OMG I can't believe I'm reading this, today this exact same thing happened to me and I'm really pissed off about it!! the person who I sent the money too now thinks that I'm trying to dodge them, it's all very embarrassing and annoying and not what I need.

However I think the reason is that as I am sending the money from South America it might set off a flag in their system of some sort.. who knows, mine was only a $50 transaction so they really shouldn't be able to do this!!

Oh and might I also add that I too don't have my original bank account or credit card so I sent them an email but I bet it will do no good...

I had similar problems with paypal in the beginning, but that was all sorted when I followed the steps where they put a small deposit in your bank account and you let them know how much for - just so they can 'prove' you're who you say you are.

When I looked into it in more detail I discovered it was due to anti-money laundering legislation in the UK and the US - this was the primary reason for the split of paypal.com and paypal.co.uk - the new steps where put in place as a direct result of that legislation.

As I understand it, they can 'prove' who you are a couple of different ways - before I had a CC it was the bank deposit thing - now I have a CC it appears to be much easier - they're 'allowed' to trust the CC providors information.

I'm just looking back through my paypal statment now and realised how much I use it - I live in Australia at the moment and moving money from there to the UK is free via paypal or £22 via Abby, or $30 via Commonwealth Bank of Australia, I also use it to pay for my monthly subscriptions to blip.tv, fund skype, purchase from ebay, buy a magazine subscription, oh and most importantly, pay for my Horizons DVD - all within the last couple of weeks...

Meh, I think they've got a shit load of legislation they have to abide by and they're caught in the middle in terms of 'having' to freeze accounts that don't meet the rules that are put in place. That doesn't excuse bad customer service though.

Whilst we're talking Credit Cards - it's increasinly difficult to live in todays society without one - which I think is just plane wrong - however, if you can't get a cc - as I couldn't for a while - then there are a few options that can make your life easier...

1 - Try Capital One - well known for issuing CCs with small limits to people who otherwise can't get one - it's also a full 'Credit Card' so can be used to authorise things like PayPal (£200 is the normal limit)
2 - Try a pre-paid card - but it has to be one registered to your name and address rather than an 'annomous' one bought from the post office - your bank probably already does one, if not try your local building society. This got me out of a hole when I was traveling for business and HAD to leave a copy of my CC at a hotel reception.

Hope that helps.


m

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I have never had any problem with paypal.

Once your account or card is verified your transactions will be smooth as silk.

Lee

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'Never worry about things that YOU cant change'

Account is verified... smooth like silk for ages... now, feels like the toilet paper in a German trainstation.... ouch..

How long have you been working for them, then?

How many international transactions have you tried to complete when suddenly "Verified" means sweet FA, all because PayPal don't have any cajones. Nor do they have the cajones to counter a complaint.

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Most disreputable company I've ever had the misfortune to deal with.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

I am happy to say that I dont work for them, and my opinion is that I have not had any problems and that my transactions, UK and International have been trouble free............I think Paypal is a great service...Thats my opinion, you are entitled to your opinion aswell

Lee

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'Never worry about things that YOU cant change'

I know the UK caved in to Ebay's request that all listings must have paypal as a method of payment. WHY did the Uk allow them to put that clause in all listings I wonder? They tried that in Australia and there was such a huge stink that they went away with their tail between their dirty legs.

IMO, they are one of the worst examples of a greedy monopoly; this culture is also evident on their Skype phone charges which are now exorbitant when compared to VOIP sip plans.

I've used paypal several times to purchase items from the US as well as from the UK. My credit card gets billed, no problem. I guess it may be different if I were selling items and collecting funds via paypal. I have no complaints.

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I have had a problem with Paypal in the past, just a small issue but it was handled appallingly I now have a small issue with a ebay seller. I bought some pannier inner bags from a seller (via paypal) and all went well, the bags were delivered a few days later, so far so good. But a day later another set of bags turned up, so being honest I emailed the seller to let him know of his error, he emailed back saying to post them back and he would reimburse the postage, I'm still waiting for the £5.15 postage three weeks later, after emailing him and requesting payment
I know it's not alot of money, but for my honesty I'm being dicked about by a twunt! I should have just held onto the goods until payment was received or made him have them uplifted at his expense, or even just kept them and said nothing and sold them to someone else
This has ruined it for the next person that does the same/similar thing, once bitten.................................


Trophymick

just to sound like everyone else.... i got screwed by paypal and eBay (more than once)


Last time I got screwed I sold something, sent it... and then got accused of not doing so. I proved my innocence with proof of postage. I got screwed. They withdrew my money and treated me like shit. Sod em. I boycott ebay by contacting the sellers and either offer to pay them by cash in person or by a free wire transfer an agreeable sum. So far it works for me.

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I'd agree - buying has never been a problem, but recently I have sold two items and both times the funds have been 'on hold' until the buyer has left me positive feedback... what is that all about then?

I'm meant to post something that I own, at my expense, to someone I've never met... and 'hope' the buyer likes it before I get my money?

Sounds like bollocks to me... oh and while I'm at it, Ebay have put their final value fees up to 10% of the sale price now... suddenly selling on Ebay doesn't look like such good value anymore.

Gits!

xxx

Broadly I agree, except it has not been all that sudden: things have been working against the sellers for quite some time in my view which is why I haven't sold on ebay for quite some time, but I am constantly buying via ebay.
So, there are two answers to the poll: yes and no (it takes two to make a deal - purchaser and vendor) - therefore, no vote from me.
In due course, things may swing again toward the seller.

Totally agree with the business view(s) expressed earlier as well: 3% is a very reasonable charge for transferring cash/goods/services worldwide. For a rip-off try Western Union.
Also, money laundering IS a big deal; the more checks the better so far as I am concerned.

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Dave

quite agree, corrupt and dubious, wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!
except maybe to bludgeon them with it..

So why does this thread keep bumping to the top even when no one is posting to it?