I always found this kind of strange why it went to my paypal balance first, I hated it and now FREEDOM....
Paypal has quietly switched their age-old policy of requiring the use of your Paypal balance when you have one. We can now use a credit card or bank account to pay even when there is a balance in the Paypal account.
The new policy applies to eBay purchases and all other Paypal purchases too.
Linky to more info...