My Paypal Hell...

moomaloo

I folks. I'm looking for some help regarding a problem I'm having with Paypal:

Over two weeks ago I sold some rather expensive headphones on eBay as a 'best offer' deal to a registered buyer in The Netherlands. The buyer has an excellent feedback rating and I also know of him through informal contact through an audio forum to which we both subscribe.

He paid me immediately via Paypal and I shipped the 'phones to his confirmed address the following day. I used insured overseas airmail.

Before I could transfer the money out of my Paypal account, Paypal 'withheld' the payment claiming 'suspicious activity' on the buyer's account.

I immediately e-mailed my on-line postal tracking details to Paypal and later faxed them a copy for good measure.

Since then I've heard nothing from Paypal. I've tried 'phoning them and e-mailing them but they won't give me any details of what the problem is other than they are 'investigating' the matter. I know my buyer hasn't filed a complaint. He has received the goods and is happy with them. He tells me that he had bought an unusual amount of stuff off eBay in a short space of time and that is why (he feels) Paypal are claiming that his activity is suspicious. - I guess Paypal feel that his account could have been hacked..?

Anyway, I'm getting nowhere. Paypal have £400 of my money and I want it back!

Does anyone know whether they can do this and, if so, how long they are entitled to withhold my money? Is there anything I can do to force their hand? Would a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman help? (Paypal claim to know nothing about the FO by the way... They just keep repeating that they are regulated by Luxembourg. Yet it is clearly stated in their user agreement that a complaint can be escalated through the FO...)

Thanks for listening. I feel I'm trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare...!

frivolous_fay

moomaloo wrote: »

I feel I'm trapped in a Kafkaesque nightmare...!

The turning into a giant beetle one, or a different one? :rotfl:

Have you had feedback for the transaction? (Not likely that this is part of the problem, but just a thought)

Is the buyer trying to sort it out at their end?

moomaloo

Yup, the giant beetle one..!

No, I haven't received any feedback from the buyer though I have received a forum message from him to say that he's received the 'phones and is happy with them.

frivolous_fay

As far as you're aware, does he normally leave feedback? There's a remote chance that a pos might help your case.

thevogon

Paypal usually take at least 30 days to make any decision.

They might claim to be incorproated from luxembourg, but they still have a UK office in Richmond that can be taken to the small claims courts. Attempts by them to claim that they are not part of the same company simply gets the judges adding paypal sarl luxembourg as an additional defendant. Judges are usually wise to company attempts to avoid litigation. So they still get taken to court and invariably pay up.

moomaloo

Thanks for that my Vogon friend...

30 days? Eek! I really can't afford to be deprived of my money for 30 days.

So far I have decided to register a complaint with them every day until they release these funds to my account. I doubt they'll care but it makes me feel a little better. I'm also considering lodging a complaint with the F.O.

I'm so disgusted with Paypal over this but what's the alternative?...

frivolous_fay

Get the buyer to leave feedback
Get the buyer to chase PP at his end.

Can't do any harm Trouble is at your end, you're right, there's practically nothing you can do but wait. The problem lies with the buyer's accounts.

frivolous_fay

meghanjones wrote: »

Yes try this, about all you can do.

Wow, editing a link into someone else's post. You're the cockiest little spammer I've seen in a while.

Reported.

moomaloo

Thanks Fay. - As far as I can see, the buyer has done everything asked of him. He doesn't have an issue with his accounts, he just spent more than Paypal thought was 'normal'. He also travels worldwide through work and a lot of his eBay / Paypal activity is from exotic places - such as Bolivia...

I can see how it might seem dodgy to Paypal but now that they have been given the correct assurances I just don't see why they won't release my money. Or, rather, I do see (it's earning interest in their bank account and not mine) but that doesn't make it right.

I guess I'll just have to wait. As far as I can tell, I'm protected as a seller anyway. I just need my money!!!!!