Originally Posted by acf573

I don't think that's the case that the transaction is solely between you and Paypal. Paypal is just a transaction processor. Like when you purchase something with Paypal, you don't give up the right to dispute the charge even if Paypal holds up its end of the bargain but the seller doesn't. Paypal would prefer that you go through their dispute process rather than the CC issuer's, but you don't have to.

That said, that is also no guarantee. You could try calling Citi/Chase/etc. to get verification, but even that's no guarantee CSRs have been known to be wrong too (with shocking frequency). Unless you're getting a very significant benefit by purchasing via Paypal, I would say it's probably not worth chancing it.