Forced to use wallet?

[Goodly]

Hi everybody, I was just wondering if I have to add funds to my Steam wallet in order to make a purchase. I've recently decided to buy a CS:GO crate key just for the hell of it. As you guys probably already know the keys only cost $2.49 but the minimum amount of money you can add to the wallet is $5. I remember before that I could simply use my debit card to make purchases on Steam, is this no longer possible? Do I have to spend $5 just to buy one key?

[Brujeira]

I'm sure I saw one of the mods post that they could add smaller amounts to the wallet by doing it through the Steam website rather than through the client. I haven't tried it myself so I don't know if it's something everyone can do or if it's just limited to certain countries or currencies. Try logging in through your browser and see if it gives you the option.

[Kargor]

Steam itself has no such option, but the Enhanced Steam plugin does. However, a quick look at the browser page suggests that even with Enhanced Steam, the minimum amount that can be added to the wallet is still €5 for me (so I'm guessing it's $5 for you); it merely lets me enter any amount.

[Brujeira]

Originally posted by Kargor:

Steam itself has no such option, but the Enhanced Steam plugin does. However, a quick look at the browser page suggests that even with Enhanced Steam, the minimum amount that can be added to the wallet is still €5 for me (so I'm guessing it's $5 for you); it merely lets me enter any amount.

That would have been it then... the post I saw must have been about adding custom amounts rather than smaller amounts.

[WooHoo ツ]

Only way to buy a key (on the market or in the game shop) is to use the Steam Wallet. You could also trade for one.

Its never been possible to use a credit\debit card to buy from the steam market or in a game shop (CS:GO, TF2, Dota 2). You've always needed to use the Steam Wallet.

The reason why the minium amount is $5 is because everytime someone puts money in the Steam Wallet, Valve gets a charge from the credit card company.

If people started putting in small amounts, Valve would start to lose money on credit card fees.

[Goodly]

Ah okay that makes sense, I've never made an in game purchase before so I didn't know there was no other option. Thanks a lot.

Originally posted by WooHoo ツ:

Only way to buy a key (on the market or in the game shop) is to use the Steam Wallet. You could also trade for one.

Its never been possible to use a credit\debit card to buy from the steam market or in a game shop (CS:GO, TF2, Dota 2). You've always needed to use the Steam Wallet.

The reason why the minium amount is $5 is because everytime someone puts money in the Steam Wallet, Valve gets a charge from the credit card company.

If people started putting in small amounts, Valve would start to lose money on credit card fees.

[ColdBat]

When you are buying the item and you go to check-out and you don't have funds ,the "Buy" option will be replaced by a "Add funds" option", clicking it will bring to the Add Funds Page and there will be a option to add the funds necessary to pay(edit) that item you are buying ,and you can pay directly with your credit card.