PayPal Community

I’m quite good at spotting as an, but I can’t believe this one got me. $64.90 for 15# of king crab. What was I thinking??? So, this is how it went for me: Also ordered off an ad on FB. Never received an order confirmation or tracking number. Took me a few days to find the site I purchased from, tried logging into the account I created (which was probably used to phish my info!) and it didn’t work. There was no customer service email or number. The website vanished from existence about two hours later. Another identical on popped up. Vanished a day or two later. I filed my complaint with PayPal and reported fraud on the credit card I used to pay through PayPal, just in case PP sides with the seller. Found out the vendor is listed as a CLOTHING COMPANY!!! They have no business selling king crab. They responded with tracking info stating the package was delivered to my door yesterday at 4:49PM. I was home yesterday with the door wide open. No such package arrived. I would have received a text alert from USPS if the package was there to begin with! So, they are using fraudulent tracking numbers as well. I’m still awaiting a response from PP and it should be quite clear that this is a pretty big scam and a little google research you’ll find lots of reports of the same exact thing happening. But, PP has been known to not bother to do their homework and side with the vendor as long as they have provided tracking info. At that point it’s time to get on the phone and yell at them because they are allowing theft to happen while using their service. That’s why PP has fallen out of graces with people so fast over the last year or two. ... View more

My list of complainst with paypal grows on an almost daily basis anymore, it seems. First off, I believe Paypal needs to step away from trying to be both judge and jury when problems arise.  The original purpose of Paypal was having a way for buyers to pay for online items using their credit card in a secure fashion.  I think you need to get back to that. I have experienced problems on both the buyer and seller ends of things. The most infuriating thing is that Paypal seems to want to place more and more holds on things.  First there's this stupid policy of holding any transactions over $100 if you don't have at least 100 positive feedbacks in your Ebay account.  Absolutely one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.  Sellers have a right to their money, buyers have a right to their goods. Now this new process of holding 10% of ALL Ebay transactions for 90 days is equally absurd.  While it may resolve the argument that by holding ALL of the funds for transactions over 100, the seller can't use any funds to actually SHIP the item, it still isn't going far enough as to provide the seller with any sense of protection that his funds will be there in 90 days, or that a buyer isn't scamming them out of their money! The problem is easiest from a buyer viewpoint.  If I pay for an item and I don't receive it, and the seller can't prove he sent it, I should be entitled to a refund.  No question.  If there is ANY discrepancy in the transaction, however, Paypal IS NOT in a position to superceed the rules that were outlined in the auction listing.  For example, my policy for damage claims states that the buyer has paid for insurance on the full replacement value of the item through the shipping agent.  Therefore, if a problem arises due damage or loss with shipping, the buyer should be filing a claim with THEM, NOT with me through Paypal.  The NET RESULT of that particular transaction?  Paypal awarded the buyer a full refund, even though the buyer also filed a claim with the shipping agent, so they got the $500 they paid me back through Ebay AND the $500 replacement value through the shipping agent, PLUS they stole the certificate of authenticy, which allowed them to sell any fake in place of the original item he was sold.  Basically, after all is said and done, the buyer will profit by almost $2000 over the original $500 transaction. Paypal policies SHOULD NOT supercede policies within the listing, and it's when they play judge and jury (ALWAYS siding with the buyer!) that people get frustrated.  If an item is listed as "used condition", with clear indication that because of the age and use of the item, it is not guaranteed to be in perfect condition, and "no refunds", then Paypal has NO legal right to allow a refund.  Paypal didn't list the item, the seller did.  He makes the rules.  Simple. Paypal was once a godsend, but now I pray for someone to swoop in and offer a better product than Paypal offers.  Paypal has NO RIGHT to my money that is sitting in my account.  They have NO RIGHT to make their own rules over how I access my money.  I wish my business profited enough to pay the fees associated with having my own credit card terminal, because if I did that, I would close my Paypal account without thinking twice about it.   ... View more

100% AGREED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paypal **bleep**s the sellers everytime.  It seems every bad transaction I have is due to something PAYPAL has done.  They will side with the buyer EVERY time, it is pointless to even file an appeal.  I was even TOLD by a Paypal rep that they don't even look at appeals. The ONLY way to get through to Paypal is to threaten to sue.  WHen I've done that, then someone gets on the line with some power to help me, but still, it doesn't usually pan out to much. ... View more

I was also ripped off by Paypal by them taking side with a buyer. I sold a piece of artwork for $500, charging $95 to have it professionally packaged to ensure it would arrive safely. A gallery in Philadelphia bought the item, and after not paying for several days emails me, refusing to pay the shipping fees that they legally agreed to adhere to, and insisted I remove the frame and mounting, and ship it out "as cheap as possible".  Since he was the only potential buyer, I agreed and sent it per their specifications.  Allegedly, it was damaged in shipping (because they insisted it be sent the cheapest way possible!), and proceeded to call me every rude name in the book because of it (how was this my fault?!?!) Attempting to reassure them, I explained that the item was fully insured and they could reclaim their losses by filing a claim with the shipping agent.  Instead, they file a claim against ME on Ebay, immediately putting a $500 hold on my account...which through the domino effect, I was unable to pay for three transactions as a result! They held the funds until the buyer returned the item, at which point they released the funds back to the buyer and my account was now overdrawn $500.  Plus, I now have a damaged work of art that's now worth nothing, AND the buyer stole the certificate of authenticy that they can now attach to ANY reprint and claim it's real! Threatening to sue Paypal for even allowing the claim, when the buyer was DIRECTLY INSTRUCTED to file a claim with the shipping agent, Paypal then credited me "in good faith" $300 for the issue, though I'm still out $200 and a painting that's actually worth over $1000 that is now worth nothing. Paypal, you need to stop trying to play judge and jury.  Both you and Ebay are failing your customers, and there is room for another company to come in and compete, while taking much better care of your customers.  Every time you institute some new rule, it's poorly disguisted as "buyer protection", and only keeps your customers from accessing money that they have every right to have. Paypal's service has gone from a 9 (10 years ago!) to less than a 1 in my book! ... View more

Make sure the transaction numbers and all other info match up on that email.  That could have just been another scammer.  I get dozens of those every day.  Unless the email specifically addresses you by name, and your Paypal account name, it is fraudulent.  This still doesn't help your issue with the PS3 seller, but I suspect it's unrelated. If you haven't received the item and you reported it to Ebay/Paypal, they WILL refund your money at some point, but the seller has a few days to provide them with tracking info to prove that the item was shipped or is en route to you.  Just hold tight a few days.  I have TONS of problems with Paypal, but all of them are as a seller.  As a buyer, they pretty much always side with you, even if you're the one in the wrong! ... View more

VERY WELL SAID!!!!   Civil suit guys.  I'm in.  Someone draw up the paperwork. ... View more

Amanda, If you're out to protect the interests of Paypal and their so-called "seller protection", I wouldn't be looking at whether someone has or doesn't have the funds in their account to cover it since you ALWAYS side with the buyer. Here's a story for you and all of the Paypal community.  And when I tell you I'm SUING PAYPAL, I mean it. In December, I sold an original hand-signed Norman Rockwell lithograph, professionally framed and matted, complete with certificate of authenticity with an additional $90 to have the item professionally packaged and shipped to insure the integrity of that item. An art gallery in Philadelphia was the only bidder for the item, and it sold for $500 (it's worth $1500!). After not receiving payment for several days, the buyer finally emailed me with the mesage "I don't want any glass or frame and I want it shipped the cheapest way possible.  $90 for shipping is cutting too far into my profits". I responded to the buyer that since there were no other bidders, I will allow this and get back to him in the next day or so with other options, and then advised him that this is a request he should make before bidding on an item, NOT a demand one makes after winning the item. I gave him the first option.  For $35 I can double pack it in a mail roller.  He refused, saying he wanted it shipped flat. Shipping an item flat is risky, but given the type of item, I once again allowed it. I told him I'd pack the item in hard-grade cardboard and then pack that inside a flat box.  $28.  He agreed, paid for the item, and I shipped is EXACTLY as I said I would.  As always, I insured it with the USPS for the entire $500. On Dec. 30th, the buyer sends me an email "the package arrived damaged.  Worst packing job I've ever seen, and I want my money back". In spite of his rudeness, I apologized that it didn't arrive in perfect condition, but then reminded him that this is how he WANTED it shipped, and had he followed Ebay's rules, this likely would not have happened.  In spite of this, he could recover his losses by simply filing a claim with USPS. Instead of filing the claim, he files it against ME with Paypal. Paypal places the funds from the transaction on hold, sending my account $525.99 overdrafted.  The repurcussions of them doing this?  THREE vendors I needed to pay $1800 to never got their money because this process took so long.  Paypal instantly red flagged my account, so the ONLY way I could replenish funds was through a bank transfer (no instant funds through debit card or credit card allowed!), and money from FIVE things that have sold while waiting for the bank transfer (which took 22 days!!!!!!!) have all been held in my account until I can prove shipment.  The problem with that?!?!?  I ship all my items using Paypal's discounted rates.  If I can't use my Paypal account to ship the item, it costs almost double.  Paypal's policies are **bleep**ing up EVERYTHING!!!! But, back to the buyer dispute. The buyer filed a claim "significantly not as described" instead of reporting that it was damaged.  The buyer NEVER provided any evidence that the item was damaged, in spite of my requests.  I began to sense foul play.  I sensed that since he is a gallery owner, he'd keep the original and send me back a fake, or some other strange shady plan. I received the item back just a few days ago.  The packaging IS NOT damaged in any way, but the lithograph IS damaged beyond repair.  It's no longer worth a penny!  Additionally, the certificate of authenticity is MISSING (probably the most valuable part of this deal, since he can attach it to any copy and sell it for $1500!!!!) I spent HOURS on the phone with Paypal PLEADING with them to review this case carefully, as I sensed this person was doing something VERY shady here.  I was assured they'd look into every aspect of the case.  I provided them with photos of the item before it left my house, and the string of emails between me and the buyer where he asked for the glass and frame to be removed, and refusing to pay for the full shipping. In spite of all of this, they rewarded the BUYER with the full refund!!!!! So now, the buyer has MY money, a certificate of authenticity worth $1500, he'll file a claim with USPS and get $500 from them, and on top of it, he'll sell a copy of the lithograph with the certificate of authenticity for $1500!!!!  AND PAYPAL ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, I was sent an email informing me of this decision by Paypal informing me of my right to appeal their decision.  I filed it yesterday, explainging everything I just described. Today, they turned down my appeal, saying that "any item reported significantly not as described is automatically rewarded in their favor and can not be appealed". You KNOW Paypal did nothing but look at the type of complaint this was, because they CLEARLY didn't put any effort at all into this case.   Seller protection MY **bleep**!!!   But, this now draws down to legal action against Paypal and it doesn't even need to be civil suit.  Paypal aided and abbetted the destruction and theft of a work of fine art.  Since the packaging arrived at my door completely undamaged, I can't even recover my losses by filing a claim against USPS.  This ENTIRE loss I am experiencing is because of PAYPAL.  IT IS VERY CLEAR!   So Amanda, take this message to your higher-ups, because nobody's listening to me.  You guys will recover my losses, regardless of whether you have to spend thousands to protect your assets.  You allowed this to happen and you did NOTHING to protect ME, the guy who pays all the fees for the transaction.   SHAME ON PAYPAL!!!!!! ... View more

Paul, to add to your worry, Ebay will cancel any auctions you list that say you will not accept Paypal, and will only accept money order or cashier's check.  The ONLY other payment Ebay allows you to list is your own credit card terminal, or cash at pick-up. So, your homework:  look into why THAT is illegal and get back to us, as I'll gladly sign up for the civil suit! ... View more

Not everyone leaves feedback, and my funds have been held the full 21 days in spite of daily phone arguments with Paypal custer disservice. Again, this is a violation or legal practices.  Paypal seems to choose and make their own distinctions between what interface they may use with Ebay in regards to certain practices.  It's convenient for them to say "if someone leaves you feedback we'll release your funds", but at the same time, Paypals's ILLEGAL practice of holding funds could very easily be ammened to at least release the funds the buyer has paid to ship the item.  That amount is CLEARLY indicated when a buyer pays for the item. In a binding contract, neither party should rely on an outside source of funding to complete a financial transaction.  This means the seller shouldn't have to pony up his own funds to ship an item, when the money required to ship the item has been included as part of the transaction. Paypal needs a new legal team.  Period.  What they are doing is illegal and it's going to cost them BILLIONS of dollars when the law finally catches up to you. ... View more

THOUSANDS are in the same boat as you, including myself.  I have THOUSANDS of positive feedbacks on a number of different accounts, but I sold an item on a newer account with less than 100 positive feedbacks and they hold the funds.   This is what Paypal is doing ILLEGALLY:   Paypal CAN NOT hold funds that are deemed necessary to complete a transaction.  Even if they are legally allowed to hold the funds for the purchased item, you are receiving payment for the shipping as well, and Paypal CAN NOT hold those funds.  But since they are a monopoly, they do it anyway.  Why?  Because every penny they hold in their accounts earns them interest.  THEY MAKE MONEY OFF YOUR MONEY WHILE YOU CAN'T ACCESS IT!   You enter a legally binding contract with a buyer when they win an auction.  Payment in return for the item with modest funds added to ship the item.  For Paypal to intervene with their own policies on holding funds is ILLEGAL if it interferes with that binding contract and they can be held liable.  Ebay no longer allows any other payment other than Paypal, so if you put something up for auction on there, you're **bleep**ed by Paypal, INSTANTLY.  The very practice of ONLY allowing Paypal to complete a transaction is also illegal, but topic of another subject.  In that case, they get around the law by stating "if you have your own credit card terminal, you can use that instead of Paypal".   I HIGHLY suggest we all band together in legal action against Paypal over these practices. ... View more