>>>>>>>When I charge something against my bank card, debit or credit, my available account balance almost immediately reflects that amount. When I have money tranferred into my bank account, PayPal or a refund on a purchase, I usually will not see anything regarding that transaction from 4 to 10 days. Why is that? It makes me feel that the entire commerce system is evil and only out to screw with my money.
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>>>>>>When you initiate transaction it immediately affects your account. To be precise, credit card purchase will be treated as 'pending' for 1-2 days, i.e. you may see it, but it is not debited yet. When you are on receiving side of the transaction, e.g. expecting a transfer, money will appear only when transaction is authorized and completed, i.e. it is the same 'pending' status for 1-2 days, but on the opposite side of the transaction.
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>>>>>I know what you are saying, but it most definately affects my available balance. It is, for all intents and purposes, the same as not having the money in my account any longer. Why is my deposit not treated the same way?
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>>>>Deposit is not treated this way because it is not authorized/cleared yet. Just imagine if receiving side gets the balance before the clearance completed and cashes it, and then sending side stops the transaction. It would be a gold mine for crooks.
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>>>Why is my charge posted immediately then? You are saying my bank does not trust me, but trusts any friggin vendor that pings my account?
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>>It sounds unfair, but bank trusts you no more that to any other friggin vendor: charges are posted immediately (pending), deposits wait for the opposite side getting clearance.
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>But in the case where I make my visa payment online, and my visa card is with the same bank that has my account, aren't they then the same side?

Two sides mean you and your vendor. Bank transfers payment between these two sides. Your charge will appear on your account immediately, with pending status. The vendor will not get money until your charge is properly authorized and cleared.