Why does a payment sent through a PayPal button says pending?

[ComputerWhiz]

I have a PayPal button on my website for ordering a product. Usually when I receive an order, the payment status says "Completed", but I just got an order that says "Pending". I don't have the option to print a shipping label or anything, just the Archive option.

Is it safe to fullfil this customer's order or do I have to wait until Feb 15 (the date PayPal says it's pending for) before I can safely fullfil this order without the possibility of the customer cancelling the payment?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

[Snow-Cat · Accepted solution]

Best to wait till you have the money - then ship.  The status "pending" can be for various reasons - if you ship before you have the money and there's an issue with the funds, it's possible to end up with no money and no product.