Can I still do digital downloads for Sims 3 without purchasing as credit?

[jeanamariex3]

No I'm not asking for FREE because that would be against the forum rules, and I still want to pay for my Sims 3 games and download them digitally, no not free and illegally. I use my Chase Debit card to purchase my downloads, but it often goes as credit, which a few times the charges don't go through right away, and sometimes it charges me double. When you guys make Sims 3 purchases (not just pre-ordering and purchasing EP's and SP's but SimPoints too) from EA what safer alternatives do you use to to pay for your downloads? I'm not comfortable with credit purchases anymore but I still want to stay digital, and still do it ethically and legally by paying for it. What form of purchase do you guys do for Sims 3 related stuff that's safe, and doesn't require purchasing as credit?

Again this is asking for a safer way to purchase my digital downloads without putting it in as credit.

I prefer digital copies and I want a more trustworthy way of still buying them without someone randomly getting a hold of my info.

Thanks.

[TheChronicR]

I thought a widespread alternative is paying through PayPal? Try that.

[VampirePlasma]

PayPal. I would say that.

[jeanamariex3]

The only problem with Paypal is that I don't know how to set up an account. I'm over 18 too and have a checking and savings account through Chase Bank in the US.

I know this site takes PayPal donations but I would like to hear from others who use PayPal.

[Pam]

I use PayPal all the time.  I use it to pay for all of my Sims 3 stuff from the Store and all expansion and stuff packs.  I also use it on any other website that will accept it, including Ebay.  I've got a PayPal account set up and it's connected to my bank account so that if I don't have money in PayPal, they will draw from my checking account to pay for my item.  You can also set up a credit card though PayPal to pay for your purchases, but I think that's what you're trying to avoid.  In your case, connecting it to your checking account would probably be the best thing.  My only concern is that it might be different if you don't live in the U.S.  Otherwise, it's not hard to get it all set up.  First, you'd need to go to www.paypal.com and set up an account.  It will walk you through all the steps.  After that, you can connect it to your bank account.  They will make a tiny withdrawal from your bank account (less than $1.00) in order to verify the account.  After the withdrawal, you go back to the PayPal site and verify the amounts.  At that point, I believe you should be ready to go.

Another option would be a debit card from your bank.  It looks just like a credit card, but instead of charging your credit card account, it deducts the money straight from your checking or savings.  You use the debit card number exactly the same way you use a credit card.  Again, not living in the U.S. may be an issue.  You'd have to contact your bank about this option.

These are my best suggestions at the moment. 

[RunAmokSims]

Everything Pam said is true. You can also use your credit card through PayPal and they have very good buyer protection. PayPal will also issue a debit card to use the balance you have in your PP account anywhere. I have an online business and I use my PP card in regular stores just like you would use your regular bank card and it may have more protection than your bank.

[Pam]

Everything Pam said is true. You can also use your credit card through PayPal and they have very good buyer protection. PayPal will also issue a debit card to use the balance you have in your PP account anywhere. I have an online business and I use my PP card in regular stores just like you would use your regular bank card and it may have more protection than your bank.

I have a PP debit card, too.  It's great.

[MomOfMany]

I also have a paypal account and use it for most online purchases when I can.
Question for Pam or anyone else who might know. If I preorder Pets from EA and use my paypal to pay for it will it charge me right away or still not until it ships?
I ask because usually I just use my debit for Sims but I wanted to use my paypal and I chickened out because for what it sounded like it was going to charge my account immediately and I don't have the money yet. I have my paypal already set up with my bank and everything so I know that drill and that is what I am worried about. Do you know when it will charge to my account?

[RaShCl]

I Just use  my Medius Prepaid card that i feed through my bank acount and also use it to pay stuff i buy with paypal.
And it works great.

I download  all my Sim expansions and Stuff packs from amazone
The payment i make with My prepaid card is checked instantly and about  a few secs later i can download the digital item.
Never had any problems  with credits or stuff like that.

So if you realy want a secure payment option consider Paypal in combination with a prepaid Credit card.

[jeanamariex3]

I live in Detroit Michigan, which is in the US. I used my Chase Debit, but it still runs and goes through like Credit, which drives me nuts. I'm not comfortable with it anymore. So can I simply access my Chase Bank account through PP?

[RaShCl]

 
I also have a paypal account and use it for most online purchases when I can. 
Question for Pam or anyone else who might know. If I preorder Pets from EA and use my paypal to pay for it will it charge me right away or still not until it ships? 
I ask because usually I just use my debit for Sims but I wanted to use my paypal and I chickened out because for what it sounded like it was going to charge my account immediately and I don't have the money yet. I have my paypal already set up with my bank and everything so I know that drill and that is what I am worried about. Do you know when it will charge to my account?  

 
 
Well I can tell you that it can take 1 or 2 sometimes 3 workdays before paypal get's the money from my bank acount. 
Normaly what happens is they pay the item in front and then get the money  from your bank acount, if they can't for some reason they send you mail about it and ask if you can pay them by depositing the money in your paypal acount itself. Witch also takes about 3 workdays for your bank to  make that transaction. 
Or they can try to get the money from your bank again. 
 
I must note i have seen them getting the money from my bank acount  the following day, but that happend only once. 
 
So i would say 2-3 work days would be a safe bet, and if your bank has alowed you to stand a  certain amount in red, then it wil not be a problem as long as you  Balance it up again. 
 
And about the items you order i know from experience that EA will send you the pet codes or or things you have bought directly , i did that with some sims stuff.
The only problem you can get is if you dont  pay paypal back in time, they have the ability to get the money back from the company you bought stuff from.
But i havent seen that happen yet. On my acount
 
Hope this helps a bit.

[RaShCl]

I live in Detroit Michigan, which is in the US. I used my Chase Debit, but it still runs and goes through like Credit, which drives me nuts. I'm not comfortable with it anymore. So can I simply access my Chase Bank account through PP?

If you have your bank acount attached to your Paypal acount it should work , but i can only tell you about my bank (A Dutch Bank.)
(But i dont know how other banks in foreign countrys work.)

I asume a bank acount is a bank acount, no matter if its a Dutch or a Usa or other foreign bank.

[Pam]

I also have a paypal account and use it for most online purchases when I can.
Question for Pam or anyone else who might know. If I preorder Pets from EA and use my paypal to pay for it will it charge me right away or still not until it ships?
I ask because usually I just use my debit for Sims but I wanted to use my paypal and I chickened out because for what it sounded like it was going to charge my account immediately and I don't have the money yet. I have my paypal already set up with my bank and everything so I know that drill and that is what I am worried about. Do you know when it will charge to my account?

I believe it takes the money when you make the purchase.  I'm not 100% certain of that, though.

I live in Detroit Michigan, which is in the US. I used my Chase Debit, but it still runs and goes through like Credit, which drives me nuts. I'm not comfortable with it anymore. So can I simply access my Chase Bank account through PP?

I'm a little confused about your debit card going through like a credit card.  Yes, your purchase transaction will look the same, but if you're using a debit card, the transaction will show up on your bank statement or your online statement as a direct withdrawal from your account.  A credit card would send you a statement in the mail or through email and you would have to make the payments to the credit card company.

But, yes, you can access your Chase Bank account through PayPal once you've got it all set up.  For example, let's say you're buying SimPoints on the official site.  When you get to payment options, you select PayPal.  It will direct you to the PayPal log in page and you will log in.  It will show the amount you're paying and if you had a zero balance in your PayPal account, it will show that the funds are coming out of your Chase Bank account.  You click OK and the transaction is done.  You'll see an entry on your Chase account for PayPal and the amount will be deducted from this account.

[RunAmokSims]

I also have a paypal account and use it for most online purchases when I can.
Question for Pam or anyone else who might know. If I preorder Pets from EA and use my paypal to pay for it will it charge me right away or still not until it ships?
I ask because usually I just use my debit for Sims but I wanted to use my paypal and I chickened out because for what it sounded like it was going to charge my account immediately and I don't have the money yet. I have my paypal already set up with my bank and everything so I know that drill and that is what I am worried about. Do you know when it will charge to my account?

I know when I preorder from Amazon, which is advertising the limited version, they take the money from the account when the item is ready to ship, I think EA takes it right away but I'm not sure.  There isn't any rush though. It's a while till October.

[MomOfMany]

I know when I preordered from EA without going through Paypal it didn't go through till it shipped. I know it's no hurry but I am impatient with it and i just want to get it ordered. But I am going to have to wait till I have the money just incase!