Here I am on Day 4 of this grand theft adventure, and I have a question. Why was I so foolish to believe that 3 Paypal reps would give me reliable information?
Next time I start talking gibberish like “It’s going to be okay,” just give me a virtual slap. Thank you in advance.
I called Paypal this afternoon to inquire about the status of my case. I remained calm. No raising of the voice… I smiled and gave them my best perky girl impression. This rep told me that I was (ahem) MISINFORMED by the other 3 reps on Monday. It won’t take 24-48 hours as I was originally quoted. It will take 3-5 days.
Apparently they’re still reeling from the Christmas rush. So their caseload has been pushed back.
She told me that it would’ve been better for me to upload the documents via my account. Yes - I explained - I tried to upload the documents on Monday like a good little Girl Scout. But I kept getting a 500 Internal Server Error after the second document.
I was reluctant to only upload 2 documents, and possibly not be allowed to upload any more. I was scared that I’d be pushed to the back of the line again, required to submit everything on the original list. That’s why I faxed everything. (Still smiling, barely… possibly speaking through a clenched teeth smile.)
No, that wouldn’t happen, she assured me.
I picked up my daughter from school, and when I returned I uploaded the 4 documents - 2 at a time. Let me refresh your memory, that’s:
* My checking account statement showing the address on my Paypal account;
* My credit card statement showing the address on my Paypal account;
* A copy of my ID;
* A list of download URL’s for my e-books.
As I uploaded everything, I felt my skin crawl. Like I just gave every scammer in the universe carte blanche access to my identity and my business. I’m beginning to hate this process. Yes, I know it’s necessary, but that’s a lot of personal info at the hands of some company that won’t even give you a clear response on what you did wrong.
Oh yes… that’s the other thing. Each time I call I ask the rep what happened to make my account become restricted.
They only give me a response when I tell them what I sell. One woman today didn’t know what an e-book was, and that it was delivered online.
THESE are the frontline people looking out for us. Oy vey!
So after I uploaded everything I called them again to inquire about the length of time it would take for my paperwork to get reviewed. This rep told me 3-5 days. She also told me that it was unnecessary for me to upload everything to the account. The fax would’ve been okay considering the amount of time that passed. Nice.
The bottom line is this: I still don’t know why my account was restricted. Everything told to me has apparently been speculation. My paperwork still hasn’t been reviewed by Paypal.
I am still carefully considering other payment options. 2Checkout looks great, and they’re working on integrating an affiliate program. (You can still use a third party option in the meantime.) Google Checkout maybe. Clickbank maybe.
I’m examining EVERY usage policy with a fine tooth comb. I can’t afford to make this mistake again.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:41 am
What’s wrong with google checkout, they’re your overlords and protecter of the innocent!
January 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Alexis, I feel the pain. I had a merchant account for so long until everyone back in 99 started screaming to take paypal. I NEVER lost a chargeback with my merchant account. With paypain I have lost every single chargeback! One of the chargebacks was for over $3100 and the customer still had the item!! I asked paypal and they said “well, maybe you should email him and ask him to return your item” Ueffinbelievable.
They are spineless and cowtow to visa and mc. Besides like you said most of the boobs that work there have no idea of what’s going on. They are like mushrooms. Kept in the dark and fed s***. Kind of like us PP merchants too!
Maybe you need to think about using your own merchant account. Clickbank takes so long to pay but once it gets going it’s somewhat ok but they refund any tom, dick or harry for whatever reason they make up.
Paypal does have it’s unique advantages but your money is not covered. If they ever go belly up there’s gonna be a lot of people holding the short end of the stick. It’s either paypal’s way or the highway.
Most likely unless you speak to someone with higher security access the lower eschelon boobs that answer the phone there will have no access to the real reason they/it/the computer put you on freeze. More than likely it was a automatic hiccup by their security software someplace but I still do not see how anyone, even in 100 years, buying a book from you can freeze your account, that’s just total BS. Freeze their account yes, but not yours. There obviously is a deeper reason that has not been explained.
The scary thing is it can happen again in 3 months. ZAPPED! and all you can do is bend over, grin and bear it.
There is a good horror stories website called paypalsucks.com
Mike
January 11th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
P.S. I think PP also freezes accounts randomly for no other reason than to increase profits. Can you even imagine the interest they are earning on their assets while they throw you a half chewed bone.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
P.P.S.
Here’s a clip from paypalsucks.com Food for thought.
With PayPal, your money is deposited into a PayPal Account, which PayPal Fully Controls. Since PayPal is NOT a bank, they do not need to follow federal banking regulations. These regulations are designed to help the “Average Joe” avoid issues like having their bank account frozen for weeks or months with no explanation.
“Who would trust their money with a bank that could do that?”
Sadly, Paypal routinely freezes its customers’ accounts for almost anything and without warning. Once an account is frozen, the funds are often held by PayPal for months on end with Absolutely No Recourse for the merchant.
A domino effect occurs when a PayPal account is frozen, leaving the merchant with No Means To Fill Orders. Those orders are then disputed by customers, creating more chargebacks and the illusion of fraudulent activity on the part of the merchant. The Bottom Line? Accept credit cards with a Real Merchant Account.
Paypal’s terms of service are not completely disclosed upon signup and some key “conditions” are not disclosed. They fail to mention their total lack of security to prevent your account from being compromised by phishing & spoof sites. That if your account is accessed by a criminal using one of these methods, PayPal will hold YOU monetarily & legally responsible! Also, no place do they openly tell potential members that their money is 100% at risk. That PayPal can, will, and has in the past, completely cleaned out customers’ accounts, (including your checking or savings account) with no appeals process available. Instead they bury in the fine print of 37 pages of their “Terms of Service” (ToS) where they disclose to you that PayPal can close your account for any reason what-so-ever, or no reason, and then you have to wait 180 days to get your money. Think that’ll never happen? Think again. That’s what everyone thinks till it happens to them.
Here’s a copy of the dreaded email from paypal.
Thank you for contacting PayPal. We apologize for the delay in responding to your service request.
After review, the decision has been made to keep your account locked. This decision cannot be appealed.
If you have any further questions, please reply to this email.
If you are a bona fide, up-standing individual with hundreds of successful transactions, but someone pays you with a stolen credit card, your account (by PayPal’s own admission) is immediately frozen as being “criminal behavior” and any money in that account is confiscated. If a customer “disputes” the charge, same thing happens.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Alexis,
Here’s an interview with an ex-PP middle manager with higher security clearance. He spills the beans what is really going on at PP. Stuff you won’t hear from the ex-mcdonald’s frycook boobs at the 800 number.
http://paypalsucks.com/PayPalFormerEmployee1.shtml