PAYPAL PAYMENT PUT ON TEMPORARY HOLD

[gifts_of_elegance]

I have heard about it, that PayPal was planning to do this but it hasn't happened to me until now. I received a letter from PayPal that reads:

"One of the benefits of using PayPal is that we make every effort to alert
you to potentially problematic transactions. Our goal is to help you make
sound business decisions.

From time to time, we request additional information about PayPal payments.
This is a security measure meant to protect you from problem transactions.

We would like to learn more about this transaction. Please log in to your
PayPal account and provide some information.

We strongly advise that you not ship the item until our investigation is
complete. If you have already shipped the item, please log in and let us
know where you shipped it.

We have placed a temporary hold on the funds until the investigation is
complete."

I logged in to my PayPal and found it under "Claims requiring your action". "Resolve transaction" with the following choices:

"How would you like to resolve this issue?


PayPal will review the information and determine whether the claim can be closed.

Thank you for your cooperation.

I have not shipped the item and I would like to refund the payment.
I can provide proof that the item was shipped through an approved shipper to the address on the Transaction Details page.
What information can you provide?
I can provide online tracking information.
I can upload or fax proof that the item was shipped.
I have refunded the payment for this transaction.
None of these apply to me. "

Has anyone received one of these? I need help!

[ricarmic]

Hi! Yes I got one about a month ago. I was so happy that they were "protecting me" by taking the money out of my PAYPAL account! 😉

I filled out all the paperwork, which was a pain, (I was lucky as it turned out that this was an expedited box)and about a week or more later I finally got my money back.

Seems very strange to me, I was happy that it was a transaction under $100 they picked on!

[terrym5512]

It's fishy to me. Although I have had quite a few of my long time customers email me to say that they have had tons of problems with PayPal and asked if they can send money orders or cheques instead.

[ampurtle]

It's a common occurance if you deal in high value items.

Contact Paypal security, the link is on the bottom of the Paypal page and enquire what the status of this issue is. Use the dispute reference number and/or the transaction number and/or the eBay item number.

If Paypal initiated the dispute resolution mechanism, it's typicaly because there is a question as th whether the buyer is in fact the owner of th account used to make the purchase.

If you haven't shipped, don't, do not issue a refund, in fact do absolutely nothing until Paypal has responded to your request for more information.

[ampurtle]

PS
If the customer initiated the dispute resolution mechanism, that's an entirely different kettle of fish.

[coastwindchimes]

Happened to me a month or so ago. It took a few weeks, even after I provided proof of shipping and delivery, for them to release the funds. A drag.

[gifts_of_elegance]

Over $1,000. I always call the purchaser to verify that they did indeed buy the item before sending it out.
Thank You for your help, it is appreciated more than you know.

[b2-gaming]

3 weeks after sending an item, even after I got positive feedback for the items sold I got a paypal initiated hold on the transaction ($70. Emailed the buyer they had no issues, were happy with the purchase. 2 weeks into the investigation even after I provided info they asked for the decision was made to reverse the funds and give them back to the buyer....OK

Emailed the buyer asked them what's up (Regular buyer from me) They said they had no idea what was going on and asked me to send them a request for the money and quickly paid for the items again. Not sure why paypal is picking good transactions to cause problems with but I suggest they stop. I have a hard enough time dealing with the bad buyers and real issues to spend any time messing with paypal generated "issues". We have to deal with enough problems selling successfully on ebay/paypal, I hope they choose not to make more for us =/
Brent

[gifts_of_elegance]

burlington79: That's a real bummer for sure. Lucky for you that you were dealing with honest purchasers. Most of them are, its just a few that spoil it all.
When I started this business, I swore I would never let anything stress me out and when it happened, I just automatically banned the purchaser from my site. But lately its eBay and PayPal that is causing the most major head-aches. I guess its like anything else. You do enough business, sooner or later the stress will set in.