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March 14, 2008

Technology

PayPal redeemed?

Posted by Hannah Clark Steiman at 2:20 PM

My blog entry on PayPal a few days ago garnered a lot of comments, many of them from readers who have also been frustrated by PayPal. I'm happy to report that my withdrawal from my PayPal account was successfully processed, and the money is now in my bank account. Or rather, it has already left my bank account to pay my student loan bill.

I also got a call from a very nice man at PayPal, who helped explain what happened. Apparently the second time my account was frozen was a mistake -- basically, the security breach happened on Sunday; I unfroze the account on Monday. It sounds like someone then went to restrict my account again, not realizing that it had already been frozen and unfrozen. And he explained why PayPal has to be more cautious about security than regular banks. All in all, it helped redeem PayPal somewhat, but as you can see from the comments in my previous post, the company clearly still has a long way to go.

A big part of the problem: the customer service reps don't seem to know anything. They couldn't explain to me what happened or why, and they seemed totally dismiss my concerns.

5 Comments

Posted by: Mark Wade at March 17, 2008 8:49 AM

Many believe that PayPal/eBay will explain that something was an innocent mistake, when it actually was something intentional and they were caught.

Posted by: Steve at March 17, 2008 9:39 AM

I wonder if they would have bothered to call you at all had you not published an article about this. I have never heard of them calling anyone. If that is the case, it is sad that one has to publish an article in a noteworthy publication to get a problem addressed.

What I have experienced with Ebay and PayPal is that their customer service representatives are like robots with a scripted message and they are rarely helpful.

Posted by: Lisa at March 17, 2008 2:15 PM

I hope you realize you got special treatment once paypal realized you had posted a blog. Once they get caught doing something, they'll back down, but the average Joe does not get the service or respect that you got the second time around.

That 'really nice man' at Paypal? He's the only one they have on staff. He spends his days calling vocal people who publish blogs and get mentioned on Auctionbytes. ;)

Posted by: Wally Bock at March 17, 2008 2:37 PM

It seems that when someone posts a blog about lousy service, there's a sort of piling on effect. That's why I want to share that my experience with PayPal has been quite different that what's been reported here.

I use the service for my business which has nothing to do with auctions. I've also used it as a quick way to transfer funds to then-younger children who needed cash. I've had an account for a few years now. In that time I've had a couple of problems and a few incidents when I needed something explained. Every time I've contacted PayPal I've gotten prompt, courteous and helpful service.

Posted by: CITIZEN-A at March 17, 2008 2:46 PM

to all PAYPAL memebers:
I highly - extrememly urge all paypal members who have had their monies held BY PAYPAL FOR ANY REASON AT ALL-EVEN IF THERE IS NO REASON FOR THEM TO HOLD IT .. --- PLEASE ... PLEASE - GO TO YOUR LOCAL COUNCILMAN, CONGRESSMAN.. ETC... AND TELL THEM WHAT IS GOING ON...

AND YOU WISH TO HAVE PAYPAL INVESTIGATED BY THE FEDERAL GOV'T. PAYPAL IS USING YOUR MONEY AS A FLOAT... TO PLAY WITH - TO BALANCE THIER OTHER INVESTMENTS- SCHEMES... ETC...

ALSO - CONTINUE TO TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT HAS A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.. TO DO THE SAME.....
A FEDERAL INESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE DONE.... SO PUT YOUR LOCAL COUNCILMAN AND CONGRESSMAN TO WORK...

AND LET THEM KNOW THAT YOU AND MANY OTHERS WILL BE GOING TO THE MEDIA WITH THIS MATTER SHORTLY- AND THAT YOU'D LIKE TO KNOW THAT THEY (YOUR COUNCILMAN & CONGRESSMAN)

IS AVAILABLE WHEN THIS BECOMES NATIONAL...
I CAN PROMISE YOU - YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE... MASSES OF PEOPLE ARE DOING JUST WHAT I SUGGEST... SOME WERE GIVEN THE "BRUSH OFF"... BUT PERSISTED- AND WOULD ADN WILL NOT BE BRUSHED OFF.
MAKE YOUR CONGRESS PERSON DO THEIR JOB... YOU'RE PAYING THEIR SALARY... CALL FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF PAYPAL!!!! AND FOLLOW IT UP TO MAKE SURE IT ISN'T PUT ON THE BACK BURNER...

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