# Ebay Problem: Sold Item, No Money **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 12, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985 "2009-01-12T21:41:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/1 "2009-01-12T21:41:36Z")
I sold an item on Ebay a few weeks ago. The auction closed December 27th. I shipped it shortly thereafter (the 29th, I believe). Since then I have received no communication from Ebay, PayPal, or the buyer regarding my money, nor any confirmation that the buyer received it. It was sent parcel post by USPS – does it normally take this long? It went from Springfield, Illinois to Truckee, California, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/2 "2009-01-12T21:44:20Z")
Are you saying that you shipped the item before receiving payment? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/3 "2009-01-12T21:44:51Z")
You shipped it before you received payment? Why did you do that? ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/4 "2009-01-12T21:48:05Z")
If the buyer uses PayPal, then PayPal will take the payment and hold it until the buyer receives the item, or I think until 30 days have passed. Check the help files on the eBay site; they will explain this. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/5 "2009-01-12T21:51:06Z")
I’ve got a line on my PayPal page that has the transaction there, but it won’t let me claim it. It lists it as “Pending.” It looks like this: Pending Balance * * * Currency : U.S. Dollar Balance Type Amount Minimum Reserve : $0.00 USD Rolling Reserve : $0.00 USD Gift Certificates : $0.00 USD Payment Review Holds: $0.00 USD Payment hold for eBay item: $95.83 USD Total Pending Balance: $95.83 USD There are no records to display for January * * * It looks like PayPal is waiting for confirmation from the buyer. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/6 "2009-01-12T21:52:03Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > If the buyer uses PayPal, then PayPal will take the payment and hold it until the buyer receives the item, or I think until 30 days have passed. Check the help files on the eBay site; they will explain this. Are you sure? I’ve paid with PayPal many times and never once notified them when an item arrived. ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/7 "2009-01-12T21:53:06Z")
Everytime I’ve sold an item on eBay I always get a notice from Paypal that I have received a payment. Only then do I ship out. Whenever I’ve paid for an eBay auction with Paypal I’ve never had to go back and mark that I received the package and I’ve never had a seller contact me to do so. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/8 "2009-01-12T21:54:45Z")
At least, I _think_ that’s how it works. I’m no expert. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/9 "2009-01-12T21:56:53Z")
[What is a “Pending” payment?](http://pages.ebay.com/help/pay/questions/pending.html) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/10 "2009-01-12T21:57:46Z")
From [this](https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/Marketing/securitycenter/sell/SaferPayments-outside) page: > [@](#): > > What is a payment hold for an eBay item? > > It’s when PayPal temporarily holds a payment you receive for an item you sold on eBay. The amounts held will appear as Pending in your PayPal account until we release the funds. You still have access to all other funds in your PayPal account. > When will PayPal release the payment hold for an eBay item? > > Your funds will be released after 21 days. We may release funds earlier when one of the following occurs: > > ``` > * The buyer leaves you positive feedback on eBay > * 3 days pass after we confirm the item was delivered* > > ``` > > If you receive a dispute, claim, chargeback, or reversal on the transaction subject to the eBay item hold, we may hold the payment until the problem is resolved, even if the claim, chargeback, or reversal occurs after the hold is released. > Why would PayPal hold one of my payments? > > To increase marketplace safety, we may hold payments that seem risky. Here are some common reasons for holding payments: > > ``` > * You have been an eBay member for less than 6 months, and you sell an item for more than $100, or > * You have an eBay feedback score of less than 100, and you sell an item for more than $100, or > * You have a Buyer dissatisfaction percentage** 5% or greater than 5%, or > * You have an average Detailed Seller Rating (DSR) of less than 4.5, or > * You have received fewer than 20 Detailed Seller Ratings in the last 12 months, or > * You are listing your item in a high-risk category such as gift certificates, video games, cell phones, computers or consumer electronics. > > ``` > > PayPal doesn’t hold payments for eBay items if you meet the following: > > ``` > * You have been an eBay member for 6-months or more, and > * Your total Feedback score is 100 or greater, and > * Your Buyer dissatisfaction percentage** is less than 5%. > > ``` > > Or > > ``` > * Your average DSR is 4.5 or greater and > * Your have received 20 or more DSRs in the last 12-months > * Your buyer dissatisfaction percentage is less than 5% > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/11 "2009-01-12T22:00:08Z")
Did you send it by a method that provides proof of delivery? If so, you should be able to enter the tracking number into the transaction details page - I think it gets automatically verified and your payment is then released. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2009, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/12 "2009-01-13T01:37:25Z")
I think you may be SOL. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/13 "2009-01-19T01:01:16Z")
**Update:** PayPal has _finally_ released my money. They were not releasing the payment until the seller confirmed receipt of the merchandise. I contacted the seller last week, and he confirmed that he had not received the merchandise. Apparently he’s received it since then, since PayPal has released the money. I find it a little odd that it took over three weeks, but then again, I sent it Parcel Post, and it went to a town at the top of a mountain in California, in the dead of winter (Truckee). Anyway, all is well. Thanks for everyone’s help. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/14 "2009-01-19T01:48:21Z")
I would never ship an item under those conditions. I get paid before shipping. No exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/15 "2009-01-19T02:09:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I would never ship an item under those conditions. I get paid before shipping. No exceptions. Then you won’t be able to use Paypal, and hence cut your market by a significant percentage. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/16 "2009-01-19T02:13:40Z")
You can’t use eBay without using PayPal, cutting the market further still. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/17 "2009-01-19T02:16:42Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Then you won’t be able to use Paypal, and hence cut your market by a significant percentage. > [@Mangetout](#): > > You can’t use eBay without using PayPal, cutting the market further still. Sure I can. I have 265 positive feedback comments from satisfied customers. That rule doesn’t apply to me. I’m just saying, if it did, I wouldn’t sell at all. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/18 "2009-01-19T02:25:00Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Sure I can. I have 265 positive feedback comments from satisfied customers. That rule doesn’t apply to me. I’m just saying, if it did, I wouldn’t sell at all. I have 996 positives (zero negatives), and it applies to me… I guess you are just special. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/19 "2009-01-19T02:29:54Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > I have 996 positives (zero negatives), and it applies to me… I can only conclude that you do not meet one or more of the requirements to avoid that rule: > [@](#): > > PayPal doesn’t hold payments for eBay items if you meet the following: > > - You have been an eBay member for 6-months or more, and > - Your total Feedback score is 100 or greater, and > - Your Buyer dissatisfaction percentage\*\* is less than 5%. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985/20 "2009-01-19T02:37:08Z")
Nevermind, **Fear Itself** explained it… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-problem-sold-item-no-money/480985.md?page=2)