UGLY - PayPal doesn't like the word "Damascus"

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mjziegler286

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Mar 21, 2013
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Recently purchased a custom Damascus fixed blade on the Exchange. Included the description in the PaypPal message. Low and behold, my payment was now "pending" review for government reasons. Said it would take 72 hours to clear (only took overnight). Calling PayPal won't help because the customer service people claim not to have the power to release the funds.

Just a heads up that if you buy a Damascus blade, you may want to use another term for it.
 
For what it is worth, they randomly do reviews of all sales - not just flagged in descriptions. I have had this happen when buying a camera lens, as well as other items. Yes it's annoying, but I've also never had it not go through within the couple of days specified.
 
Today an other member bought a Damascus blade from the same maker and got "pended" as well. I think I have seen another maker mention in an ad not to include the word "Damascus". The pending message specifically mentions government regulations.
 
I code my Paypal descriptions similar to Kershaws model designations. Ie: BFDAM(makers initials here), or BFPM2SB which equals: " Bladeforums, para military 2 black/satin "
 
I don't ever put anything in the comments and I've never had an issue. We already know that Paypal and Ebay have issues with things they consider to be weapons, why help them censor your transactions by putting details in the comment field?
 
I listed "afo" in a description for a transaction and they held funds for 2 days pending investigation. Apparently Benchmade AFO or either of the parts are flagged terms. They finally released funds, because they couldn't prove AFO was actually a knife. That being said, I love paypal, and don't mind the small fees at all to use their services.
 
I currently work in an anti fraud departement.

Damascus being the Capitol of war torn and ISIS hosting Syria is naturally a flag for investigation.

The fact that there is also a Damascus steel type is a fact that the government probably doesn't take into account.

Besides that the words Damascus in combination with a ''Weapon'' like knife make alarm bells go off double fast.

In due time your transaction will probably be marked a ''false positive'' and will go through.
 
I had one go pending the other other day as well for a damascus lionsteel. I sent the money and it went pending. Cleared a day later but the seller changed his mind in the mean time.

Wish I would have known that paypal was going to freeze a deal between 2 verified US addresses. I guess thats what I get for using paypal the proper way.
 
mjziegler286 said:
Recently purchased a custom Damascus fixed blade on the Exchange. Included the description in the PaypPal message. Low and behold, my payment was now "pending" review for government reasons. Said it would take 72 hours to clear (only took overnight). Calling PayPal won't help because the customer service people claim not to have the power to release the funds.

Just a heads up that if you buy a Damascus blade, you may want to use another term for it.
Click to expand...

believe me I know all about that,be the seller lol they lock it up for this reason! Damascus Capital of Syria they think were ,Well u know
 
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