Why the hold up?

[wcaw1786]

So I have been a member of ebay for a number of years now. I usually buy, but I have sold a number of Items over the years as well. I have a 100% rating, never had a complaint. So this week, I sold a couple of items and shipped them promptly as usual. They are both domestic, standard USPS. Today is the 10th of January. So the items have already been paid for but, looking at the dates here, Im seeing the funds for one item are on hold until the 25th and the money for the other item is on hold until the 8th of next month. Im not understanding why. Now I know some business's will hold onto money as long as possible to keep in high interest accounts until new money comes into take its place as to maintain a certain balance yielding the high interest but, were talking about days. This is ebay. And they're holding onto it for 2 WEEKS on one item AND A MONTH on the other?!?! Whats the deal? They've held onto my money before but, that was just for a couple days. This is ridiculous. There has to be some type of legality or regulatory body that calls them on this. Its not right.  Had I known this, I would have sold these things somewhere else, because this is really going to screw me up. I have a  bill I need to pay, that isnt going to get paid on time now, which in turn is going to trigger this whole domino effect. Its the reason I sold the items. THEY NEED TO TELL PEOPLE BEFORE HAND IF THEY INTEND ON HOLDING YOUR MONEY FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME!!!

[laperlalady · Accepted solution]

All “new” sellers will have their funds held for a period of time. 

I am on a phone so I can not attach a link. But, I think if you haven’t sold recently, you are considered a “new” seller. 

[mam98031]

@wcaw1786 

Ebay has had a rule for many years that pertains to New Seller and sellers that have been away from selling for 90+ days. The following is the policy that outlines why you money is likely on hold.

https://export.ebay.com/en/fees-and-payments/payments/payment-holds/

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold/payments-hold?id=4816&&...

[femmefan1946]

Until you've been selling for 90 days and sold 25 items your payments will be held until tracking shows delivered, or in 30 days if there's no tracking. They can hold the payment for the full 30 days if you're selling in a high risk category. 

If you take a break from listing (not selling, listing) you return to "new or occasional seller" status and the above policy applies.

Basically, eBay assumes that new and occasional sellers will make more mistakes than consistent sellers, and that they are also more likely to be targetted by scammers.  But mostly the policy is a Buyer Protection that also "just happens" to protect eBay as well.

[wcaw1786]

But Ive sold Items on ebay before. Never had a MONTH long delay. I changed my contact information one time and it was held up for 72 hours. How come one item I currently have is on hold for two weeks, while the other is on hold for a month?! Explain that one.  Again, how come, ALL OF A SUDDEN they are doing this to me. makes me NOT want to do business here. The opposite effect. How can one maintain with ebay gripping your money, on top of getting their fee. Im NOT a new seller. Sold items for equal and greater amounts before and my money was held for a few DAYS. If they dont want to be consistant, why would I want to do business here? Im looking for a reason that makes sense here. I dont want to go elsewhere but, what am i supposed to do now? Im in a very bad spot now because of this. Im basically screwed.

[mam98031]

I would encourage you to read the post I made earlier.  You have been away from selling for over 90 days and that is why Ebay might hold your funds until you meet the requirements in the policies I gave you a link to.

I know for you it is an annoying rule at best.  But it really is a good rule as your account could have been compromised while you were away or many other things that aren't good.  This is a way to protect buyers and the site.  It is a Security feature.  It is short lived and once you have met the requirements it won't happen again unless you continue to take 90+ days away from selling.

[monica-sells]

It is the current climate of online sales. Until you are established, vetted and can prove you are who you are and you are selling stuff you own, you will be subjected to the "process" ....also, if you live in a $600.00 threshold state, you qualify for a 1099-K, so ebay (and any other online platform) will require indisputable proof with Tax ID numbers, etc......

[mam98031]

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@monica-sells wrote:

It is the current climate of online sales. Until you are established, vetted and can prove you are who you are and you are selling stuff you own, you will be subjected to the "process" ....also, if you live in a $600.00 threshold state, you qualify for a 1099-K, so ebay (and any other online platform) will require indisputable proof with Tax ID numbers, etc......

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I would disagree.  This isn't a new policy for Ebay.  They have had it for many years as I previously stated.  It also has NOTHING to do with the1099K, that is a completely separate issue.

In an earlier posts I gave links to the policies if you'd like to take a peek.

[wcaw1786]

I get that. But ive sold items of equal and greater value in the past and my money was held for DAYS, not weeks. Now, all of a sudden, they do this. And the last two items I sold, were sold on the same day, at almost the exact same time. But for one item, the funds are on hold for two weeks and the for the second item, funds are on hold for a month. Why the difference?...I have a feeling why I think they are doing it, and they wrote policy to cover the reason. I mean if you or I did what I think is going on, its a federal crime. Right along the same lines of banks being nothing more than a federally insured ponzi scheme that you or I would end up in prison for doing the EXACT same thing. Not that Ebay is acting like that but, its a similar situation. I understand the need for protection on all sides but, the inconsistency on those two items sold on the same day at the same time really raises a HUGE red flag .

[tobaccocardyahoo]

I find myself posting the same information whenever a seller starts a thread with "I have a 100% rating".

Your feedback rating is meaningless for evaluating you as a seller, especially for reasons of trust and safety.

Every year that passes, trust and safety requirements for sellers on internet marketplaces increase.

Limits and holds are now commonplace, not only on Ebay. As well as new sellers, infrequent sellers see holds and limits. Sellers whose sales do not meet their historical patterns are subject to holds.

No human intervention is required to hold your payments, an automated algorithm makes the decisions. No human intervention releases your payments either.  Whatever estimate you may have been provided with, roughly 30 days will be the delay.

Ebay is minimizing the risk it is taking on sellers, since its Money Back Guarantee assures the buyer gets their moneyback even if the seller has evaporated/

If you want quick cash, you will have to do business in person, and get paid in cash. Internet marketplaces are more sensitive to scammers and thieves selling stolen goods than in the past, and so is law enforcement.

[luckythewinner]

There has to be some type of legality or regulatory body that calls them on this

I am confident that eBay has a legal team that investigated and reviewed the legality of something as important as their hold policy before it was put in place. 

THEY NEED TO TELL PEOPLE BEFORE HAND IF THEY INTEND ON HOLDING YOUR MONEY FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME!

eBay has an entire page explaining the hold policy. Nowhere on that page does it ever suggest that they will tell people beforehand whether a hold will be placed. 

[kensgiftshop]

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@wcaw1786 wrote:

I get that. But ive sold items of equal and greater value in the past and my money was held for DAYS, not weeks. Now, all of a sudden, they do this. And the last two items I sold, were sold on the same day, at almost the exact same time. But for one item, the funds are on hold for two weeks and the for the second item, funds are on hold for a month. Why the difference?...I have a feeling why I think they are doing it, and they wrote policy to cover the reason. I mean if you or I did what I think is going on, its a federal crime. Right along the same lines of banks being nothing more than a federally insured ponzi scheme that you or I would end up in prison for doing the EXACT same thing. Not that Ebay is acting like that but, its a similar situation. I understand the need for protection on all sides but, the inconsistency on those two items sold on the same day at the same time really raises a HUGE red flag .

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Funds for the welder will be held for 30 days because it sold for more then $1000.

They started doing that a few years ago.

[wcaw1786]

I sold a $1000 football card last year and it only took 5 days. Just sayin

[wcaw1786]

Its the inconsistency that has me wondering. Last year, it only took a few days on every item I sold. Some of equal and greater value.  I dont understand how I am a "new" seller. Does it restart every year or something?

I sold two items on the same day. One has the funds held for two weeks, and the second for one month. Never had this issue before. Thats what I dont understand. I have a 100% rating with no complaints. Now, all of a sudden they are doing this.

[stacy_pme]

Also, if for some reason your bank info isn't up to date, or verified, they will hold until you get your ducks in a row.  Recently they forced me to redo my banking information as a refresh process... and it took a bit to get that info for them from the bank (recent statement, etc), and my money was on hold until that was completed.  If you don't know why your money is on hold, contact customer service, and find out!