Paypal 21 Day Hold Policy

builttofail

New member
Joined
Nov 3, 2007
Messages
163
Reaction score
1
Location
huntington, West Virginia
Hey guys,

I recently sold a machine on ebay. The buyer paid through paypal (which seems to be about the only method of payment you can use there) and I got a notice saying that there's a 21 day hold on the payment, or until the buyer leaves positive feedback, or until there's shipping confirmation. Problem is, the buyer is picking it up himself. I don't sell a lot on ebay, and this is the first time i've encountered this. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what could prevent the buyer from picking it up and saying he never got it, or leaving negative feedback. It just seems kind of ludicrous for paypal to expect you to basically hand something over with no "real" payment. Especially when you have 100 percent feedback and have been a member for nearly a decade.
 
Can you have the buyer leave positive feedback from your pc before he loads the machine? Would that free up the money that very second?
 
I don't know if it would free it up instantly. But I suppose that would be an option. I worry that he may be an oddball and take offense to it. I guess the best I can hope for is for him to understand that I can't get payment till he does. While I understand that ebay/paypal is attempting to protect people, from what I see myself and hear from others, they dont really seem to care much about the seller.
 
Email him letting him know of the trouble prior to him leaving to pickup the game. Its easier to sort that out first versus when he gets there. I wouldn't let the game leave without confirmed payment.
 
You can call Paypal and see what your options are . I had to deal with one of those holds too . When your feedback is under 100 I think they do it to you .

You know what I would do , I'd refund the money to the person and have them pay cash .
 
They do that if you are fairly new to Paypal or don't use it that much. Once you get a history it's not required. I would do what you suggested, have him come over to pick it up and leave feedback on the spot for it. In the feedback have him state machine picked up on (Date) happy with purchase would deal again or something like that. If he is an odd duck you will either have to take your chances or not sell it to him.
 
I had this happen a long time ago. IIRC when I talked with Paypal they said it was simply because there was a transaction limit on my account and beings this went over "said limit" they put a hold on it till it cleared. After that one transaction I've had $4000+ run through and have never had a problem after that.

Having the money held up like that - I think that could leave you open to get screwed. Call me paranoid but I'd CALL the buyer and explain what's going on and that you will be declining his Paypal payment (If still an option) and request cash or a cashiers check. Sadly this buyer could show up/ load up and then have something happen with Paypal and you're toast.
 
I feel yah, today im dealing with this through paypal

i paid for an item, it arrived broken $19.99, seller refunded 1/2 $9.99....but for some reason paypal is holding the full amount again $19.99 from me and im the buyer.... so I have paid $29.98 1 1/2 x the original amount for a broken item + my refund of $9.99... not sure how that works...
 
Last edited:
i'm partially aggravated because the buyer offered cash on pickup originally, but i said i preferred to use paypal. with my thinking being: i don't want him backing out at the last moment. i would send the money back to him and ask for cash but paypal has already taken their bite out of it and I cant actually access the rest of the money to send it back to him.
 
I feel yah, today im dealing with this through paypal

i paid for an item, it arrived broken $19.99, seller refunded 1/2 $9.99....but for some reason paypal is holding the full amount again $19.99 from me and im the buyer.... so I have paid $29.98 1 1/2 x the original amount for a broken item + my refund of $9.99... not sure how that works...

The only reason they would have a hold on the money is because the issue hasn't been noted as being resolved on your end. Once you advise them that you and the seller have reached an agreement and that a partial refund has been received they'll release the seller's funds.
 
i'm partially aggravated because the buyer offered cash on pickup originally, but i said i preferred to use paypal. with my thinking being: i don't want him backing out at the last moment. i would send the money back to him and ask for cash but paypal has already taken their bite out of it and I cant actually access the rest of the money to send it back to him.

Just offer a full refund then ask him to bring cash on pickup.
 
i'm partially aggravated because the buyer offered cash on pickup originally, but i said i preferred to use paypal. with my thinking being: i don't want him backing out at the last moment. i would send the money back to him and ask for cash but paypal has already taken their bite out of it and I cant actually access the rest of the money to send it back to him.

You call Paypal and tell them the buyer wants a refund but theres a hold on the money , or have the buyer call .
 
Hey guys,

I recently sold a machine on ebay. The buyer paid through paypal (which seems to be about the only method of payment you can use there) and I got a notice saying that there's a 21 day hold on the payment, or until the buyer leaves positive feedback, or until there's shipping confirmation. Problem is, the buyer is picking it up himself. I don't sell a lot on ebay, and this is the first time i've encountered this. I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what could prevent the buyer from picking it up and saying he never got it, or leaving negative feedback. It just seems kind of ludicrous for paypal to expect you to basically hand something over with no "real" payment. Especially when you have 100 percent feedback and have been a member for nearly a decade.
Have him inspect the game at your place, leave positive feedback for you on your computer while you are watching, then leave with his game. Personally when he told me he was going to stop by and pick it up, I would have told him cash upon pickup (despite what eBay's bullshit policies are).
 
Have him inspect the game at your place, leave positive feedback for you on your computer while you are watching, then leave with his game. Personally when he told me he was going to stop by and pick it up, I would have told him cash upon pickup (despite what eBay's bullshit policies are).

I've had the buyer leave positive feedback and it STILL didn't free up the money . I then had to call Paypal the next day and have them take the hold off the funds .
 
I've had the buyer leave positive feedback and it STILL didn't free up the money . I then had to call Paypal the next day and have them take the hold off the funds .
I don't see a lot of other choices, do you? After all, the buyer offered to bring cash and the seller/OP told him to do otherwise. *shrugs*
 
It's not fair to REQUIRE cash if you sold it on ebay. What if he was using a credit card. I've done it plenty of times when buying from an individual. I never have cash so I always use a CC for this type of purchase.

If your using craigslist then cash it is.
 
It's not fair to REQUIRE cash if you sold it on ebay. What if he was using a credit card. I've done it plenty of times when buying from an individual. I never have cash so I always use a CC for this type of purchase.

If your using craigslist then cash it is.

It's not fair to REQUIRE a 21 day hold.

They pulled that shit on me so I called and cancelled my Paypal account, and told them on the phone that I was doing it only because of this hold crap. Then signed up for a new one and associated it to my eBay account. All better now.
 
It's not fair to REQUIRE cash if you sold it on ebay. What if he was using a credit card. I've done it plenty of times when buying from an individual. I never have cash so I always use a CC for this type of purchase.

If your using craigslist then cash it is.

So you would let someone take your game away without making a payment???? You might as well not have the money if Paypal is holding onto it.
 
Back
Top Bottom