I just talked to PayPal customer support on the phone and I am happy to report that they finally gave me back my $365!
I truly believed that I was about to embark on a multi-year long legal battle and spend tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to get my $365 back. The rage and adrenaline were coursing through my veins, my hand trembling as I held the phone up to my ear, but the support rep I spoke to was surprisingly helpful and friendly and processed my refund without much hassle. Maybe I just got lucky talking to someone competent and reasonable, but my entire view of PayPal changed as a result of this one phone call. I really thought PayPal was some sort of evil criminal enterprise but now in retrospect that just seems silly. At worst they might have especially incompetent people answering their online support tickets, but the people answering the phone are within the realm of normalcy.
Despite the positive outcome I can't help but feel a sense of loss as I close the book on this chapter of my life. So much of my identity was defined by my hatred for PayPal, and now that I no longer have reason to hate PayPal, I'm left wanting for something to fill the void. Who was I before PayPal stole $365 of my money? I can't remember. But I must rediscover myself and find new passions to pursue. I must leave the past behind and forge ahead toward the future and all its endless possibilities. Maybe I should volunteer at a soup kitchen.
