PayPal horror stories?

[the.batman]

Lately I've been catching threads of people who seem to be having problems with PayPal automatically seizing funds due to purchaser complaints, and locking accounts for violations of apparent PayPal rules.

 

Looking for more feedback as I consider not using PayPal any longer.

[QuickFeet]

Just make sure you understand the PayPal Terms of Service and buyer/seller rights.

 

I've used PayPal for many years and have had two disputes; once as a seller and once as a buyer. Both worked out in my favor; when you buy or sell using PayPal, make sure you save and document all correspondence regarding the transaction.

 

PayPal offers a very good service; Google Pay and Venmo are both excellent methods to send/receive money.

[niscur24]

I have actually tried to stop using PayPal via my account and simply paying direct to websites and checking out in eBay with our cards vs logging/ Iinking my PP account. I really can't stand having our bank account tied to PayPal and every time I try to get them to remove it they won't do it. Even when we pay via card and backup with another card they still tell me something is pending preventing them from removing our account. Hell we can even remove expired cards for the same reason.

 

Most likely will change our checking account number once we move and no longer use PayPal at all.

[DJ412]

I've only had one dispute as a buyer and it was ruled in my favor. Item never received. So far no problems with any buyers.

 

As far as having a bank account tied to it. I have a separate account at a totally different bank tied to PayPal. Keep my wife and Is joint account totally isolated from online payments.

[RSinSG]

My bad experience was trying to delete a bank account I was closing from my PP wallet. "Pending" charges BS wouldn't let me remove it. It took a month of dealing with PP staff.

 

I like DJ's idea of a separate bank account only for PP. Transfer/deposit money to the account sufficient to cover purchases and don't expose your main account to their policies.

[bladehunter]

Paypal sucks out loud period for the little service they provide. Both seller and buyers get screwed royally at times. I could tell horror stories of their loopholes for buyers but I won't. Brings up too many bad memories. Let's just say never accept PayPal for anything over $500 and you will be a happier person in life.

[snapier]

Lately I've been catching threads of people who seem to be having problems with PayPal automatically seizing funds due to purchaser complaints, and locking accounts for violations of apparent PayPal rules.

 

Looking for more feedback as I consider not using PayPal any longer.

 

Keep in mind that most "horror" stories read on line in an open forum, from anonymous posters, are only telling half the story at best.

[the.batman]

Lately I've been catching threads of people who seem to be having problems with PayPal automatically seizing funds due to purchaser complaints, and locking accounts for violations of apparent PayPal rules.

 

Looking for more feedback as I consider not using PayPal any longer.

 

Keep in mind that most "horror" stories read on line in an open forum, from anonymous posters, are only telling half the story at best.

Ah, good point!

[pingeye]

I've been fortunate and have never had a dispute, fingers crossed. However I only link my checking account long enough to transfer funds out of Paypal, then I delete the account. I have PayPal only linked to my Amex for new purchases so I get PayPal and Amex protection.

 

I'm sure PayPal can re-link my checking account based on history in their systems if they wanted to however that would be a pretty shady business practice.

[wrighterjw10]

PayPal saved my butt. Bought a fake vokey in January. Since no golf, never even looked at the club until about 5-6 weeks later. EBay couldn't help, too much time passed. PayPal got me my money back (up to 90 days).

[bob8858]

Not golf related, but I sold a brand new computer on ebay and after 3 month the buyer filed a claim through Paypal said "item not as described". I uploaded the receipt from Fedex showing item delivered with direct signature more than 3 months ago and guess what, Paypal refund his money because the buyer used CC and filed the claim through his/her CC company. Even worse, the buyer never shipped back my computer even Paypal told me they required him/her to sent it back since the payment had been refunded. I contacted Paypal about this issue and was told to contact police in buyer's state and sue the buyer if I want. WTH! The buyer is couple states away from me and how could it be possible for me to do that!?

 

My advice, if you want to buy something from ebay, use your CC and you are 300% protected by ebay, Paypal and your CC company. If you want to sell something on ebay, good luck because you will need it.

[GoIrish17]

Not golf related, but I sold a brand new computer on ebay and after 3 month the buyer filed a claim through Paypal said "item not as described". I uploaded the receipt from Fedex showing item delivered with direct signature more than 3 months ago and guess what, Paypal refund his money because the buyer used CC and filed the claim through his/her CC company. Even worse, the buyer never shipped back my computer even Paypal told me they required him/her to sent it back since the payment had been refunded. I contacted Paypal about this issue and was told to contact police in buyer's state and sue the buyer if I want. WTH! The buyer is couple states away from me and how could it be possible for me to do that!?

 

My advice, if you want to buy something from ebay, use your CC and you are 300% protected by ebay, Paypal and your CC company. If you want to sell something on ebay, good luck because you will need it.

 

I'm not following this. The buyer filed a claim with his credit card company, but PayPal removed the funds from your account?

[Llortamaisey]

I'm bout that Venmo life. Still can't believe they're owned by PayPal. Hope they don't go the way of their parent company. Wish more people on eBay would accept venmo. Both venmo and PayPal are tied to a separate bank account for security purposes. That's a must.

[bob8858]

Not golf related, but I sold a brand new computer on ebay and after 3 month the buyer filed a claim through Paypal said "item not as described". I uploaded the receipt from Fedex showing item delivered with direct signature more than 3 months ago and guess what, Paypal refund his money because the buyer used CC and filed the claim through his/her CC company. Even worse, the buyer never shipped back my computer even Paypal told me they required him/her to sent it back since the payment had been refunded. I contacted Paypal about this issue and was told to contact police in buyer's state and sue the buyer if I want. WTH! The buyer is couple states away from me and how could it be possible for me to do that!?

 

My advice, if you want to buy something from ebay, use your CC and you are 300% protected by ebay, Paypal and your CC company. If you want to sell something on ebay, good luck because you will need it.

 

I'm not following this. The buyer filed a claim with his credit card company, but PayPal removed the funds from your account?

 

Yes, buyer used CC through PayPal to pay for the item on ebay and filed claim through the CC company. The CC company then contacted PayPal and PayPal freeze the funds right away and required uploading my evidence.

[iyi4iyian]

it's simple...you break the rules, you pay the price

[sbeduckman]

A guy on Golf Club Traders FB page bought a couple Cobra tipped shafts from me. He put "GCT cobra" in the comment box. His payment was locked by "federal government security" to do a check into the purchase. Apparently, his tag set off red flags and they thought he was purchasing illegal reptiles. They said 10 business days to clear it up...took a month. Wasn't a huge concern for either of us, but we got a good laugh out of it. On a serious note though, it looks like some sort of federal agency is reviewing PP transactions.

[Whatsinthebag]

The real problem with eBay and pp is that the case workers know absolutely nothing about anything. You get some minimum wage loser deciding your fate based on nothing more than his mood at the time. They're not trained in antiques, golf clubs, electronics or anything else for that matter.

[southpaw72]

The real problem with eBay and pp is that the case workers know absolutely nothing about anything. You get some minimum wage loser deciding your fate based on nothing more than his mood at the time. They're not trained in antiques, golf clubs, electronics or anything else for that matter.

Because there's a surplus of electronic, golf club, art, antique, collectibles, jewelry, fine china , etc experts out there hoping to land a minimum wage job answering phones in a cubicle 8 hrs a day.

[cehb]

Not golf related... About 8 years ago I sold a fridge on eBay, was a wedding gift a couple of years earlier and we had since upgraded. Buyer paid, got someone to come around and pick it up and everyone was happy. Well until I tried to withdraw the money from Paypal, they (Paypal) had decided because it was an "abnormally large amount", they would freeze the funds until I could provide, among other things, documentation stating I was an authorised reseller for that brand. Thought it would be a simple fix, rang up and explained that I wasn't a reseller, it was a second hand fridge which was received as a gift. Fair enough the Paypal rep said, all we will need is the original receipt and your ABN (business number) of which I had neither as 1, it was a gift, and 2, I wasn't a business! It went backwards and forwards for about 2 months like this and I finally lost patience and lodged a claim in the small claims court. Got the judgement, faxed it to Paypal and pretty soon the funds were released and I thought that was the end of the story.

 

Fast forward 6 months later, I received an email from Paypal stating that they had reviewed my complaint and had found in my favour and had refunded my money! I thought it must have been a scam email so went into Paypal to make sure nothing fishy was going on and sure enough, $700 was sitting in there! Contacted Paypal several times telling them there had been a mistake and I had already received my refund and just got the usual "thanks for letting us know, we will look into it" reply and nothing was ever done about it and it still sits in that account to this very day.

[stage1350]

I have been with PayPal forever and a day. Tried to log on my work computer a few days ago. They now will not give you the option to verify yourself with a phone text or any other way. They expected me to change my password. (The one that hasn't been hacked in over 10 years) I politely declined the customer service rep and he restores my account so I can access it and print postage for some items I have sold.

 

Not even 5 minutes later, I get an email that they have deactivated my PP Debit Card. It took almost 3 hours on hold to get someone to finally reactivate it.

 

They really need to stop with the over the top security "for my protection." :rolleyes:

[GoIrish17]

A guy on Golf Club Traders FB page bought a couple Cobra tipped shafts from me. He put "GCT cobra" in the comment box. His payment was locked by "federal government security" to do a check into the purchase. Apparently, his tag set off red flags and they thought he was purchasing illegal reptiles. They said 10 business days to clear it up...took a month. Wasn't a huge concern for either of us, but we got a good laugh out of it. On a serious note though, it looks like some sort of federal agency is reviewing PP transactions.

 

This is the most disturbing post in this thread. There's an actual cobra black market in America? God, I thought normal, domestic snakes in the garden were frightening.

[Medic]

Buy with PP? You will be A-Ok.

 

But sell? Man it's a 50-50 gamble. Too many scammers out there, PP takes the side of the buyer much of the time, and they freeze money faster than the blink of an eye. Guilty until you prove yourself innocent and sadly sellers really aren't afforded a lot of protection.

 

What is REALLY sad is that there aren't that many online banking formats that offer security, reasonable fees, and are accepted by lots of sellers.

 

I can remember a situation back in 2000 when I buyer tried to claim that the irons I sold him were not as spec'd. PP did a great job for me back then and their investigation included my being able to present them with the original sales docs that showed the serial numbers and the specs. All along my funds were free and available and they found in my favor.

Same thing happens now I might as well start the return process.

 

Sad.....