paypal payment 'pending'

[zafirah]

Hi

Someone from Germany paid for an ebay item through some weird paypal method (bank transfer?) that is still 'pending'. (and before you all chip in, no I'm not going to send it until it has cleared, I'm not an idiot!)

I've read what I can on the internet about what 'should' happen, just looking for actualy personal experience of how long it takes.

I assumed everyone would pay by instant transfer and I thought an item ending tuesday was enough time for everyone to have paid and me to post out by the time I leave for Cairo Monday lunchtime!

The member also has private feedback which makes me a bit worried. Why would you do that unless you have something to hide?

Z

[tjayeob]

I just had some "pending" funds released it took almost 2 weeks! It is weird that the feedback is hidden, I thought you wanted everyone to see your feedback, unless they have something to hide.

[zafirah]

Oh well its gonna be a while before she gets the costume then! I just hope the buyer realises its her causing the delay, not me (I even have my bf primed to post it while I'm in Cairo if the funds clear)

[Nazarah]

It may be an echeck, usually for those ebay gives you an estimate of how long it will take to clear, and it's usually exactly right unless the member doesn't have the money in their account. Echecks I receive almost always clear.
Usually even with private feedback you can see the % score, just not the comments. Usually nothing to worry about unless the % is low. Ebay US no longer allows negative feedback comments to be left for buyers, so private feedback usually pertains to selling activity anyway.

[lilya]

My husband the technoweenie just ALMOST got scammed by someone through paypal - they used the buy it now option on his ebay auction and sent a spoof paypal email saying that the funds would be released when a shipping number was sent. My husband sent the item, realized his error in time, and had UPS recall it.

Not saying your thing is a scam, just saying you're absolutely right to hold on to the item until money is in your hot little hands (or paypal acct). I've had people use an echeck as well - I don't recall it taking two weeks to clear, but it certainly takes some time.... I think it's something to do with not having a credit card on file with PP?

[Michelle75]

Have you contacted the buyer to see if they are aware this is pending? Maybe they don't know. I doubt it but strange things have been known to happen.

[zafirah]

Michelle - not yet, but was planning on sending a 'thanks for your payment, as it is currently pending I will ship as soon as it has cleared' kind of nudge!

[mekyria]

zafirah, i think this member has her bank account linked to her paypal account. Before I got a creditcard, I used the same method. I had to manually put money in my account with a bank transfer (it would take 5-7 days) before my payments cleared.

If I was the buyer, I'd appreciate an email about the pending payment. Once I learned how much time it took for bank transfers to clear, I got myself a credit card and went on a mad buying spree.

[steffib]

I highly doubt that the buyer can do anything about this, these delays are the banks' way to make money ;-) I believe that in Europe, laws require banks to be a bit more zippy than in the US (cash deposits at the ATM can take days to show up in one's account, for instance), but with cross-border transactions, it may take a bit longer.

[zafirah]

Well the buyer replied promptly so I'm sure its OK, and she does have a website etc so I'm sure its all fine if she's using her public dance name in her dealings.

I've had an insane buyer in the past (dodgy old man wanting to buy some danskin boy shorts) who had positive but private feedback so was bracing myself for the worst!!

Z

[kina]

just as an fyi, my card just expired with paypal and when I made a payment it went via echeck as my only option.

[auraevans]

I think that if they pay with their checking account instead of a credit card this is what happens. I do not know why it takes 4-5 days to transfer money in or out of a checking account with paypal.

[steffib]

I think that if they pay with their checking account instead of a credit card this is what happens. I do not know why it takes 4-5 days to transfer money in or out of a checking account with paypal.

Money disappearing somewhere between recipient and sender for a few days = profit for whoever holds up the transfer.

[gypsydanse]

If you pay with instant transfer, it comes out of your bank account. But they also give you the option of paying by eCheck or with a credit card. When I pay I use instant transfer, and so does everyone that buys from me. It's rare that someone will use an eCheck.

[Nathara]

You could always contact PayPal and see what's up. I had a payment that pended forever and I called them and they told me they needed delivery confirmation for it to clear since it was an eBay sale item - they said it only applied to eBay sales, though. Sucked since I was counting on the payment to cover the shipping. Sure enough, it cleared when I got my delivery confirmation. YMMV.

[zafirah]

Hi

Well it cleared this morning (Friday) after being sent Tuesday night so wasn't too bad in the end and I can post her costume before I go to Cairo, which is all I was worried about!

Z