I want this thread to be a place for sellers of the community to let Paypal hear just how badly we are hurting because of the new payment holds policy. This policy is especially poorly designed for sellers of services. Those who--like myself--sell services instead of goods have no tracking numbers or delivery confirmations which Paypal is treating as the only proof of exchange. Thus, my payments are almost assured to be on hold. Please post how you have been affected by this unfair policy. So here's what I want to say to Paypal: Some of us make a living selling goods and services. I can't afford to have my payments on hold for 21 days and to have my account "reevaluated every 35 days", a statement that is vague and unhelpful to me. This is ridiculous. How would you feel if your employer said "Sorry, but we're going to hold your paycheck indefinitely until we arbitrarily decide the customer is satisfied, based on factors that are often out of your control." Let me give you an example of how this policy is flawed in practice. On eBay, I have no control over whether my customers rate our transaction. In addition, since I sell a service I have no way of providing a "tracking number" or "delivery confirmation". In the eyes of Paypal, I have not provided a service, and while my customer is enjoying the benefits of my hard work, I am waiting indefinitely for the money that I have earned. I work hard for my money, and I have never had a single negative review or dispute for the service I provide, even after 2.5 years. Paypal claims that this policy is in place to "ensure that the transaction is completed smoothly". But that's not what this policy is really about, is it? It's not just about ensuring that customers are satisfied, it's about reducing the number of disputes and expediting the dispute process for Paypal. Buyers are happy, Paypal is happy, and meanwhile, sellers--especially sellers of services--are getting sacrificed because Paypal knows we have no other option when it comes to transactions through eBay and outside of eBay with the majority of our customers. Don't you think it's wrong that people like me are getting sacrificed just so that Paypal can save time and money avoiding disputes? All of this boils down to one thing. Effectively, this is what this bad policy has done to my life: I had a successful online business while the money was flowing, when I could do the work and get the paycheck. I was living my dream working from home. But now my successful eBay business is dead. I have had to get a traditional job because I cannot afford to "wait and see" if I'll get paid by Paypal, who has effectively become my employer for all intents and purposes. Hence, my business has suffered and I can no longer maintain it because I can't depend on a paycheck from my employer. I would switch to a different middle-man, like G_____ Checkout, but with Paypal so widely used and closely intertwined to eBay, it's really not an option. It's really sad. I trusted Paypal and have advocated it for years to friends, family, and customers as a trustworthy "people's company". Unfortunately, I can see that the company has shifted its focus from people to profit margins. I'm very disappointed. This bad policy has had a profoundly negative impact on my life, and I hope Paypal quits sacrificing it's sellers soon.
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