If you do not have a credit card, you may find it frustrating when you find something online that you want to buy. Are you tired of convincing your friends to purchase things with their credit cards for you in exchange for cash or paying more for items in stores than you would spend for them online? Then it is time that you learn about the various ways to buy things online without a credit card.
1 – Prepaid Visa Gift Cards
A very simple way to make purchases online without a credit card is to purchase a prepaid Visa gift card. You can buy these gift cards in person at stores like gas stations and grocery stores. You can find locations near you that sell prepaid Visa gift cards by going to Visa’s website.
You can also purchase these gift cards online on Visa’s website. The cards cost about $6 to activate, and there are restrictions on the amount of money that you can load on a card. The restrictions vary depending on the issuer. The great thing about these gift cards is that you can use them anywhere that accepts Visa credit cards. Since most prepaid Visa gift cards do not come with PINs, you can only use them for credit transactions.
2 – PayPal
PayPal is a great way to buy things online if you don’t have a credit card. PayPal is an excellent option even for people who do have credit cards because they ensure secure transactions. You will need a bank account to open a PayPal account, and you will need to have the funds available in your bank account when you make a purchase with PayPal. PayPal is an ideal option for individuals who have bank accounts because it does not cost you anything to use the payment service. PayPal is not accepted at all online stores, but it is an option for many online purchases.
3 – Bill Me Later
Bill Me Later is a way to make online purchases right now without leaving your home without any extra charges. Bill Me Later is accepted by many of the most popular online merchants, including Zappos.com, Walmart.com, Buy.com, eBay and Overstock.com. Bill Me Later is a unique payment option because it uses your personal information to quickly provide you an instant loan for your online purchases.
When you want to make a purchase on a merchant’s website that accepts the Bill Me Later payment option, you will need to click on the Bill Me Later icon. Then you need to enter information about yourself, such as your name, your date of birth, your home address and part of your social security number. If you are approved for the purchase, Bill Me Later pays for your purchase on your behalf and then sends you a bill to your home address. You can then pay the bill by sending them a check or by using a debit card online.
There are a surprising number of ways to make purchases online without a credit card. Some are more convenient and cheaper than others, so evaluate your situation and choose the best option for you.
About the author: David Spader reviews savings accounts over at SavingsAccount.Org.