Question about Non US members and paypal

It seems strange that these things aren't tied together somehow, but maybe it's all still being worked out. I would have guessed at this point people traveling from Paris to Berlin wouldn't have to worry about their bank cards not working. Maybe they do. I'm pretty sure I was able to pay for stuff in Ireland with my American credit card last time I was there. And my checking account comes with a Visa checking card, which I could use like a credit card even if I didn't have one. I guess I was assuming something similar was true for Europeans. Someone should make all these things work together

I can only speak for me in Germany and for me the Paypal way with sl is fine. Asking the bank for a credit card (funded directly by ones bank account, card is an extra service and costs extra here) or getting a free one (with a prepaid balance) should be no problem... though I don't really need one even for sl.
What you get here from your bank as standard service with the account is an EC-card (most of them also include the Maestro service as mentioned above)

@Cadroe: It seems like as it would be a mess and not really working... but in the past (since I can remember) the cards of my two bank accounts always worked within europe (the EU) and in countries near to the EU. Many of the debit cards that seem to be local on the first view offer an included international payment service. They have more than one payment logo on the card (e.g. mine offer Maestro like above)... it's only people don't really know about what that actually means).

The bigger shops here offer credit card payment (and they offer direct debitting ones account as well) but not the smaller ones (like the hardware shops where I prefer to buy).

From some german fellows I heard that LL doesnt allow that paypal debits your bank account afterwards. They want to know that paypal already has the bucks (maybe paypal does only guarantee the transfer if they already have the money... as with a credit card). To be a verifyed one... I transfered money to paypal and I will see if LL accepts that.

I think the Maestro/Solo/Switch debit card is the big stumbling block for most European users as they are not accepted by a lot of non-European international outlets, which is why I don't have one.
However, Visa debit cards, both Visa and Visa-Electron, are widely accepted all over the world and readily available from about half the banks, even with 'basic' accounts!

These cards CANNOT get you into debt as they only function while you have a positive bank balance.

Visa, MasterCard and Amex credit cards are widely available throughout the world. Assuming you meet the required criteria for issue. And if you can afford a SL capable connection/computer I would think you can meet the criteria.
If you are worried about the possession of a credit card being the first step on the road to financial ruin - well, honestly, what can I say? At some point in you life you will have to learn to take control and exercise some self restraint you know.

It's certainly unfair to say it's Linden Lab's fault because they don't accept every obscure credit/debit card on earth. They DO accept the major ones. They HAVE let you in FREE without demanding CC/DC verification, something which hasn't pleased a lot of existing residents.

What else do you expect them to do? <shakes head> Some people amaze me!

You want to use an American service provider? Get your act together, get off your arses and organise yourself an acceptable payment method. If you can't be bothered, please stop whinging.

I live in France, and here, just about everybody has a debit card with their bank account. An international Visa or MasterCard (depending on the bank) costs less than 30€/year and usually comes with a whole bunch of extra bank services and insurances. You really can't live here without one.

I'm really surprised to learn that other countries don't use credit/debit cards as much as we do. How do you fill up petrol without a credit card? Here all petrol/gas stations are open 24/7 for card payment. No card, no petrol. A credit/debit card is required to withdraw cash anyway. No card, no cash (or queue up for hours at your bank). We have the advantage of using microchip cards and every payment requires the PIN code, even in the smallest little shops or restaurants. Car parks, pay phones, toll barriers, train ticket vendors, everything takes a Visa card. The majority of all payments is made nowadays with cards in France. An increasing number of places dont even accept checks anymore.

If you have a problem with credit, get an international Visa debit card. There really is no reason not to and it makes life so much easier, especially on the net.

What is so wrong or difficult about having an international debit card ?

But in France you have to go to the tabac and buy a card just to use the pay phone! Or at least you did in 1998 in Cherbourg

No, you can use payphones with your Visa now too!