Received payment for hobbyist sale (G&S )is stuck on pending.

[Namaxy]

Greetings -

I received notification of funds received, but the Payment Status has been shown as pending for over 24 hours. I've done many similar transactions, and they all post immediately.

The sale was an item I listed on a hobbyist forum, where many users buy and sell, with PP G&S the preferred payment method. The selling isn't a virtual storefront style setup. It's a discussion forum, so I interacted with the buyer, answered questions etc. When they decided to buy, I provided my PP email address as normal. I've had dozens if not more similar transactions, all without a hitch. This is the first time a payment has been listed as pending. I chatted with Customer Service, and they didn't add any details as to why, just that the transaction is under review.

This is new to me, but perhaps this is normal? Or would this indicate there may be something fishy with the buyer. I'm of course not going to send the item until resolved, but I'm also confused why customer service wouldn't further explain the reasons the transaction is under review.

Thanks in advance

[kernowlass]

@Namaxy 

Is it showing as pending with a clearance date?

Or did the buyer send using friends/family and not goods/services?

Were you charged a fee to receive the funds?

[Namaxy]

Hi, and thank you for responding. I don't see any mention of a clearance date. I looked everywhere, but I've never had a pending transaction before, so I don't know exactly where that would be. Clicking the activity tab there is a host of transactions, all completed, some more recently than when this one was initiated. At the top of the list is this Pending transaction. It has all the usual info, amount, address, etc., and also shows what the fee will be. It hasn't cleared, so I've not been charged the fee yet, but it's the usual percentage for goods and services.

[Namaxy]

This is still completely unresolved. The 72 hour period has come and gone, and nothing from PP. How is it possible that a major Platform like PP has absolutely no customer service? I've done multiple chats, all with the same generic response. I clicked through the various 'contact us' methods, and twice got a number to call and an individual code to enter. Both times, calling the correct number, entering the code, having the automated teller say they recognized my number, I could not get a live person on the phone. Just the same language again and again. This is insane.

If a $15 transaction looks wrong to Capital One or Amex, they call and text. If I call back, there is a representative on the phone immediately. No extensive menus to click through, just immediately a live person. My transaction with PP is $850 they are holding as pending. And no mater what I try, I can't get a live person to respond, over the course of three days. Absolutely nothing other than generic language in automated chat, and automated phone.

I'm not desperate to receive the funds...the bigger issue is that since PP is not releasing the funds, I'm not shipping to the buyer. This is irreparably harming my reputation as a seller on the hobby forum where I listed the item. Why is it PP's policy to make it so difficult to interact with a live person? Do they feel they need to be more difficult guardians of the gate than major players like Amex? Is there some threshold before they will treat you like a real person? I probably have $50k per year in PP buy/sell and family. Granted that's nothing compared to my credit cards....but still why the talk to hand philosophy at PP when banks and credit institutions are begging for business, and loaded with customer service. When/if this transaction clears, PP have lost me as a customer forever.

[kernowlass]

@Namaxy 

Only the 'hold' is normally 21 days as per link unless you meet the criteria for earlier release.

https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/my-payment-is-on-hold.-why-is-this-happening-faq3297
OR is it an echeque payment from the buyers bank account that takes 5-7 days to clear? 

[Namaxy]

Hello,

Thank you for posting that link. Nothing in that article would apply to my situation. I've been doing this for at least 10 years, the items wasn't unusual or different than previous transactions, I've never had a problem before or anyone claiming a refund etc.,and in the period this transaction was on hold, I sold other items and received funds immediately.

The original email I received from PP indicated they expected to complete their review in 72 hours.  In the end, the payment cleared, and I've shipped the item. It was more like 5 days than 72 hours, but at least it cleared. Strangely though, neither the buyer nor I ever got an actual explanation from PP. We had both been trying to no avail, and then the payment just cleared with no additional response or notification from PP.

Anyway, I greatly appreciate you taking the time to help.