Online shopping is very popular. Of course, this also includes online payment. Nowadays there are quite a few different options for this. PlusOnline highlights a number of popular digital payment methods with their advantages and disadvantages.
In the first part of this article iDEAL and credit cards were discussed. In this second part, a number of other payment methods are reviewed.
paypal
In addition to being used by web shops, the PayPal system is also often used on auction and sales sites such as eBay and Marktplaats. To use PayPal, you must first register once (for free) with the payment system on the associated site.
You then provide a number of personal details and how you want the payment to be arranged. This can be done via a separate PayPal account into which you deposit money or by automatically transferring a certain amount from your bank account or credit card.
PayPal is a widely accepted payment system in the Netherlands and abroad. An additional advantage of PayPal is that it uses a chargeback system just like credit cards. So you get your money back in case of failed orders. That also applies to failed purchases on eBay and Marktplaats. PayPal is useful if you want to order abroad from a store that does not accept iDEAL. You then pay indirectly from your bank account by depositing money into your PayPal account and then paying with PayPal.
Prepaid credit cards
www.pay2d.nl
https://prepaid.yourmastercard.nl
www.money2gocard.nl
If you don’t need a credit card for which you pay a subscription fee, but still want to occasionally pay with a credit card online, a prepaid credit card is a solution.
Paying with such a prepaid credit card at an online store works the same as with a regular credit card. But with a prepaid credit card you first deposit money into your account with the card and only then pay with it. With a normal credit card it works the other way around.
An additional advantage of this is that you do not spend too much money so quickly. If the limit of your prepaid card has been reached, you cannot purchase anything further until you top up the card first. So you can’t buy in the red at a high interest rate like with a regular credit card. Also interesting: a prepaid card does not have a BKR registration as standard.
You must first create an account with a prepaid credit card before you can pay with it online. Keep in mind that you pay surcharges for using the card. For example for topping up, payments outside the EU and cash withdrawals.
An example of a prepaid credit card is the pay2d Visa card, but there are also other parties that offer prepaid credit cards, such as Mastercard and Money2Go. The pay2d prepaid Visa card and other cards can be ordered online on the corresponding site. You can choose from a virtual or a plastic card. With the first you only get the card details without a plastic card. That is enough for online shopping.
Paysafecard
The Paysafecard is a separate type of prepaid credit card. It differs from other credit cards because it allows you to pay anonymously online. The Paysafecard is also often used for special purchases, such as on websites for ringtones and online games.
There are two types of Paysafecard: the regular Paysafecard and the Paysafecard junior. The latter is especially intended for young people under the age of 18. For example, the junior version cannot be used on online gambling websites.
Paying with Paysafecard also works differently than with regular credit cards. You buy a Paysafecard with a fixed credit of €10, €25, €50 or €100. The back of the Paysafecard has a scratch layer with a (pin) code underneath. You enter this code when paying on the web store site.
You can combine a maximum of ten Paysafecards with each other if you want to pay larger amounts than €100. If you still have credit on a card, you can still pay with it later.
With the credit on a Paysafecard you pay for the first twelve months without any expenses. After that, you pay administration costs every month. So it is wise to pay in time with your Paysafecard.
The Paysafecard is for sale at kiosks, supermarkets, tobacconists and petrol stations.
AfterPay
The name AfterPay says it all: with this payment system you only pay afterwards, after your order. AfterPay advances the amount to be settled. This has the advantage that you can first view the order at home and possibly return it without having to pay.
Do you like the order? You will receive a payment overview from AfterPay within a few days of placing the order, which you must pay within 14 days. This is possible with iDEAL, internet banking or direct debit. If you do not pay on time, interest and collection costs will be added. To use AfterPay, you register once with your first order with AfterPay.
AfterPay can be used at online stores in the Netherlands and abroad. However, some webshops charge extra costs for paying with AfterPay.
Gift Cards
Gift vouchers have of course existed outside the digital world for a while. In the form of gift cards, they are now also very popular with online shopping. Quite a few online stores now sell gift cards. These are for sale on their website, but also at supermarkets, gas stations, kiosks and other shops.
A good example is Apple’s iTunes gift cards that allow you to purchase music and movies from the online iTunes Store. But also stores such as Bol.com and Wehkamp have gift cards with different values on offer.
When shopping online with gift cards, you always have the option of entering the code on the card at the checkout at the affiliated stores. If you cannot pay for your entire order with the amount on the gift card, you can settle the rest with another method, such as iDEAL. Do you still have money left on the card? Then you can usually spend that later.
Please note that you sometimes have to spend the card within a certain period. Often a number of years after the card was issued or a number of years after the last payment was made with the card.
