Newbie with a Dilemma

[Aluminumfalcone]

Hi.

I have a question about shipping and PayPal's hold policy.

I was selling various knickknacks from my father's estate on Craigslist and someone made an offer I couldn't refuse on an item.  The only hitch is they wanted it shipped to Arkansas via Next Day Air (I live in Washington State).  Well, the shipping cost was some ludicrous price--almost $200.

Well, the buyer said he included it in his PayPal payment, but PayPal, as usual, will not give me the money until the item is delivered.  I don't have the money to pay for the shipping costs out-of-pocket (to give you an idea of how desparate I am, I am broke and foodless until April 1st) , so what do I do?

[kernowlass]

@Aluminumfalcone

Are the funds actually showing in your paypal account balance but showing as pending.??

Does the transaction show in your paypal account on the summary page??

[Aluminumfalcone]

I got an email from PayPal saying that the funds were pending but when I look at my account summary or history the funds do not show.

[kernowlass]

@Aluminumfalcone

Then it sounds very much like a SCAM.

The email is more than likely a spoof, does it tell you that the funds are only released once you supply a tracking number etc? If so = SCAM

[Aluminumfalcone]

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kernowlass wrote:

@Aluminumfalcone

Then it sounds very much like a SCAM.

The email is more than likely a spoof, does it tell you that the funds are only released once you supply a tracking number etc? If so = SCAM

---

Here is what the message said:

"This transaction payment had been deducted from the buyer's account and "APPROVED" but not credited into your account, Reason for both buyer’s and seller’s safety policy. We put this transaction to your account on “HOLD” until the item is shipped out to the buyer and the shipment reference/tracking number is sent to us for shipment verification, so as to secure both the buyer and the seller. Check payment details below and follow the instructions for your account to be credited."

[kernowlass]

@Aluminumfalcone

YES ITS A SCAM.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send trackable, they advise it for seller protection etc but it is not compulsory.

Paypal NEVER tell you to send an item before the payment is showing in your paypal account.

[Aluminumfalcone]

Okay.  Now I've got another problem--do I file a complaint with PayPal or with IC3?  I can't access the IC3 website with either IE or Firefox--I just get "Page Can't Be Displayed."

[DPCreations · Accepted solution]

Did you send the item?

If so, consider it an expensive learning exprience.  In future do not sell on Craigs List until you understand how payments work, and then only cash.

If you didn't send the item.  Consider yourself a little better educated but not educated enough to use PayPal for Craigs List sales.

You could forward a copy of the email to spoof@PayPal.com

[Aluminumfalcone]

Nope.  The item is still with me.

Thanks!