Paying a £3000 new boiler bill with Amex via PayPal

[lonjams]

We’ve recently had our boiler replaced by a local gas and plumbing limited company. The invoice for the work has just come through and to my surprise, they have provided their paypal email as a means of payment, in addition to their bank transfer details.

I occasionally make small purchases on eBay but nothing near this size. If I paid for the bill with my Amex gold via paypal:

1. Would I get into any trouble with Amex or Paypal? Or even any hassle?
2. Would it offer any additional protection paying this way over a bank transfer?

Many thanks.

[NorthernLass]

The payment amount itself shouldn’t be a problem, though there’s always the chance that the company has disabled the ability to charge Amex, in which case that option will be closed to you.

You will forego Amex’s protection, but would still be able to open a Paypal dispute – though hopefully the boiler will come with a warranty which would cover any issues you might have with it during the relevant period.

Bank transfer probably has the least protection of any payment method.

[runnerbean]

We paid our estate agent an eye watering sum using PayPal/Amex eight years ago. I can’t remember if it was in one lump or several tranches, but it worked fine

[NorthernLass]

That must have taken the sting out of it a bit! I think the most I’ve paid in one go is the annual council tax.