Paypal holding a payment

Well, I got the call and was told by the first person they couldn't do anything... I asked for their supervisor same story couldn't do anything, I asked for his supervisor lol This guy said he couldn't lift the hold but would put it in for review, he said best case scenario they release my funds today, worst case I wait until 3 days after the package arrives. He noted I have been with paypal for 7 years without a single incident or dispute and said if it was up to him he'd release it.

Interestingly, when I brought up that I had 3 transactions within 24 hours and only one was held they began to tell me that was high risk... only problem with that is they held the 1ST transactions funds LOL When I brought that up they went all umm uhh umm uhhh LOL How could they have known 2 other items would be sold within 24hrs? What if I hadn't sold the other two items? Yea, I call horse manure.

Anyway, is what it is. Does make me a little salty about paypal.

ETA: How in the hell is 3 transaction in 24hrs high risk? What about ebay sellers?!? Some of those guys probably sell a butt load of items a day. Anyway, I feel as if they were grasping at straws with that excuse.
 
You can't start applying logic with paypal. They will do what they want, when they want. If you sell a "damascus" knife, the payment will go on hold to insure you are not actually funneling money to terror organizations. Although I am relatively sure those that are would not put it in the transaction notes....
 
shinyedges said:
Funny they took their fee immediately.
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To clarify, they're holding the gross [total] payment amount and deducted the fee from your standing balance or they're holding the net [amount minus fee] having already deducted their fee from the total being held?
 
Cereal_killer said:
To clarify, they're holding the gross [total] payment amount and deducted the fee from your standing balance or they're holding the net [amount minus fee] having already deducted their fee from the total being held?
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They are holding the amount that will be transferred to my bank. Which is 250.00 minus their fee, 242.45. So they immediately process the fee and place the remainder of the funds that would go to me on hold.
 
Ah gotcha, not condoning either method but I thought you meant they were holding the gross and deducted their fees from your standing balance and/or bank account.
 
Cereal_killer said:
Ah gotcha, not condoning either method but I thought you meant they were holding the gross and deducted their fees from your standing balance and/or bank account.
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Ah I gotchya. Na, they took their piece from the sale like usual but just held my portion.
 
Could that be a seasonal practice, or a precaution to allow the buyer an extended amount of time to "accept" their purchase?
 
Paypal should stay out of it unless they are asked to intervene by either party. They do this kind of stuff.

Paypal injecting their morality, politics or "big brother" style "security" measures seems to happen more and more.

They need to release your money immediately and apologize to you.
 
Could be an evil plot to randomly pick accounts to hold- creating millions for the company from short term investments :). I am joking, but not like others haven't used such tactics in the past to boost company earnings.
In any case it is wrong to hold funds without notifying the account holder of exactly why they are being held and what the resolution process is-hope this gets worked out for you soon. I have seen some of these cases where the purchase fell through or it caused the person financial hardship.
 
I guess my 7 year spotless record was enough, they released it last night. I had to escalate it to the first guys supervisors manager but did get results, this time... what if there is a next time? Boy they really make me question using their service.

I told the final manager I was seriously considering using other forms of payment. And randomly holding people's money was a good way to lose customers. I mean, 7 years without incident and out of the blue I'm high risk?
 
I'm glad they released your money. Too bad they had to be told to do so and you had to speak to supervisors and such.

It sounds like they never gave you a proper reason as to why they held it though. Knowing your good history with Paypal makes it even stranger that they did that. I guess logic took the day off. Maybe he went fishing:p

I would feel the same as you do and worry about the "next time" a little bit too. The best thing to do is to conduct yourself honestly and openly (as you have and do).

They should do a better job of explaining *clearly* under exactly what circumstances they can hold funds; this should be a part of their User Agreement or Terms of Use. Ambiguity without a clear cut "if-then" type policy is not fair to the user. In other words, a direct cause. Not a suspicion, not a hunch and certainly not "just because."

At least your funds were released :)
 
shinyedges said:
I guess my 7 year spotless record was enough, they released it last night. I had to escalate it to the first guys supervisors manager but did get results, this time... what if there is a next time? Boy they really make me question using their service.

I told the final manager I was seriously considering using other forms of payment. And randomly holding people's money was a good way to lose customers. I mean, 7 years without incident and out of the blue I'm high risk?
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Did they say anything when you expressed your reservations about using PayPal? Or offer any explanation or apology? Just curious as I rely on their service...
 
annr said:
Did they say anything when you expressed your reservations about using PayPal? Or offer any explanation or apology? Just curious as I rely on their service...
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I was told, the "guys in the back" (not sure who exactly that is)would hold everything if it was up to them. Their first priority is protecting paypal. The manager says the "guys up front" (customer service people) would release everyone's holds. He said it's a fine line and they do the holds to protect paypal.

I asked specifically what made my transaction "high risk" and couldn't get a straight answer. He (the manager) apologized for the inconvenience.

Truth be told, I don't think even the customer service department want to release everyones funds. It was the 3rd person I spoke to who actually did anything, the others kept making excuses and telling me I had to wait for my money.

PayPal has a grip on the money transfer/payment system right now and they know it. I will continue to seek out other methods of payment.

In the end, they have your money and can hold it as long as they deem fit. Actually pretty outrageous but hey we agree to it by using the service. The only way to send a clear message is if enough people use other methods and we hurt their profits. Otherwise we as individuals are powerless and at their mercy.
 
Ratman79 said:
I'm glad they released your money. Too bad they had to be told to do so and you had to speak to supervisors and such.

It sounds like they never gave you a proper reason as to why they held it though. Knowing your good history with Paypal makes it even stranger that they did that. I guess logic took the day off. Maybe he went fishing:p

I would feel the same as you do and worry about the "next time" a little bit too. The best thing to do is to conduct yourself honestly and openly (as you have and do).

They should do a better job of explaining *clearly* under exactly what circumstances they can hold funds; this should be a part of their User Agreement or Terms of Use. Ambiguity without a clear cut "if-then" type policy is not fair to the user. In other words, a direct cause. Not a suspicion, not a hunch and certainly not "just because."

At least your funds were released :)
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I agree and appreciate your support. I didn't get a clear answer as to why because I don't believe that had a reason. If they did why not just tell me?

They have the ability to change their policy and basically do as they please with our funds.
 
I despise that helpless feeling shinyedges shinyedges .
PP has reached the big corporate frame of mind......we will decide and offer no explanations.
We are talking about OUR money here. I think it speaks volumes that they took their fee immediately and put your money on hold......why??? You will NEVER get an answer.
I guess a perfect 7 year record means nothing.

The last couple of knives I bought off the Exchange were paid for with a MO.
I have a feeling this will begin happening more often.

Really glad you got your cash released Chris.......I’m curious to know how long it would’ve taken if you didn’t spend lots of time on the phone with them.
Joe
 
shinyedges said:
I was told, the "guys in the back" (not sure who exactly that is)would hold everything if it was up to them. Their first priority is protecting paypal. The manager says the "guys up front" (customer service people) would release everyone's holds. He said it's a fine line and they do the holds to protect paypal.

I asked specifically what made my transaction "high risk" and couldn't get a straight answer. He (the manager) apologized for the inconvenience.

Truth be told, I don't think even the customer service department want to release everyones funds. It was the 3rd person I spoke to who actually did anything, the others kept making excuses and telling me I had to wait for my money.

PayPal has a grip on the money transfer/payment system right now and they know it. I will continue to seek out other methods of payment.

In the end, they have your money and can hold it as long as they deem fit. Actually pretty outrageous but hey we agree to it by using the service. The only way to send a clear message is if enough people use other methods and we hurt their profits. Otherwise we as individuals are powerless and at their mercy.
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Interesting, and not surprising.
Someone advised me to accept checks (personal and otherwise), and I liked the convenience of PayPal, the spreadsheet at the end of the year (no bookkeeping), etc. Checks can be a big hassle too, esp. if they bounce, although easier to deposit instantly now with phone apps.
If you, or anyone else, finds and acceptable substitute, please post here!

Thanks for informing us on this. I had no idea.
 
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PP will just keep chugging along unless someone takes it from them. Amazon is a possibility but I don't know if that is better or not. Money orders are for fossils like me . Younger members don't seem to even know how they work, much less want to go through the process. They live in a cashless society.
Many have already dumped them for various reasons, but it sure doesn't make selling a knife easier.
 
You guys are both right. ^^

I don't think they had a reason either. Palonej got it with the "big corporate" behavior he explained.

I wish they had more accountability too. I'm dating myself here but when Paypal was very new in the late nineties, they had this policy of only being able to be linked to bank accounts. Sure there were hiccups now and again, but they took that responsibility of someone elses money very seriously. You received a mailed statement every month and you were in control of how your money moved around. You could call your bank at any time and get a record of everything--all activity.

It seems as they have grown in scope and corporate "pull," they also have started to ignore the customer's concerns and rights in some ways.

This is not a "hate Paypal" post, just an observation about the fact that they are losing *some* of their best qualities as they get bigger and more influential.
 
I remember that also RM!! At that time you were also able to get someone on the phone that would actually answer concerns or questions.
Chris, Shiny, spoke with a few people and never got a definitive answer to a simple question.
Always bothers me when I get the run around on the phone when I’m just looking for an answer to a simple question.
Joe

Ratman79 said:
You guys are both right. ^^

I don't think they had a reason either. Palonej got it with the "big corporate" behavior he explained.

I wish they had more accountability too. I'm dating myself here but when Paypal was very new in the late nineties, they had this policy of only being able to be linked to bank accounts. Sure there were hiccups now and again, but they took that responsibility of someone elses money very seriously. You received a mailed statement every month and you were in control of how your money moved around. You could call your bank at any time and get a record of everything--all activity.

It seems as they have grown in scope and corporate "pull," they also have started to ignore the customer's concerns and rights in some ways.

This is not a "hate Paypal" post, just an observation about the fact that they are losing *some* of their best qualities as they get bigger and more influential.
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