Ebay and Paypal, thank you for a thoroughly frustrating service...

thinking of selling a car? Well so was I... I did all the right things, photos of everything, including last service, mot cert, was a fair and honest as I could be. The made my big mistake used Ebay.

I thought, why not use them? I have no expectations about selling price so why not put it in for an auction. Auction went fine and sold the car, buyer picked the car up and paid via Paypal.

I then found out Paypal don't release the money for 21 days!!! I decided to speak to Ebay about this as it seemed a bit ridiculous, the following is the transcript from our conversation;

Jennifer 10:16:41
Welcome to eBay Live Help, my name is Jennifer. How may I be of assistance?

james*shea 10:17:56
I sold my car yesterday and it is being collected today, why are you with holding my money for 21 days?

Jennifer 10:18:30
I understand that the funds are still on hold.

Jennifer 10:19:09
I can see that that buyer paid via Paypal and notice that you are subjected to funds availability.

Jennifer 10:19:20
Funds availability applies to you if you’re a new seller and you’ve been selling on eBay.co.uk for less than 90 days, you’ve made fewer than 25 transactions in total and you’ve generated less than £165 in total sales. Your buyers’ payments in PayPal may also be held if you’ve previously been suspended or are currently below standard. In other words, the funds will not be held if you have been selling for more than 3 months, completing 25 or more transactions during that time with a total sale value of £165 or above.

Jennifer 10:19:27
If you are subject to funds availability, you’ll be notified when listing an item on eBay, and you’ll receive a notification from PayPal when you receive a payment and the funds are pending. You can also track when the funds will be available in your "sold items" section of "my eBay".

james*shea 10:20:15
there is no delivery it is being collected. Why are you with holding these funds?

Jennifer 10:22:19
As the buyer paid the item via Paypal and you are not meeting the criteria above as you are a new seller.

james*shea 10:24:39
At no stage does it say this any where when listing an item or opening a Paypal account? You have no legal right to hold this money and want to know the process of making a formal complaint and how to get the interest back from yourselves as this money is not yours to hold

Jennifer 10:26:24
I understand that James. But as the buyer paid via PayPal the funds availability will apply on your transaction. You can check this link for more information about funds availability:

Jennifer 10:26:27
Pushing Url: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/security/funds-availability

Jennifer [Push Page] https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/security/funds-availability10:26:27


james*shea 10:28:24
Paypal has said if you mark the item as delivered they will release the money?

james*shea 10:28:51
Also I wish to make a formal complaint how do I do this?

Jennifer 10:29:54
You may send your complaints on the address below:

eBay Administration

eBay Europe

P.O.Box 9473

Dublin 15

Ireland

Jennifer 10:30:06
We only have address to send your compliant.

Jennifer 10:30:13
*complaints

Jennifer 10:31:36
The reason why it takes 21 days is becuased the item don't have an estimated delivery date as this is for collection. But as a rule of funds availability, The funds for each transaction will become available 3 calendar days after eBay’s estimated delivery date if tracking information is uploaded to My eBay, or 7 calendar days after the latest estimated delivery date if the item is marked as dispatched. If no shipping information is provided to eBay, funds will be available 21 calendar days after the buyer pays.

james*shea 10:32:36
there is no option to put collected??? That is a complete con to take your money for 21 days!

Jennifer 10:37:00
Yes as the system will not let yuou also to list an item without putting PayPal.

james*shea 10:37:02
Are you going to adjust the delivery date? as you know its been collected?

Jennifer 10:37:28
I'm sorry as there is no option to adjust the delivery dates.

Jennifer 10:38:29
Here's what I can suggest James.

james*shea 10:38:57
but thats a complete con then?

Jennifer 10:39:42
You have an option to refund the buyer and advise them to pay you in cash for you to get the payment once they collect the car to you. But the disadvantage will be; we will not be able to cover both you and the buyer on this transaction if they pay via cash.

Jennifer 10:39:51
You can discuss this with the buyer if you'd like.

james*shea 10:43:24
Unlike yourselves I believe in being fair and having integrity, I will not be doing that and I will never be using your service again. You have no legal reason or right to withhold money owed to me and are going to financially benefit yourselves by doing this. This make your actions at best dishonest and at worst fraudulent.

Jennifer 10:44:55
I understand your feedback on this matter. I will be forwarding your concern to the Specialised team but the funds availability will still be active on your account until you meet the criterias.

james*shea 10:46:06
enjoy 21 days of interest on my money and no doubt countless others! I'm sure this helps your accounts!!

Jennifer 10:47:17
Here's how you can contact us via chat:

Jennifer 10:47:18
1. Click on the ‘Help & Contact’ tab found on the upper-right hand side of eBay page.

Jennifer 10:47:18
2. Click the ‘Contact eBay’ tab just beside the ‘Find an answer’ tab.

Jennifer 10:47:19
3. On the next page, you will be asked to sign in with your details. If you are not registered yet, click on the ‘I'm a guest’ button instead.

Jennifer 10:47:20
4. Choose the topic that best matches your query by dragging your cursor either on ‘Buying’, ‘Selling’ or ‘My account’ tabs.

Jennifer 10:47:20
5. You'll then be given information about what you can do next and the best way to contact us.

Jennifer 10:47:21


Jennifer 10:47:27
Sorry bout that informations.

Jennifer 10:47:42
I'm having technical issues in my end. It's my pleasure to assist you today.

Jennifer 10:47:43
Thank you for contacting eBay Live Help, have a good morning.

System10:49:25
The chat session is being wrapped up.

System10:49:25
The chat session has ended. 

I didn't feel much of a 'customer' after this exchange. I suggest any people who read this blog, bear this in mind if using either Ebay or Paypal.