PayPal - The worst customer non-service I have ever experienced

Autoblog · 08-24-2009, 01:49 PM

Hi Everyone.

I would just like to share the latest experience from the latest victim of paypigs long line of disgruntled customers.

Earlier today I transacted a deal on DNForum.com, placing a few links on some of my sites for another member. He paid me via paypal as per a normal transaction.

A few hours later, I login to my paypal account to transfer the money to my bank, only to find my account has become "limited" and all access to MY money has been denied. After an hour of searching to try uncover paypal's contact phone number (as I know they virtually never give any decent response to emails), I found it hidden in a remote part of the site (wonder why they feel they must hide it ey?).

A 30 minute call to a premium rated number revealed them basically telling me to "get screwed, as they own my money". After explaining to them what the payment was for (SEO purposes, ie link building), they instructed me to send them invoices proving that "I own the links that I sold". Have you ever heard anything so rediculous?

I attempted again and again to explain to these arrogant and completely ignorant customer non-service representatives that there were no invoices, and explained to them what link building means and exactly how the agreement for the service was done, they had this to say:

"we reserve every right to freeze your account and hold any amount of money contained within for any amount of time, or indefinitely. You agreed to this when you accepted our terms of service. We will only release the hold on your account once you have provided us with the requested invoices proving ownership of the links sold".

I then proceeded to ask them if getting the buyer to contact them and confirm the purchase and that the service was rendered as aggreed would be proof enough to release MY money. There reply will make you realise 100% why they have so many 1000's of furious customers. They replied the following:

"Will the buyers voice resemble an invoice in your opinion? Or would you like to use the held funds to purchase a hearing aid so that you can actually listen to what I have told you? Your funds will remain held and your account limited until you provide us with the required physical invoices. Once received, we will review your account and make a decision as to releasing your funds. Our policies are in place to prevent fraudulent transactions like this one taking place, and to make paypal a more secure network".

Basically they are not only thieves, but then they want to tell me that I AM COMMITTING FRAUD??? If there is any fraud going on, it is within the ranks of paypal (surely this type of practice MUST be illegal?). I have had my paypal account fully verified, and have used it to make and receive payments for the past 6 YEARS, without a single dispute or chargeback.

I have never been spoken to like that as a customer before, and as I am sure everyone will understand, I was furious for the way I was being treated.

I told the paypig customer non-service representative to put me through to his superior, and guess how his reply went? You guessed it, rude once again. He said:

"You have no right to demand to speak to anyone here. I am dealing with the problem as I have been trained to do. We do not tolerate abuse to our staff as you are giving me right now from fraudulent user's of our system. We have every right to hold your money until you prove that this is a legitimate transaction".

So according to that, paypal train their staff to be as rude as they possibly can to their customers? And also, any customer (even with a long, clean history with them) is guilty until proven innocent? Even murderers are innocent until PROVEN GUILTY, not the other way around.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/warnings-and-alerts/605533-paypal-worst-customer-non-service-i.html
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=605533

Luckily, I was still able to use the refund option to return the money to the DNF member who made the payment, who has agreed to repay me, but I am now down another £380 which was in my paypal account.

Surely this type of action is against the feeral banking codes of each district paypal operates in?

If anyone knows a way that this can be dealt with, so that I can recover my money, please let me know as any help would be greatly appreciated. Like many before me (and i am sure many after me), I have had to learn the hard way that paypal in no way look out for their customer's.

FitLike? · 08-24-2009, 06:52 PM

I'd find out the representatives name, hunt him down and kick his arse. He has no right to talk to anyone that way.

Domainace · 08-24-2009, 07:04 PM

Paypal will someday be knocked on its ass by a massive class-action suit, and possibly criminal penalties. In the meantime, they can keep hiring employees from the local carwash to abuse their customers.

happyhappy · 08-25-2009, 01:01 PM

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. My mother called them today to get her account reactivated and it was smooth no issues what so ever... below you will find a whole list of numbers for paypal.

PayPal Phone Numbers

FreshAvails.com · 08-25-2009, 01:06 PM

paypal is not a bank and not required to follow any of the banking regulations.

***Corey*** · 08-25-2009, 01:23 PM

I never had a problem with them...the customer service when I rang was A1 and they sorted out any problems I had ASAP.

Cheers
Corey

yilduz · 08-25-2009, 06:09 PM

Maybe we should all e-mail Google. The GiantAwesomeMachine of the internet should be able to make something similar to Paypal and beat it into the ground.

Who's with me?

PolurNET · 08-25-2009, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by yilduz

Maybe we should all e-mail Google. The GiantAwesomeMachine of the internet should be able to make something similar to Paypal and beat it into the ground.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=605533

Who's with me?

They already have something similar called Google Checkout, but it's not available to many merchants in different countries.

yilduz · 08-25-2009, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by PolurNET

They already have something similar called Google Checkout, but it's not available to many merchants in different countries.

Oh yeah... I do remember that now.
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=605533

I fail.

**-Nick-** · 08-25-2009, 10:48 PM

I never withdraw instantly. Let it be in there for 2 or 3 days.

That way you don't raise flags on your account.

I get loads of payments for links and stuff. Never had any problems whatsoever till today.

SJM211 · 08-26-2009, 08:34 AM

I got my old business account (from with I'd sent and received many tens of thousands of dollars and made PayPal quite a nice sum) closed for selling links on a directory which had a gambling category. I found this a bit hard to swallow as I have a UK account and online gambling here is perfectly legal. In fact betfair.com (a big sports betting/casino site) use PayPal as one of their payment processors.

As soon as I was told that this was not acceptable to them I switched payment processor on the directory and contacted customer services to explain/apologise and get my account reinstated. It was like talking to a brick wall - the people I spoke to had no idea what they were talking about and treated me like some kind of criminal/scam artist. They then held all the money in my account for six months, at which point they closed the account and refunded me. As I remember it worked out quite well for me in the end as most of the balance was in USD and when my account was limited the exchange rate was ~2 USD to 1 GBP, however when PayPal converted the money and paid it into my bank account the exchange rate was around 1.5 USD to 1 GBP meaning that I got a much better return over six months than I would have got if I had withdrawn the money six months previous and put it in the bank, so thanks PayPal

HeyGeek · 08-26-2009, 10:58 AM

I process 250k+/year through PayPal and have no complaints with their customer service, I actually had to call them today and as usual they were more then helpful. I think there may be two levels of customer service, I think smaller/personal accounts get pushed to outsourced overseas customer service and long wait times, I always call their 800 number and talk to someone within 3 minutes or so, and they always know exactly what is going on.

Sorry it hasn't worked out too well for you...

Emily Yee · 08-27-2009, 06:08 AM

I have once got limited for no reason, so they asked me to change password, security questions, re-verify my address & id. I did it in 2 hours and got them restored in 5 hours. Try to issue an invoice to your customers will help?

riks.rocks · 08-29-2009, 12:55 AM

Sry to hear about this dude..

08-24-2009, 01:49 PM	THREAD STARTER #1 (permalink)
Autoblog Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 45	PayPal - The worst customer non-service I have ever experienced Hi Everyone. I would just like to share the latest experience from the latest victim of paypigs long line of disgruntled customers. Earlier today I transacted a deal on DNForum.com, placing a few links on some of my sites for another member. He paid me via paypal as per a normal transaction. A few hours later, I login to my paypal account to transfer the money to my bank, only to find my account has become "limited" and all access to MY money has been denied. After an hour of searching to try uncover paypal's contact phone number (as I know they virtually never give any decent response to emails), I found it hidden in a remote part of the site (wonder why they feel they must hide it ey?). A 30 minute call to a premium rated number revealed them basically telling me to "get screwed, as they own my money". After explaining to them what the payment was for (SEO purposes, ie link building), they instructed me to send them invoices proving that "I own the links that I sold". Have you ever heard anything so rediculous? I attempted again and again to explain to these arrogant and completely ignorant customer non-service representatives that there were no invoices, and explained to them what link building means and exactly how the agreement for the service was done, they had this to say: "we reserve every right to freeze your account and hold any amount of money contained within for any amount of time, or indefinitely. You agreed to this when you accepted our terms of service. We will only release the hold on your account once you have provided us with the requested invoices proving ownership of the links sold". I then proceeded to ask them if getting the buyer to contact them and confirm the purchase and that the service was rendered as aggreed would be proof enough to release MY money. There reply will make you realise 100% why they have so many 1000's of furious customers. They replied the following: "Will the buyers voice resemble an invoice in your opinion? Or would you like to use the held funds to purchase a hearing aid so that you can actually listen to what I have told you? Your funds will remain held and your account limited until you provide us with the required physical invoices. Once received, we will review your account and make a decision as to releasing your funds. Our policies are in place to prevent fraudulent transactions like this one taking place, and to make paypal a more secure network". Basically they are not only thieves, but then they want to tell me that I AM COMMITTING FRAUD??? If there is any fraud going on, it is within the ranks of paypal (surely this type of practice MUST be illegal?). I have had my paypal account fully verified, and have used it to make and receive payments for the past 6 YEARS, without a single dispute or chargeback. I have never been spoken to like that as a customer before, and as I am sure everyone will understand, I was furious for the way I was being treated. I told the paypig customer non-service representative to put me through to his superior, and guess how his reply went? You guessed it, rude once again. He said: "You have no right to demand to speak to anyone here. I am dealing with the problem as I have been trained to do. We do not tolerate abuse to our staff as you are giving me right now from fraudulent user's of our system. We have every right to hold your money until you prove that this is a legitimate transaction". So according to that, paypal train their staff to be as rude as they possibly can to their customers? And also, any customer (even with a long, clean history with them) is guilty until proven innocent? Even murderers are innocent until PROVEN GUILTY, not the other way around. ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/warnings-and-alerts/605533-paypal-worst-customer-non-service-i.html ????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=605533 Luckily, I was still able to use the refund option to return the money to the DNF member who made the payment, who has agreed to repay me, but I am now down another £380 which was in my paypal account. Surely this type of action is against the feeral banking codes of each district paypal operates in? If anyone knows a way that this can be dealt with, so that I can recover my money, please let me know as any help would be greatly appreciated. Like many before me (and i am sure many after me), I have had to learn the hard way that paypal in no way look out for their customer's.

08-25-2009, 01:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
FreshAvails.com Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: DC Suburbs Posts: 2,055 Follow @FreshAvails	paypal is not a bank and not required to follow any of the banking regulations. __________________ FREE Available Domain Lists FreshAvails.com. Check out our Sneak Peek Program. Go to DomainVictor.com for the best domains for sale on the Web!

08-25-2009, 01:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Corey* Business Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 4,214	I never had a problem with them...the customer service when I rang was A1 and they sorted out any problems I had ASAP. Cheers Corey __________________ ☆ Occupy.TV website/domain name for sale!

08-25-2009, 06:09 PM	#7 (permalink)
yilduz Your face is regfee! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,069 Follow @yilduz	Maybe we should all e-mail Google. The GiantAwesomeMachine of the internet should be able to make something similar to Paypal and beat it into the ground. Who's with me? __________________ Looking for fantasy hockey owners to begin the new season on ESPN. Deep league with lots of owners and a very high % of keepers (dynasty league). Looking for active owners because this league will continue year after year. My homepage \| I miss my dog - Athena

08-25-2009, 10:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
-Nick- I'll do it Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: India Posts: 6,939 Follow @keralpatel	I never withdraw instantly. Let it be in there for 2 or 3 days. That way you don't raise flags on your account. I get loads of payments for links and stuff. Never had any problems whatsoever till today. __________________ Delq\|Fhur\|Kegh\|Vhir\|Juhy\|Ruuz\|Jyos\|Jupt\|Vhek Webmaster Blog \| Software Downloads Makeup & Beauty Tips \| Sponsor Ads

08-24-2009, 06:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
FitLike? Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Beat It Posts: 466	I'd find out the representatives name, hunt him down and kick his arse. He has no right to talk to anyone that way.

08-24-2009, 07:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Domainace Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 1,879	Paypal will someday be knocked on its ass by a massive class-action suit, and possibly criminal penalties. In the meantime, they can keep hiring employees from the local carwash to abuse their customers.

08-25-2009, 01:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
happyhappy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: In a box Posts: 1,184 Follow @rhodemang	Sorry to hear about your bad experience. My mother called them today to get her account reactivated and it was smooth no issues what so ever... below you will find a whole list of numbers for paypal. PayPal Phone Numbers

08-26-2009, 08:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
SJM211 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Haven, CT Posts: 1,721 Follow @domainingin	I got my old business account (from with I'd sent and received many tens of thousands of dollars and made PayPal quite a nice sum) closed for selling links on a directory which had a gambling category. I found this a bit hard to swallow as I have a UK account and online gambling here is perfectly legal. In fact betfair.com (a big sports betting/casino site) use PayPal as one of their payment processors. As soon as I was told that this was not acceptable to them I switched payment processor on the directory and contacted customer services to explain/apologise and get my account reinstated. It was like talking to a brick wall - the people I spoke to had no idea what they were talking about and treated me like some kind of criminal/scam artist. They then held all the money in my account for six months, at which point they closed the account and refunded me. As I remember it worked out quite well for me in the end as most of the balance was in USD and when my account was limited the exchange rate was ~2 USD to 1 GBP, however when PayPal converted the money and paid it into my bank account the exchange rate was around 1.5 USD to 1 GBP meaning that I got a much better return over six months than I would have got if I had withdrawn the money six months previous and put it in the bank, so thanks PayPal __________________ gummi.com - frenzied.com Domains for sale dugi.com - haww.com nebraska.info - wyoming.info - eritrea.info - gyrate.com - badger.info - wally.info

08-26-2009, 10:58 AM	#12 (permalink)
HeyGeek NamePros Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 348	I process 250k+/year through PayPal and have no complaints with their customer service, I actually had to call them today and as usual they were more then helpful. I think there may be two levels of customer service, I think smaller/personal accounts get pushed to outsourced overseas customer service and long wait times, I always call their 800 number and talk to someone within 3 minutes or so, and they always know exactly what is going on. Sorry it hasn't worked out too well for you... __________________ Start a Logo Design Contest at HatchWise today! \| Logo Design Company Reviews \| Custom Logo Design

08-27-2009, 06:08 AM	#13 (permalink)
Emily Yee NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 25	I have once got limited for no reason, so they asked me to change password, security questions, re-verify my address & id. I did it in 2 hours and got them restored in 5 hours. Try to issue an invoice to your customers will help?

08-29-2009, 12:55 AM	#14 (permalink)
riks.rocks NamePros Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 108	Sry to hear about this dude..

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