04-07-2006

PayPal: Can’t Live Without Them & It’s Hard To Live With Them

Over the years I have heard horror stories about PayPal limiting & out-right closing account. I never thought much about though. After all, everything I sold was in compliance with the AUP - so I thought.

About two weeks ago, I login my PayPal account to find the message…

“Your account has been limited. See the resolution area for details.”

So, I look and see that it only says that I violated the AUP and that the decision is final and my account can not be reopened.

Not being a person to take that for an answer, I call PayPal. The first person tells me it’s over an ebook that tells about MLM. However, this wasn’t being sold with my PayPal account. It uses ClickBank. She then starts looking further and points out other items. And once again, I point out that ClickBank sells the items.

Finally after getting transfered 4 times, I get someone from the compliance department. This person then tells me that my JustResaleRights.com site violates the AUP because it’s “Get Rich Quick.”

At this point, I read the AUP to her verbatim and ask *how* it does because it does not meet *any* of the requirements they use to determine if it’s “Get Rich Quick.” She simply tells me that it does and nothing can or will be done about my account. Of course I won’t take this as a answer and ask to speak to her supervisor. She tells me no and then after a few words, she hangs up on me. Yes, she actually hung up.

Well, the next day I email PayPal TWICE and each time I receive an email that states the decision is final. At this point, I call PayPal again. As each person got on the phone, I asked for a manager then finally I asked to speak with someone in Executive Escalations. The supervisor acted like that wasn’t possible but after I gave a few employee names, she got someone on the phone. This person was very helpful and told me exactly what to do. Of course it could be that I mentioned a law suit as soon as he got on the phone.

About two hours later, I get an email from PayPal letting me know that my account closure was a mistake & that it had been reinstated.

I was lucky but I know of other people who haven’t been as lucky. A fellow marketing friend, had is site closed simply because it had the word “downline” in the title.

Another marketer had his limited simply because he made to much money. He even emailed PayPal letting them know he was about to do a promotion and would have a surge of sales.

The main problem is PayPals AUP is open to interpretation and they obviously don’t train their employees well enough. PayPal should do like most companies, email you asking for more details and give 24 hours to respond. Then make the decision.

The moral of my story is…

Don’t take “final” as an answer and always have a backup plan ready to go.

Garrie

Posted by Garrie in General

One Response to “PayPal: Can’t Live Without Them & It’s Hard To Live With Them”
  1. S. Kumar Says:

    Hi Garrie,

    Your experience makes me wonder what
    if the same thing happened to someone
    outside USA!

    The thought sends shivers through me as
    I am based in India.

    Courteously — S. Kumar
    www.learnhomebusiness.com

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