Paypal Question


Winuser

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When did Paypal start making user signup for an account. I purchased a DVD set from OnesMedia. This is a site I have purchased a few DVD sets from and know they are legit. When I went to check out I chose to use Paypal. I filled everything out just like I have done with other purchases through Paypal and before I hit the submit button it said something about creating a paypal account. I didn't want a paypal account so I setup an account for OnesMedia. Even after setting up the account my only options was check/money order or Paypal. I now have a Paypal account. I have used Paypal before and I just had to enter my credit card info and didn't need an account to make a one time purchase. I don't mind using Paypal but I don't see the need for an account for a one time purchase.
 

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Gosh, I think that always PayPal needed a user account. I hadn't found a way to use PayPal without an account.

Some shopping sites allow users to purchase as a Guest but, as far as I was aware, it was at the discretion of the host site. As a guest, you could pay by card or PayPal. Most sites these days only accept the PayPal option, I have noticed.

Confusingly, you could also at one time, also use PayPal Guest Checkout, if you had that feature enabled on your PayPal account. This allows you to make PayPal purchases without having to log on to PayPal website as part of the transaction. That requires a cookie to be stored on your machine. If you delete the web cookie, then you have to set everything up again with PayPal.

Having an account makes future purchases quicker and it makes it easier to review the progress of the sale. It also makes it easier should there be an after sale dispute, as all transactions are logged onto your account. So, while it seems like more hassle to begin with, there are extra benefits in the long run.
 

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Gosh, I think that always PayPal needed a user account. I hadn't found a way to use PayPal without an account.

Some shopping sites allow users to purchase as a Guest but, as far as I was aware, it was at the discretion of the host site. As a guest, you could pay by card or PayPal. Most sites these days only accept the PayPal option, I have noticed.

Confusingly, you could also at one time, also use PayPal Guest Checkout, if you had that feature enabled on your PayPal account. This allows you to make PayPal purchases without having to log on to PayPal website as part of the transaction. That requires a cookie to be stored on your machine. If you delete the web cookie, then you have to set everything up again with PayPal.

Having an account makes future purchases quicker and it makes it easier to review the progress of the sale. It also makes it easier should there be an after sale dispute, as all transactions are logged onto your account. So, while it seems like more hassle to begin with, there are extra benefits in the long run.
I once had my PayPal account hacked but Paypal picked it up and sorted it before I even knew about it.

I then setup PayPal to use 2FA. It is slightly less convenient to have to enter a (one time) 6 digit number each time I use paypal but I strongly recommend it for additional security.
 

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ASUS Zenbook 14
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I do not have a PayPal account and have always been able to simply use a credit card or a bank debit card for a purchase. I always see the PayPal capability, but I just ignore it. I have never been asked to open a PayPal account.

Of course, I still get occasional spam telling me my wife's PayPal account is locked. But she never had a PayPal account either and has been dead for almost 2 years now (Nov. 3, 2021).
 

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    This computer is connected to my IC-735 radio.
I do not have a PayPal account and have always been able to simply use a credit card or a bank debit card for a purchase.
Using paypal prevents credit card theft, you can buy anything and do not worry, even if it is a scam or phishing.
 

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Home26H2Can
Computer type
PC/Desktop
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (07/24)
Motherboard
ASROCK B650M-HDV/M.2 (07/24) BIOS 4.21 AGESA ComboAM5 1.3.0.1 (04/26)
Memory
2x32GB Kingston FURY DDR5 5600 MHz CL36 @5200 CL36 (07/24)
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ASROCK Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8G @48FPS (08/24)
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Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus (05/24)
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24" Philips 24M1N3200ZS/00 (05/24)
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I do not have a PayPal account and have always been able to simply use a credit card or a bank debit card for a purchase. I always see the PayPal capability, but I just ignore it. I have never been asked to open a PayPal account.

Of course, I still get occasional spam telling me my wife's PayPal account is locked. But she never had a PayPal account either and has been dead for almost 2 years now (Nov. 3, 2021).
This was the first time I wasn't given a choice. I didn't want a Paypal account but I guess it will make it quicker the next time I make a purchase. I have my credit cards setup to notify me of any purchases of $50.00 or more plus any online purchases so I should be safe if Paypal gets hacked.
 

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    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
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    Intel Core i7-10700K
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    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
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    Windows 11 Canary Channel
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    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-A
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
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    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
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    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
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    Logitek K270
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    Windows Defender
This was the first time I wasn't given a choice. I didn't want a Paypal account but I guess it will make it quicker the next time I make a purchase. I have my credit cards setup to notify me of any purchases of $50.00 or more plus any online purchases so I should be safe if Paypal gets hacked.
It very possibly could depend on the way a seller sets up their paypal system. I’ve always been given the choice before logging in.

Edit. If the seller makes you log in, they can automatically activate an auto payment/renewal plan (which I always turn off after the fact)
 

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    Sin-built 2013
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    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
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    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
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    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - Type 82YL
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    Wireless Network: Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above
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  • Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8655 (Wifes)

    Yoga 7 2-in-1 14IML9 - Type 83DJ

    Processor: Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 155H Processor(Core™ Ultra 7 155H)

    Memory: 32GB LPD5X-7467

    Hard Drive: 1 TB SSD PCIe

    Wireless Network: 1x Wi-Fi 6E 2x2 AX; Bluetooth® 5.1 or above

    Ports: 1 x HDMI 2.1 TMDS; 1 x Novo Button; 1 x Combo Audio Jack
    2 x USB-C (USB 4.0)
    1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1

    Camera: 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone

    Graphics: Intel® Arc™ Graphics

    Monitor: 14" 2.8K

    ...Where's my horse?
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