Why doesn't Apple want my money?

April 2, 2006 12:10 AM

Why can't I buy music from itunes using a bank account?

I have a Paypal account that is tied to my bank account. I don't have a credit card because I'm 16 and I don't think I can even legally get one. I used my Paypal account to set up an itunes account because I got an itunes giftcard. So, now the giftcard is nearly gone and I still want to make the occasional purchase. I apparently need either a credit card or a debit card with Visa or Mastercard on it to use my Paypal account on itunes. Why?? I have money in my account I would like to give to Apple, but apparentaly it would rather I purchased it on credit. Paypal has no problem letting me buy things with the money I have in the bank, but itunes isn't satisfied. Why does itunes need a credit card for purchases? Does it not trust Chase and Paypal that I exist? I can't figure it out. And I still want my music! If anyone has a suggestion that doesn't involve a trip to the bank, I would appreciate it.

posted by MadamM to shopping (15 comments total)

iTunes just doesn't take PayPal. There's no reason they should have to.
posted by oaf at 12:25 AM on April 2, 2006

I think you can buy iTunes gift cards at Target. I've seen them in the checkout line.
posted by oaf at 12:27 AM on April 2, 2006

Oh, wait, they do take PayPal now. I'm guessing they require a debit card as a backup payment option because when PayPal payments fail to go through, I'm pretty sure they get taken from the recipient as well, so they want to make sure they're not out money.
posted by oaf at 12:29 AM on April 2, 2006

Yeah, but why is my bank account a less reliable way to get money than a credit card? Paypal has verified my account, itunes takes Paypal; why doesn't itunes accept my bank account?
posted by MadamM at 12:41 AM on April 2, 2006

I always find this very frustrating too (don't have a credit card either). To buy stuff from iTunes I had to sign up with Click&Buy which works like PayPal in that it withdraws money from my account to make online payments. This is for iTunes Germany, though, I don't know if your iTunes store allows Click&Buy payments, too?
posted by mumble at 1:37 AM on April 2, 2006

Ask iTunes.
posted by sophist at 1:41 AM on April 2, 2006

It probably has something to do with the chargeback process associated with credit cards. Either that, or maybe Paypal can't verify imediately if you have enough funds for a bank account payment as opposed to the instant-feedback of a credit card. I know that lots of ebay sellers only allow credit-card paypal purchases as well.
posted by antifuse at 5:29 AM on April 2, 2006

iTunes Music Store support page about PayPal payments

Can I use existing PayPal funds to pay for music?
Yes. When you set up pre-approved payments with iTunes, any existing PayPal funds will automatically be used first. Like most PayPal purchases, your PayPal stored balance will be your default payment method.

Do I need a credit card to pay for music using PayPal?
A credit card is not required. However, if you do not wish to add a credit card, you must add a debit card or add and confirm a bank account before you can send money with your PayPal account. Learn more about adding funding sources.

According to the source, you do not need a credit card. You do, however need to either:

(a) already have funds in your PayPal account; or
(b) 'confirm' your bank account with PayPal.

Have you tried either of these?
posted by chrismear at 7:04 AM on April 2, 2006

Buying the gift/prepaid iTunes cards at Target seems like a great idea, since you could use cash, check, debit, credit, etc. to buy the card.
posted by markmillard at 8:07 AM on April 2, 2006

Can't you just put some $$$ from your bank account into the PayPal account?

Am I missing something?
posted by Wild_Eep at 8:09 AM on April 2, 2006

Why not just ask your parents if you can do itunes using their credit card number. Promise to pay up at the end of each month.
posted by bim at 9:40 AM on April 2, 2006

FWIW, I'm having similar trouble w/ Paypal and iTunes. I have a credit card and a bank account linked and confirmed with PayPal but when I attempt to buy any music with my PayPal account I am asked to set up a "billing agreement" between iTunes and PayPal. I've probably set up this billing agreement 20 times (w/ confirmation emails from PayPal) but I've never once been able to buy a song using PayPal. It's like the process never really completes.

Has anyone successfully used PayPal on iTunes? I'm doubtful.
posted by ryanhealy at 11:16 AM on April 2, 2006

Hmm. I'm not very familiar with Paypal because I don't use it much. I didn't know you could move money from your bank account to a Paypal account. Also, I had to go through a verification process when I first added my bank account to the Paypal account. That seems to be what the support page is saying I need, so I still don't know why it doesn't work. The money I have in my account is from a Target giftcard, but I'm 5 cents short of having enough left for a TV show. The problem with the Target card is that I need to physically go and buy it, which is hard when I really want to watch the Office at three in the morning.
posted by MadamM at 11:20 AM on April 2, 2006

You can get a check card tied to your account when you're a minor. I had a debit card and credit card (for overdraft protection) tied to my Wells Fargo checking account when I was 15.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:40 AM on April 2, 2006

buy an iTunes gift card at any number of vendors. easy peasy. why make it harder than it needs to be?
posted by puddles at 3:27 PM on April 2, 2006