Paypal

[bruceybonus]

Hi all, I sold a mobile phone on Ebay through a buy it now sale and someone bought it with no feedback instantly overnight and the money went into my paypal account. two days later as I was spending the money in my paypal account it suddenly wouldnt let me buy anything and when queried, paypal had taken the money out of my paypal acccount as they said it was a fraudulent transaction. This was at the beginning of december and I was not eligible to get a refund as the buyer did not have a verified address but three different people in paypal said I would get the money back as I provided online tracking. I have now reported it to the police who dont think fraud has taken place, but Im still �210 out of pocket. Please could someone help me and tell me if I can get that money back from paypal

[stevie21]

Read www.paypalsucks.com - they tend to tell you what paypal actually will and won't do rather than what they may promise to do.

[bruceybonus]

thanks stevie21, I have been astounded by the number of horror stories about paypal...I have just emailed paypal with some more requests for my money....heres hoping !!!

[jridgeback]

Hi. I sold a Louis Vuitton bag on Ebay (a real one) last year and it sold for �410 - the buyer (who lives in paris) payed by paypal, although as soon as I tried to transfer the money to my account paypal froze it, despite the fact I had sent the item, the buyer had received it and left positive feedback.. This was because they thought I was not going to send the item, despite the fact I have over 200 positive feedback and had already sent it ! They also rang pretending to be other companies, trying to find out details about the transaction. After 4 moths they said I would get my money, but they had to wait until a six month period incase trhe credit card company tried to get their money back. I did eventually get my money in the end although it was over 10 months after the sale, and every time I rang I had to explain the whole scenario over again as you could never speak to the same person. At the time there call centre was also in america, so it cost a lot in phone bills - although I believe they have now opened one in this country. My advice would be to keep records of everything that has happened and the dates you have spoken to, as they asked me to fax them a copy of my proof of postage and passport ! Do not give up - ring them every day if that's what it takes !

[Hgrove]

Also, if all else fails, you could try writing to one of the "financial agony aunts" in the papers.  The one on the Observer is managed by Margaret Dibben but I am sure all papers have one.  If the paper takes up your case, these companies sometimes cough up rather than being named and shamed.