Payment by customer being held again

[KCA80]

I am a seller of photos and they are digitally shipped immediatley once payment is received. The latest sales are always by a regular customer and the second payment has yet again showing it is on hold and pending. This happened first a week ago when her payment was held and pending and a week later the funds were released. This happened again today and I have already sent her photos immediately even though both times the payment was held. Can anyone help and let me know why this is happening? Thank you very much for your assistance.

[kernowlass]

@KCA80 

Sounds like an echeque? Is there a clearance date?

Transfers from bank accounts are never instant as Paypal use electronic transfers ie echeques (cheaper but slower).

Funds normally leave your bank account from a few hours > few days later but they take several working days to clear through to the seller/Paypal as they go via ACH in batches.

Its called instant because normally Paypal credit the seller upfront and then Paypal take the wait for the funds to transfer, this is so you get your item without delay.

However there are times however when its you and the seller / recipient that take the wait for the echeque to clear and here are some of the reasons...

1. Back up card has expired or needs updating.
2. You have had a recent negative balance or failed bank transfer (so paypal are not going to credit the seller in advance in case it happens again).
3. For some high cost riskier payments / transactions.
4. Friends / family payments *funded from a bank account* as this option is free then its you that takes the wait this time.
5. Clearing a negative balance.