PAYPAL: A WARNING - they now keep sales money for a month from new sellers

[Corygal]

Just had confirmation from Paypal in person that;

1. Any new sellers on ebay or other venues will have their payments 'held' for 21 working days. That means that if you're making sales for Xmas, you won't be paid until late Jan 2013.
   

1. You must, repeat must, fund the postage yourself, from other funds. You can't use your balance to pay even a few pence towards postage bills.
   

1. If you want your own money sooner, or even repayment for the postage, you must email each buyer individually and ask them to leave feedback, explaining that otherwise you won't be paid. You are graciously allowed to explain that you won't be paid until this has happened. If the buyer doesn't, the funds are available after a month or so.

[Corygal]

In full rant mode here - my poor DB lost his job and tried to use ebay to help with a small family Xmas by selling their possessions.

He's been dumped with a 98 quid post bill - which he has to fund from his pathetic benefits the day before he does the Christmas shop at Tesco.

No turkey this year.

[Vajazzler]

Thats very bad news So they cant even buy their postage through paypal like other ebayers?

[LineRunner]

I'm just glad I began selling in the summer when I had some 'start up' money available to tide me over for that first month.

I certainly didn't have the confidence to bother buyers about leaving positive feedback. And actually a common warning on eBay's own discussion boards is: Don't ask for feedback, as you may not like what you get back.

[KvetnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

oh, does this explain why I haven't got my money then? got an email today from paypal saying that I need to withdraw money from my account by january 17th or it will be returned to the sender, but there is no sign of it in my paypal account. it's my first ever sale, and was luckily only a couple of quid, but grr! why couldn't they let me know about this though?!

[fergoose]

if the money isn't there did the buyer pay to the wrong email address?

[Corygal]

Vajazaller - you can't even use your own money to pay postage. Apparently you used to be able to, but Paypal banned it without telling anyone. Links to do this have been left live on the site but cancel when you click.

Kvet - I'm not sure what yr selling status is. You could call Paypal to check this, but don't forget that the cost of the call on their premium rate line will be way more than your ebay sale.

[TalkinPeace2]

If you are selling on ebay enough to get a £98 postage bill, the paypal may be the LEAST of your issues.
Are you buying to resell - in which case you are a business and may no longer be eligible for benefits
be VERY VERY careful
(by the way the Paypal rule changed 18 months ago)

have a read through my me page URGENTLY
cgi3.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=talkinpeace

[Corygal]

No it's not a business, he flogged his collection of posh boots and shoes, which cost almost a tenner each to post. Weigh a ton. So I think he only sold about 12 things.

Cheers, I'll have a look.

[Corygal]

Thanks - I've had a good read and it doesn't apply. Somehow I don't think he'll be repeating the experience anyway....

[ozymandiusking]

Hi everyone, is all this true? I have had a look on paypal's policy updates and cant find any thing relating to this. Please can someone tell me where to read about this.
KvetnutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire I have never known paypal ask me to withdraw money. Why don't you contact them by email? Ask them where has the money gone,try looking at, "My account" transactions at money received and money sent.

[notnagging]

I sold on eBay last week & money was transferred straight away

[TalkinPeace2]

notnagging
it applies to new sellers and ANY designer clothes items - linked to the chargeback timescales.
I'm not affected by it either having been on ebay for ever

[Corygal]

Talkin you are the best. Some of my retailer friends tell me that Paypal is having huge problems, so you can see the cashgrab comes in handy.

I'd like to find somewhere to read about this too - there's nothing I can see. When I called Paypal to check, their adviser confirmed everything and then squealed "Are you accusing me of lying?" when I queried it... .only amusing bit of the whole experience.