eBay/PayPal question

sherry7

DIS Veteran
Joined
Apr 29, 2001
Messages
2,412
I know there are a lot of experienced eBay sellers here, so I'm hoping someone can answer my question please.

I recently listed a semi-expensive item (software) on a Buy It Now. Someone just bought it, and I got this email from PayPal. I highlighted a couple of things in red:

Hello XXXXX,

Your funds are pending - please process this order

You received a payment from XXXXXX.

This money is being temporarily held in your pending balance. It will be held for up to 21 days. While it's being held, it won't be available for withdrawal.

We'll move the money to your available balance after 21 days as long as your buyer hasn't reported a problem. It may be available sooner if we can confirm that the item was delivered or, if this is an eBay item, your buyer leaves positive feedback.

To get access to this money more quickly, please process this order right away and communicate with your customers early and often.
Payment details
Amount (pending): $79.99 USD
Transaction ID: XXXXXX
Buyer's email: XXXXX
Ship to address: XXXXX

We recommend that you:

* Log in and go to the Transaction Details page to see if you're eligible for seller protection on this payment
* Ship to the buyer's address on the Transaction Details page
* Use a shipping service that offers signature confirmation
* Save all tracking information or other proof of shipment
* Let your buyer know their item shipped by adding tracking information on the Transaction Details page

Thanks,

PayPal


I've mostly bought on eBay, and just sold a few things. I have never saw something like this where it says the money is being temporarily held. I'm totally confused by this. Does this mean that if the buyer leaves me negative feedback, I can lose the money and the item I sold him?

Advice please? How should I proceed from here? Thanks.
 
Yes, they have done this for awhile - certain categories, which, I guess your software falls into. It also happens if you have a low feedback and the item is over $100 and sometimes if you haven't sold in awhile - and then all of a sudden you sell a high dollar item.

Paypal will also hold funds if the buyer is overseas and the item is high dollar..

Go ahead, follow paypal's instructions and process the order - if I remember correctly the money will be released within a few days of the buyer leaving positive feedback - or sooner if you show proof of delivery - like a tracking number.

ETA: I found the PayPal LINK that explains their policy on this. Good Luck.
 
Make sure if Paypal still has the policy that you get a SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION depending on the sale price.
 
Yes, they have done this for awhile - certain categories, which, I guess your software falls into. It also happens if you have a low feedback and the item is over $100 and sometimes if you haven't sold in awhile - and then all of a sudden you sell a high dollar item.

Paypal will also hold funds if the buyer is overseas and the item is high dollar..

Go ahead, follow paypal's instructions and process the order - if I remember correctly the money will be released within a few days of the buyer leaving positive feedback - or sooner if you show proof of delivery - like a tracking number.

ETA: I found the PayPal LINK that explains their policy on this. Good Luck.

Thanks for the reply. My feedback is around 70 with no negatives, but I haven't sold in awhile. What happens if he simply neglects to leave feedback, like many buyers do?

I'll definitely ship UPS so I'll have a tracking number. I wonder if I should pay the extra $$$ and require a signature too? (Which will probably annoy my buyer since most people aren't at home to sign.)
 

Thanks for the reply. My feedback is around 70 with no negatives, but I haven't sold in awhile. What happens if he simply neglects to leave feedback, like many buyers do?

I'll definitely ship UPS so I'll have a tracking number. I wonder if I should pay the extra $$$ and require a signature too? (Which will probably annoy my buyer since most people aren't at home to sign.)
The tracking number by UPS/FedEx - do not use USPS - should be sufficient, as it does show proof of delivery. But if the signature cost is not too much, maybe for peace of mind, you could get that too.
 
Delivery Confirmation is automatically included when you print USPS shipping labels through Paypal, and has always been sufficient proof to release funds when I've had holds on my account for selling things :confused3
 
Delivery Confirmation is free for Priority Mail if you print your own label, or 19¢ for First Class Parcel, Parcel Post or Media Mail. A signature isn't required (by PayPal) unless the sale if $250 or more.

PayPal will release the funds when (whichever comes first)

21 days without a complaint from buyer
or
Buyer leaves positive feedback
or
Proof of delivery
 
/
Thanks so much for the replies. :) I had never heard of this before, so I wanted to make sure I wasn't getting scammed.
 
Delivery Confirmation is automatically included when you print USPS shipping labels through Paypal, and has always been sufficient proof to release funds when I've had holds on my account for selling things :confused3

But DC means almost nothing. It is often shown as delivered when it simply reaches the post office that has the postal employee who WILL deliver it. And that's what their service is intended to do.

I would go with UPS or Fedex for this, b/c they don't show it's delivered until it's delivered.
 
But DC means almost nothing. It is often shown as delivered when it simply reaches the post office that has the postal employee who WILL deliver it. And that's what their service is intended to do.

I would go with UPS or Fedex for this, b/c they don't show it's delivered until it's delivered.

Everything I've been told by paypal reps when I had an issue with an item I bought on ebay (and all of my experience with buying and selling on and off of ebay) says that USPS delivery confirmation showing as delivered is considered adequate verification for them to side with you on any disputes, and I have also had funds released on a couple of $50+ cell phones I've sold (ebay) once the USPS DC showed as delivered :confused3
 
My bf soley uses USPS for everything on ebay. He's had too many problems and high prices charged with UPS and FedEx. Of course he's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the postal service.

You can also add signature confirmation to the delivery confirmation with the USPS if you want proof of the purchaser receiving the item. I would just do tracking and insurance for 85$. If the package is never received you can take it up with the post office to file a claim with them.
 

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