I started researching this article by reading stuff that talked about over 20 brick & mortar retailers that accepted PayPal on in-store purchases. I was like “Wow, that is cool! I had no idea so many stores did that.”

Then I started digging a bit further. Made a bunch of phone calls and talked to a bunch of store reps. Turns out very few brick & mortar stores currently accept PayPal.

So it’s actually kind of cool that I’m setting the record straight on this one and giving you a legitimate way to pay in-store without ever having to take your wallet out of your pants or purse.

Personally, I love the option to use my PayPal balance to make purchases at these stores. As a dude who is constantly selling stuff on eBay, it is a fantastic way for me to use my PayPal balance on stuff I need.

To make this dealio work the first thing you need to do is download the free PayPal app for your iPhone or Android. Once you have your account synced to your phone all you have to so is display it while checking out.

If the store doesn’t have the ability to scan your phone you can just enter your PayPal account information on the payment keypad.

PayPal Setup Instructions:

From the PayPal website, here is what you need to do to set up your PayPal account for in-store purchases:

1. Log in to PayPal.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Go to Payment preferences.
4. Go to In-store checkout to activate, set payment methods, receive payment card and set PIN.
5. Enter the required information and click “Save”.
6. You’ll receive a PayPal payment card in the mail in 7-10 business days to the home address in your PayPal profile.

Abercrombie & Fitch

~ When shopping in-store at Abercrombie & Fitch, they’ll happily accept PayPal. Specifically, when checking out at at your local A&F, you’ll be given the option of using PayPal to pay by credit card, bank transfer, or current PayPal account balance. Cool stuff.

Advanced Auto Parts

~ The next time you’re shopping for auto parts and accessories at Advance Auto Parts you can leave your wallet in your pocket and simply use your PayPal account to pay.

You can either use your current PayPal balance, bank transfer. or credit card on file to pay. Very handy, especially if you carry a PayPal balance from items you recently sold on eBay. Hint, hint.

Aeropostale

~ Aero is happy to accept PayPal as a form of payment when shopping at your local retail location.

Just select PayPal as your form of payment and the employee will either scan a QR code created within the PayPal mobile app or you’ll have to punch in a 4 digit code into the PIN pad.

Also, keep an eye out for exclusive Aeropostale coupons via the PayPal app to sweeten the deal even further.

American Eagle Outfitters

~ I was shopping at my local American Eagle the other day and when I was checking it out I saw they also accept Paypal.

I asked the gal behind the register if many people used it and she said that to her surprise she typically had a couple people a day use it. Cool.

Dollar General

~ I called up my local Dollar General store and asked if they accepted PayPal as a form of payment. I was told that they absolutely do, but the lady I talked to had never actually had anyone try it.

She wanted me to come in to her store and test it out so she knew exactly how it worked. Funny.

Famous Footwear

~ Next on my list was to call my local Famous Footwear and YES they do accept PayPal as a form of payment. The lady I talked to had to go and ask to make sure, but rest assured they do. Must not be very popular yet.

It is so darn easy to pay with a credit card that PayPal is having a hard time getting consumers to change their payment habits.

Home Depot

~ I was shopping at my local Home Depot just last weekend, buying some fencing supplies to keep my pygmy goats from escaping, when I noticed on the keypad at checkout that they accept PayPal.

I asked the cashier if many people used it and he said “more recently they have been” which I thought was an encouraging sign.

Jamba Juice

~ Last year Jamba Juice started testing a relationship with PayPal that would allow you to pre-order your smoothie via the PayPal iPhone app and pay for it as well.

While your local Jamba Juice location may not be a part of the test group to pre-order, you can still use the PayPal app to pay for your favorite smoothie. If you are a huge JJ fan like me, be sure to also check out my article 6 Cool Ways to Save Money at Jamba Juice.

Mapco Express

~ Convenience store and gas station Mapco now accepts PayPal for in-store purchases.  “In-store purchases” is a bit redundant I suppose as it’s tricky to buy gasoline online these days…or any days for that matter.

Marshalls

~ The discount store Marshalls started accepting PayPal last year, both for online and in-store purchases.

Office Depot

~ I called my local Office Depot and sure enough they also accept PayPal when checking out in-store. Just have to enter your account information into the keypad and you’ll be good to go.

Nice to know, especially after calling about 10 different retailers who received press attention in the past year for accepting PayPal in-store who don’t actually do it. On a side-note, Office Max does NOT accept PayPal on in-store purchases.

Radio Shack

~ For those of you who have been following the slow tanking of Radio Shack this one might not surprise you. So I call up my local “Shack” and ask if they accept PayPal for in-store purchases. (I figured they must as I read a bunch of articles talking about their agreement with PayPal)

The manager tells me “they absolutely do, but their payment keypads don’t have letters on them, only numbers, so PayPal won’t work.”

Wow, so let me get this straight, you enter into an agreement with PayPal but don’t have the foresight to make sure you have the technology in place to make it work. Adios to the Shack, nice knowing you. If I ever need parts for my Tandy I’ll be sure to look you up.

Rooms To Go

~ Rooms To Go is a popular furniture store based in Florida with stores all through the southeast. I called one of their location and yes indeed they accept PayPal when making a purchase in one of their furniture showrooms.

Good to know, especially if you have a large PayPal balance and need some new furniture.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Stores that were rumored to accept PayPal in-store but DO NOT include Babies R Us, Toys R Us, American Eagle, Barnes & Noble, JCPenney, Jos A Bank, Tiger Direct, and Nine West.

Ask the Reader: Have you ever used PayPal to make an in-store purchase? If you did, how did it go, was it an easy process?

By Kyle James

Image courtesy of PayPal.