Deep Dislike Of Paypal

[puff_not_snuff]

What reason did PayPal give you for restricting your account? So far I've had no issues, having gone through their verification process many years ago, but I don't use them often.

They (or it was indicated in their "resolution center") that my payment activity had a sudden change or something to that effect. The change was simply a few larger than usual payments. The most annoying part is that they never sent me any sort of email over the matter.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Once these organizations get established, they develop a lordly attitude and the poor little customer can just hope for the best. I won't use paypal nor other similar systems. If I saw a pipe on Forums, I'd have to send a PM to the seller and ask if I could send him a check and he'd send me the pipe once it cleared. All these outfits develop a dossier on you, and you have little recourse or control. Sometimes, it is not even their mal intent. They just can control their own red tape.

When I first joined eBay many moons ago (late 90s) I regularly sent and received postal money orders and never managed to get ripped off or do the same. The world has certainly changed a lot...

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

PayPal can certainly hold your money, nearly indefinitely, over their arbitrary reasons. It's well documented. I can't touch the money I have in there at the moment as they review the information I gave them.

During covid I had a relative who had a fraudulent PP account opened under their name which was slowly draining their bank account over a month. Neither PP or their bank found this sudden activity suspicious yet after having an account for 20 or more years they decided to suddenly restrict mine due to a couple payments that were higher than my average.

We’re you a seller?

 

[puff_not_snuff]

We’re you a seller?

Actually, in this case it was a card swipe (PayPal here) for a job I did.

If you wok for PP customer service, I'd be happy to call you to discuss it, if you provide a number.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Actually, in this case it was a card swipe (PayPal here) for a job I did.

If you wok for PP customer service, I'd be happy to call you to discuss it, if you provide a number.

I’m retired and never in finance. I know enough to know there are two sides involved in any transaction.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I’m retired and never in finance. I know enough to know there are two sides involved in any transaction.

Yes well, then you'd probably than understand how a person would be more likely to get upset if the money in their account was being held vs. the money they sent to someone else was being tied up.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

Yes well, then you'd probably than understand how a person would be more likely to get upset if the money in their account was being held vs. the money they sent to someone else was being tied up.

Your story is confusing. If you did a job and the customer lodged a complaint, your money could be held up until its resolved.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Your story is confusing. If you did a job and the customer lodged a complaint, your money could be held up until its resolved.

My story isn't confusing. As I stated, they said these transaction amounts were out of the range of my normal activity. Considering the job was done for my girlfriend, I'm pretty sure she didn't lodge a complaint, unless she's hiding something from me.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I’ve heard of people getting their PP locked. But, I’ve also heard of Venmo, 4Square, and CC doing the same.

As an artist amongst artists who rely on these venues to handle transactions between customer and artists, it happens. None are better than others, IMO.
Luckily :::knock on wood::: I’ve not had any issues.

I just wish that one day, all bank accts would make it easier to transfer money, so that we don’t have to use these in-between apps and accts.

Point of Sale (POS) has always been the bane of doing business. I still keep a sliding POS CC machine to handle POS when I go to work art shows. It costs me more % when I submit paper transactions. But, it beats finding PP or my CC slider doesnt work once I get my tent, and art set up at a show. It’s too late to go home at that point.

I’m sorry you’ve had a problem, but it does happen. I read about this type a thing a lot on artists groups, because we rely on them for day to day transactions to keep money rolling in and art going out. However, I have no advice, other than to just call them or do what they ask. Sorry.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I’ve heard of people getting their PP locked. But, I’ve also heard of Venmo, 4Square, and CC doing the same.

As an artist amongst artists who rely on these venues to handle transactions between customer and artists, it happens. None are better than others, IMO.
Luckily :::knock on wood::: I’ve not had any issues.

I just wish that one day, all bank accts would make it easier to transfer money, so that we don’t have to use these in-between apps and accts.

Point of Sale (POS) has always been the bane of doing business. I still keep a sliding POS CC machine to handle POS when I go to work art shows. It costs me more % when I submit paper transactions. But, it beats finding PP or my CC slider doesnt work once I get my tent, and art set up at a show. It’s too late to go home at that point.

I’m sorry you’ve had a problem, but it does happen. I read about this type a thing a lot on artists groups, because we rely on them for day to day transactions to keep money rolling in and art going out. However, I have no advice, other than to just call them or do what they ask. Sorry.

Thanks for your sympathy and I agree with you on all points.

 

[captainsousie]

I’ve heard of people getting their PP locked. But, I’ve also heard of Venmo, 4Square, and CC doing the same.

As an artist amongst artists who rely on these venues to handle transactions between customer and artists, it happens. None are better than others, IMO.
Luckily :::knock on wood::: I’ve not had any issues.

I just wish that one day, all bank accts would make it easier to transfer money, so that we don’t have to use these in-between apps and accts.

Point of Sale (POS) has always been the bane of doing business. I still keep a sliding POS CC machine to handle POS when I go to work art shows. It costs me more % when I submit paper transactions. But, it beats finding PP or my CC slider doesnt work once I get my tent, and art set up at a show. It’s too late to go home at that point.

I’m sorry you’ve had a problem, but it does happen. I read about this type a thing a lot on artists groups, because we rely on them for day to day transactions to keep money rolling in and art going out. However, I have no advice, other than to just call them or do what they ask. Sorry.

I can tell you that in Europe and India it is super easy to transfer money directly from bank account to bank account with no need for an intermediary.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

I can tell you that in Europe and India it is super easy to transfer money directly from bank account to bank account with no need for an intermediary.

A bank transfer is truly a foreign concept in the USA.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I've used PayPal a lot over the years, no major issues. I've had Chase freeze my account as well multiple times. They do it to protect you. Irritating but better than having someone who hacked your identity or stole your card taking your money.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I can tell you that in Europe and India it is super easy to transfer money directly from bank account to bank account with no need for an intermediary.

My bank does allow transfers, but it requires one to give over acct information. For most, especially a stranger at an art show, people aren’t exactly comfortable handing that info over. Friends and my family, no problem. But a stranger selling stuff, not so much.
I can’t imagine handing over my acct details to a stranger selling pipes or tobacco.

Swiping a card has the illusion of security that most in the US are more comfortable with.

 

[captainsousie]

My bank does allow transfers, but it requires one to give over acct information. For most, especially a stranger at an art show, people aren’t exactly comfortable handing that info over. Friends and my family, no problem. But a stranger selling stuff, not so much.
I can’t imagine handing over my acct details to a stranger selling pipes or tobacco.

Swiping a card has the illusion of security that most in the US are more comfortable with.

I can understand that. At least in India all you needed was a phone number for transfers.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

A bank transfer is truly a foreign concept in the USA.

Not at all. I do it all the time.

While I am sympathetic, there is something missing beside an odd amount. Hope you rectify.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I can understand that. At least in India all you needed was a phone number for transfers.

Wild! Phones aren’t linked to bank accts here. I’m not sure I’d like that. I have so many bank accts, I could see mistakes being made.

Not at all. I do it all the time.

While I am sympathetic, there is something missing beside an odd amount. Hope you rectify.

I’m baffled by your skepticism.

 

[puff_not_snuff]

Wild! Phones aren’t linked to bank accts here. I’m not sure I’d like that. I have so many bank accts, I could see mistakes being made.



I’m baffled by your skepticism.

Yes, that makes two of us. I don't know the inner workings at PayPal but as I've stated I've dealt with them for over 20 years and know how to stay out of trouble,

 

[pipestud]

I've had a Paypal account for around 20 years. In the last month I've done a couple larger than usual transactions (by no means very large) and just had my account restricted. I find this totally ludicrous. They didn't even send me an email, I only found out while I tried to purchase something which I was unable to, so I logged in to see what was up. I had to submit all sorts of information in the hopes to eventually being able to access my funds. When it comes to the banking system good luck if you ever have an issue as you have little or no power over the situation and being a long standing customer means nothing.

I could go on all day about the way PayPal treated me. But I won't. I do want to make sure you understand, puff_not_stuff, that PayPal is not a banking system. They are not regulated by the FDIC, and can do pretty much what they want until somebody cries "UNCLE!" and has the audacity to sue them. The good news for me is that in Texas, the State Banking Regulators down here even have a website designed exclusively for Texas residents to report illegal operations PayPal uses - such as holding your money for 180 days before having to release it back to you. The Texas State Banker's Association will put their own attorney's on the abuses which are taken directly to the federal government. The state's attorney's work pro bono, thank goodness, and PayPal can choose to either settle or go to court. Guess what direction they decide to go in 9 times out of 10? They gamble on the fact that most people do not have the funds to file a lawsuit against a 247 Billion dollar company - which PayPal is/was, as of 2020. And "Customer Relations" are not two words that PayPal understands... or seems to care about.

Okay, I said that I wouldn't go on all day about PayPal. So, I'll stop now. (-;

Steve

 

[sasquatch]

I have considered going back to postal money order for pipe purchases, I hate paypal as a seller.