What I've learned from Paypal regarding PPDG: Their systems are much tighter on digital gift cards due to fraud (I was actually told that by a Paypal rep a few weeks ago). If you've successfully placed one order, don't try again for a couple days. Also, don't try for an excessively large amount ($500 plus in my opinion and experience) at any one time.
Last week, I tried for $800. I could see the signs of a problem, so I removed the items from my cart and then tried for just $200. Of course, the damage was done and I had to call. After calling I was able to get the $200 to go thru. The rep told me instead of buying $800 at once, buy $200 at a time multiple times. This was terrible advice. Later that day $200 would not work but I didn't push it. The next day I was able to get $200 to work but right after the transaction completed, my Paypal account got frozen again. I got it all fixed and was told a red flag was raised due to repeated, identical transactions. They did the 3 public records questions to verify me while I was on the phone because I explained my story about the $800 and that I actually was looking to get more gift cards. The person assured me that everything was unlocked and as long as, within 30 minutes, I used the same device and made the same transaction, it would work. Wrong!
When I called back I spoke with someone who said that my account got flagged for manual review due to all the activity and that no activity on eBay would go through at all until the 4/25. He also mentioned that if they notice when doing the manual review that this is regular activity (of course they will), then some limits should be gone and I won't have as much trouble in the future. I don't know how accurate that was because I was able to use my account for small, non-gift card related purchases on 4/23. Anyway, yesterday I decided I would try PPDG for $400 and it worked! I still had to have them call to verify me when checking out but I didn't get stuck in the loop and didn't get locked out after.
Later, I was trying to buy $750 of Target from GCM and couldn't even add the item to my cart. Error message permission denied. I called, the claimed to fix it, told me to try again, still wouldn't work. Then they told me to try again, still didn't work. Then they said wait 30 minutes and try. I didn't bother because luckily DW's account got the offer as well and just got her Paypal fixed (unrelated problem - fixed JIT) and I bought them on hers.
So my formula is now to limit PPDG purchase to $400 and then use DW's account for GCM transactions if she gets the offer. If one of ours doesn't get the offer, then my formula will be to wait til the second day (or at least more than a couple hours) to buy the physical cards but either way, only use PPDG once per bucks promo and for only $400.
On an unrelated note, I wish I would've ordered physical GS cards instead of Target because there is no indication whatsoever at my local store that GC to GC purchases will end anytime soon. They even seem to condone it. The manager told me on his own that he heard that accounting is working on a way to allow rewards to be used on GC's, although I don't know how true that is. But if it is, I'll take an extra $50 per $2500 churned thanks!
