal an only be able to be used for certain things.

Overall summary though. Paypal is EXACTLY like a bank except they make much much more money off of the percentage taken from each transaction. If I were you I would rebel against the system and accept money orders through snail mail so none of your money in lost in the transaction, and so you don't have to worry about the bank or anything. Or you can accept checks also (but I would wait for them to clear at the bank before you do art or send a sold item)

Also if you are under 18 paypal will screw you over. Ask all about it! He has PLENTY of stories about paypal. Paypal is convenient when it isn't causing you problems but Paypal knows they are the biggest most trusted online money sending thing and they certainly use that fact to their advantage.

All of that being said I'm a sucker and I use it. I don't like it though :(

Well, I don't think I'll be using paypal ever now. I've done some research and the horror stories abound ><

I like the idea of using snail mail but how am I suppose to know if the buyer is actually going to hold up their end of the deal when I can give them their art instantly? Also I don't want to be handing out my address to random people.

I only plan on selling little things between 2 to 5 dollars, saving up what I earn and using it towards the sites I play on, like on subeta for example. My art (http://necolasa.deviantart.com/) isn't that great but I have been asked to do a few commissions where people offered/would rather pay using real money and would I love to be able to offer the choice.

I don't plan on doing much buying, and I steer clear of ebay entirely...lol ebay XD

The problem is I don't know of any other sites that are like paypal and free.

Ummm I've not looked into it but I think google has recently come up with an online money thing. You might want to look into that. Even though google is a huge company for whatever reason I'm quite trusting of google.

I'll definitely check it out^^

I had a long chat with a friend who uses snail mail and she said she didn't any problems using it and that as long as you give people your mailing address privately you should be fine. I think I'm going to give it a try after all. I'm still going to check out google, though^^

Thanks for all your help! Sorry if I was a little confusing XD

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