eBay is withholding $5000 from me and won't give me a reason why

[bootchas]

I've been an eBay seller for 7 years now, with no issues. I recently sold an Apple laptop worth over $5000 (buyer received item and rated me very positively - "Literally perfect. As described. Fast shipping! AAA+++"), and eBay flagged my account with a temporary restriction and asked for more information. I uploaded multiple versions of the documents they asked for, two separate times, and was then placed on an indefinite selling restriction that I'm told I can't reverse. I've had no previous eBay issues, and the documents I uploaded to verify identity and address are the same documents that I just used less than 30 days ago to move into a new apartment, and to start a new job. 

I've called eBay customer service almost every day for the past two weeks, and I've been told 3 separate times that I would receive a callback from a supervisor - no callback. They've given me no understanding as to why the documents I've provided were good enough for my state-compliant apartment complex and my publicly traded company, but not good enough for their verification process. Will not point to anything specific, and they keep being very vague and disconnecting from me when I ask further questions. I reached out to the Facebook help page and was told that they can't give me more information because giving it would "give others a way to get around the process". My money has been on hold for 50 days.

I've posted on the eBay forums previously and was basically told that I haven't sold enough over the past 7 years and that's why it got flagged, which seems like a ridiculous reason to hold a significant amount of money and close my account.

I'm posting again for some sort of visibility - to see if anyone has been through a similar issue, and to see if anyone has tips on how to get it resolved. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[lasantino]

Try ebay facebook group.   in the  past, posting there resulted in attention from the right people.

[bootchas]

I'll try, thanks!

[piggysplace]

Report them to your state attorney general. Then double check all your banking info with what you provided ebay and what is on you company records filings etc.

Ebay can't or won't verify my corporate bank account so I can't sell. I have 2 stage authentication for online banking, and their computers can't get past it, and my bank won't budge on the authentication.  They can deposit, but not withdraw without it.  Oh well, there are other places to sell.

[dbfolks166mt]

     Call in customer support for eBay is basically useless these days and since the Facebook connection is also useless I would look at other options. Filing a case with the Better Business Bureau may get some resolution as the suggestion by piggysplace to contact your states AG or you could try the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/ 

For that kind of money I would consider talking to a lawyer if you cannot get action from another resource. 

[fab_finds4u]

Besides this laptop you haven't  sold in more than a year and at that time were you in managed payments or not?

A long absence from selling and then suddenly listing a $5k item raised all kinds of red flags with eBay.

If you were or not in managed payments you needed to update your automatic payment method and add a checking account for seller fees before you listed that expensive item. A temporary selling restriction turning into an indefinite one means forever,   but they should have still released your funds 1-3 days after signature delivery shows delivered or by 30 days at the most.

If eBay doesn't put this money in your checking account eventually it will go to escheatment where it is sent to your state's unclaimed funds where you will have to retrieve them there.

[bootchas]

I have been enrolled in managed payments. And I understand that it raises flags, but it still gives them no reason to continue to hold my funds after I've given them the necessary verification documents, and then not tell me why I failed verification.

[coolections]

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@piggysplace wrote:

Report them to your state attorney general. 

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Complete waste of time. Do not do that. Just go to the Ebay Facebook page and ask there. Usually from what I've read someone can put you in the right direction.

[stedy_4]

Salutations.
     I bet you have but did you use the “Check payment holds” tool? Based on everything you wrote and their policies, term’s and agreements (p.t.a.) (which I just read through), I am going to guess it’s either because of the amount of money, it says in the p.t.a. that higher priced merchandise might be subject to a hold, in case the buyer has found a reason to have it returned after getting to use the item and fully check it out. Basically, they don’t want to deal with telling the seller that the buyer needs to be refunded and then have the seller say they spent it and don’t have that amount currently. If that’s not the reason for the hold, which I have a feeling it is, then the other possibility is that they can’t validate your Form W-9 for tax returns. I’m sure you’re aware but they state that 30 days is typically the longest hold-time. I’d email them and state the number of days it’s been, state that the lack of communication is unacceptable and then give them a deadline of when you want a response, followed with this sentence, “If I do not receive a reply by the date I’ve stated, then I’ll be seeking 3rd party assistance to start the legal process.”  …. It’s probably unnecessary but if the roles were reversed you can bet they would be covering their ass and doing the same thing. Either way, that length of time is not acceptable and even more so with no explanation! When you’re paying taxes, that’s now considered employment and the laws that protect “essentially” the employee, because they have the responsibility to get the money to you and the ability to hold it from you, those laws should all be active and you should probably go through them, just to see what resources you have if needed. 

            Take care. Sincerely, 

                                       Steven Dyer. 

[bootchas]

This is helpful, thank you Steven!

When I go to "Check payment holds," I get: "We need you to provide some additional information before we can process your payouts." Which I've already done twice and they'll no longer accept more information or respond to me. 

I don't believe the buyer has had any issues with the item, as I have only received the extremely positive feedback and no other messages about it.

I've called them this morning and mentioned that response and they told me that my money will be released within 60-72 days, so I've documented the case number and the name of the person who told me so I can call at the 60 day mark and reference. They still have not given me any deeper understand as to why it's been put on hold, however, or as to why my account was restricted. Hoping this will be resolved by then, and I absolutely will be getting legal assistance if not. Thank you again for the advice!

[janet9988]

I have seen a post here where contacting the BBB has helped resolve issues also.

[donsdetour]

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@bootchas wrote:

I have been enrolled in managed payments. And I understand that it raises flags, but it still gives them no reason to continue to hold my funds after I've given them the necessary verification documents, and then not tell me why I failed verification.

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Hmm so this is a payment problem that is causing your funds held??

Or is this a transaction hold: eBay do that also.

If payment system fail, when contacting eBay ask for a payment specialist.