eBay 'Pending' Payments

[TWINSET]

Not sure if anyone's suffered this yet, but I've just sold my first item where they withold the funds until the customer is 'happy'

The item was a camera lens. On first 'sale' paypal sent me an email explaining the were hold ing the funds until such time they could be sure the customer was satisfied with the purchase so I cancelled the sale as I wasn't prepared to wait for the customer to act in order for my funds to be released - It takes me days, sometimes weeks to leave feedback.

At this point I called Paypal to see why this happened.

They had sent a mail with several possible reasons, but I wanted to check.

I spoke to a chap in Ireland who said it could be a 'desireable' item - usually iPad, iPod etc or maybe a high value item (£170, so not really) or it could be down to inactivity on the account - I sold something two months ago, but bought a lot in between. (Ironically, the last item I sold was a camera lens for £170!)

He also said had I called before cancelling the sale he might've been able to help.

Whilst discussing the situation with the chap, talkimg about account standing etc., it transpires I've had about £40,000 go through Paypal in the 14 years since I've registered and only two negatives as a seller, neither of which resulted in refunds or any communication from the buyers.

So I relisted the item, it sold again, and the funds were witheld again.

I rang Paypal to try and sort this out only to be told once the funds are witheld there's no way anyone can release them manually, they'll only be available to me once the customer's happy or not registered a complaint about the item.

Complete contradiction to the first call, but confirmed by a 'supervisor' when I request the issue be escalated.

So I let this one run.

Posted the goods same day, added tracking info to eBay and Paypal and waited.

Day 2, checked eBay; buyer's left positivie feedback already.

Checked Paypal, funds still held

Called Paypal, got through to Manilla this time (options are Manilla, Ireland or Newcastle apparently)

Explained I'd received positive feedback but funds are still pending, asked how I get them released.

Was told they'd be released automatically on the 21st of April!

I explained that the customer's already left positive feedback but apparently Paypal can't access my eBay account to verify this so the process takes 7 days and there's no way to process it quicker - The whole world can see my eBay feedback but Paypal can't

So, if you're selling on eBay and the funds get witheld, chances are you will be waiting 7 days for the funds to hit your account.

I just got a call-handler questionnaire from Paypal, I pity the poor sap that has to read the comments.

[Nitomor]

Sounds incredibly frustrating. Surely they're going to sink themselves the way they're carrying on, just needs a decent competitor to step in.

[beefmuffin]

I'm currently experiencing what I can guess is a related issue... stemming from Paypal and Ebay no longer playing nice. I won an auction. Paid. Funds deducted from my bank. For some reason the seller hasn't gotten the funds yet... inexperienced seller so I had assumed maybe they'd set something up with Paypal wrong. Seller hasn't shipped nor responded to any emails. Ebay is showing the payment as "pending"... even though Paypal shows clearly that my money has left my account.

Since Ebay has the horrible policy of only providing customer service via the lamest kind of call centers and not by email or chat or anything I had to call them and have an incredibly annoying conversation with the rep basically revolving around the conclusion that Ebay can't see the Paypal status and won't register the transaction as payment sent. They wanted me to contact Paypal separately so that I could make sure the seller got their money. Umm... why is that my problem or responsibility??

The whole thing is hyper-annoying. Apparently the seller has 20 days to actually ship the item before it really matters... so my choices are either to cancel and get my money back (not what I want to do... bidding on and winning the auction and paying were not done accidentally) or wait until the end of the month probably to hear some lame excuse and get my money back. Meanwhile I wouldn't be surprised if the whole issue had something to do with the seller not liking the price the auction ended at. Boo hoo hoo.

[73robb]

I had a similar problem, recently sold my first items for quite a while and had to wait about 10 days before the funds were available. Apparntley it is because I am not a frequent seller, so my feedback needs to build up first.

I though the whole thing ran on overall feedback, not just as a seller, so wasn't impressed especially as they were emailing to say I had to post the items within 48 hours even though I couldn't access my my funds, which included the buyer paying the postage fees!

[taliesin]

Yup, had two "pending" payments lingering in my account for ages, long after the sale was complete and the item received. Add this to the long list of why internet purchasing isn't fun anymore. Paypal and Ebay have really improved the shopping experience now, yes sir!

Soon the TSA will have security lines at the purchase site and shopping online will be as "easy and efficient" as air travel. YAY!

[TWINSET]

I'm currently experiencing what I can guess is a related issue... stemming from Paypal and Ebay no longer playing nice. I won an auction. Paid. Funds deducted from my bank. For some reason the seller hasn't gotten the funds yet... inexperienced seller so I had assumed maybe they'd set something up with Paypal wrong. Seller hasn't shipped nor responded to any emails. Ebay is showing the payment as "pending"... even though Paypal shows clearly that my money has left my account.

Chances are if $$ aren't showing in his account he's not shipping nuthin' - Can't say I blame him to be honest - I emailed my first buyer and told her there was no way I'm shipping goods without spendable funds in my account but I later found a refund button and cancelled the transaction.

The more people this system upsets, the greater chance there is that they'll jack it in.

Just been on the phone to Paypal again and the hold I'm experiencing is a 'one off security hold' where 'the computer' has noticed irregular activity either with me or the buyer - they can't/won't say which.

From my side it could be because I've not sold much lately, or the value of this item is higher than usual (last three sales including this one; £170, £22.50, £170)

From his side it could be a lot of buying at once (poss card frauad etc)

Whatever it is, I wasn't told.

So, the funds are released 21 days after sale unless tracking number is placed on Paypal site (not eBay) which reduces release time to 7 days domestic, 14 days international.

Part of the reason for applying this hold is to protect me from card fraud apparently - even though I've posted the goods and don't have the funds, them holding the money somehow protects me more than letting me have the money as I won't end up with a negative balance in the event of a fraud - As I was eligible for seller protection, I'm not sure why I'd ever end up with a negative balance!

Their system's also busted, had I not phoned and got the guy to look at the transaction, their system wouldn't have changed the reelease time from 21 to 7 days.

Complete farce.

If you get a payment held make sure you hassle Paypal for it and phone at least twice.

Manilla; You'll get money on 21st sir

Ireland: No, system's broke, it hasn't registered tracking details so had you not called it would've been three week

I had a similar problem, recently sold my first items for quite a while and had to wait about 10 days before the funds were available. Apparntley it is because I am not a frequent seller, so my feedback needs to build up first.

I though the whole thing ran on overall feedback, not just as a seller, so wasn't impressed especially as they were emailing to say I had to post the items within 48 hours even though I couldn't access my my funds, which included the buyer paying the postage fees!

Yup, part of the advice on how to stop it triggering again was sell over £160 in three months - I pointed out this item sold for £170 but the sarcasm was overlooked.

[tam-trucks]

last time i had this withheld money,i cancelled the transaction

[taliesin]

Time for a new app / service. Ebay and Paypal are turning into bad caricatures of themselves.

[Nitomor]

They're really capitalising on the whole 'buyer protection'. I transacted my Hilux out of ebay but with paypal.

Maybe the way to do it is to advertise at a higher buy it now with make offer, then give discount for out of ebay conclusion. If the person is verified with paypal or if they want to internet bank transfer and supply ID such as photo driving license that matches bank details happy days.

I'm not sure how far Paypal buyer protection works for private transactions. Anyone know?

[wolfdogstinkus]

yes, also had this happen, sold rc car, got money, sold a book and the funds were withheld.

I was selling on there because I needed money, so how can I post the item with no money to post it?

Got it now but it was annoying having to find money that I didn't have to post the item.

[Nobbi1977]

I just had an odd one. Sold some new RC parts and money went in so I posted them.

Next day funds retracted to pending. I have spent them so account in negative figures.

PayPal claim account used without buyers knowledge. Item arrives at registed address and PayPal eventually release the funds but also refunds the buyer. So he gets free bits and I could not use my account for two weeks due to it being negative balance.

[Wooders28]

Can only guess PayPal is keeping payments as a way of making extra cash out of interest payments?

Wiki says they traded $230 billion,which would be millions in interest over a week.

[InsaneJim69]

One reason why I try not to sell on ebay if I can help it. Ebay is always my last resort. Their fee's are bad enough, then paypal takes a chunk, then you get some people trying it on saying item was not as described etc.

Its a pity TC hasn't got a non r/c sales section for all smaller items that can be posted but are not r/c related, i.e. Ipads, lenses, console and pc games etc etc.

James

[Wooders28]

Since eBay bought PayPal its been about making money,eBay has hiked the price to sell stuff too. I'm surprised Gumtree is still free to list since Ebay bought it.

[InsaneJim69]

Since eBay bought PayPal its been about making money,eBay has hiked the price to sell stuff too. I'm surprised Gumtree is still free to list since Ebay bought it.

Just to note Ebay no longer owns Paypal as of last year

James

[TWINSET]

Its a pity TC hasn't got a non r/c sales section for all smaller items that can be posted but are not r/c related, i.e. Ipads, lenses, console and pc games etc etc.

James

There's never been anything stopping non-RC ads in the 'outside world' forum, just not many people use it for that

For instance;

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=79236

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=75035&hl=sale

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=58506&hl=sale

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=54089&hl=sale

[yogi-bear]

.... I'm surprised Gumtree is still free to list since Ebay bought it.

Gumtree make money by trying to nickel and dime you. Pay a couple of dollars to boost your ad, or show discounted sales stickers etc. It can get expense quickly if you buy into their sales gimmicks. I've found gumtree great if you want to sell something local and really cheap, but otherwise useless.

Have been caught out with the "funds withheld" policy too. Idiotic in my view and doesn't seem to be applied consistently.

My current problem with eBay is with their "Global Shipping Program". I bought a 1976 Bicentennial passport from the US, shipped to Australia. Got a notification that it had been delivered. It went to my Mum's place, who is home all the time. Trouble is nothing had been delivered.

So took it up with eBay, who didn't want to know as it was marked as delivered. After a couple of email eventually got a number for the courier to ring (Fedex). Turns out Fedex don't deliver it, but hand it off to Australia Post, so rang them. They looked into it and nope it hadn't been delivered, it was in another state for some reason.

Fedex would have had this information too, so whoever looked into for me at eBay didn't look into very hard! So back to hassling eBay, and say I have to contact the seller. After a rude email to them, they've given me a number to ring that allows me to ring the US global shipping program (thats today's job). On of the annoying things is Fedex gets to list the parcel "delivered" once they've handed it off to Australia Post. They are allowed to infer its been delivered!

[MadInventor]

Reading all this, the first thought that runs through my head is that there is an alternative to paypal that nows appears to be faster to get cleared funds if you're buying in the same country. It's called a cheque . 2 days to deliver and 5 days to clear.

If I sell stuff on Ebay now it's cash on collection or nothing.

[Nobbi1977]

If I sell stuff on Ebay now it's cash on collection or nothing.

Unless it is a motor vehicle I do not want people coming to my home

[Nitomor]

In the uk I use internet bank transfer where possible. For abroad paypal seems easiest for the moment.

I've had someone send me cash with royal mail special delivery which was unusual but nice!

[InsaneJim69]

There's never been anything stopping non-RC ads in the 'outside world' forum, just not many people use it for that

For instance;

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=79236

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=75035&hl=sale

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=58506&hl=sale

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=54089&hl=sale

Ah thats very handy to know

Thank you,

James

[Wooders28]

Just to note Ebay no longer owns Paypal as of last year

Never thought they sell PayPal!

My current problem with eBay is with their "Global Shipping Program"

Not had much success with that system either:-

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=72850&view=&hl=&fromsearch=1

In the uk I use internet bank transfer where possible. For abroad paypal seems easiest for the moment.

I've done that with the last few items ive bought off here,although I don't have Internet banking so had to go into the bank.

I've had someone send me cash with royal mail special delivery which was unusual but nice!

I've posted money to the states for 1:1 parts,but that was before paypal.

I've only got my creditcard listed on paypal,and tbh I don't think I've seen the ebay cash as I've usually spent it before the statement arrives!

[ChrisRx718]

I've just noticed this too!

I sent some 'beer tokens' to Dojo Dave on here recently towards the postage costs for some TT01 bits I needed, but this is listed as "pending"!

I hope Dave hasn't drunk those tokens already, what if I'm not happy?!!!

Absurd. This has nothing to do with regular spend either, as this was a very small amount amongst some bigger payments. No complex algorithm here, just random!

[TWINSET]

I sent some 'beer tokens' to Dojo Dave on here recently towards the postage costs for some TT01 bits I needed, but this is listed as "pending"!

If you send foreign currency to a recipient, they used to have to 'accept' the payment and agree to Paypal's exchange rate etc.

If you sent him Pounds then that might be the issue there. If you sent US Dollars, I dunno

Just received this from Paypal, as confirmation that their payment pending system's not working quite 100%;

Thank you for contacting PayPal regarding your pending balance.

From your call on the 15th of April 2016 regarding a pending balance on your account - a request has been made to me to review this transaction.

We have been made aware of a technical issue whereby when you've updated shipping for your item (i.e. when you've marked an item as sent and added tracking info - as we can see that you've done) - you are not given an estimated funds availability date.

We are aware of this issue and currently have an open ticket with our technical support team - and I have forwarded the details of your PayPal account to the relevant team, and we look to have this issue resolved as soon as possible.

Thanks for your time today.

It is my pleasure to assist you. Thank you for choosing PayPal.

Yours sincerely,

[Hibernaculum]

More info here: https://www.paypal.com/au/webapps/mpp/funds-availability

I've never experienced this. But if some reputable sellers are unreasonably being caught in the net, Paypal may need to tweak their supposedly "industry-leading technology, including geolocation, velocity checks, behavioural modelling and predictive analytics".