Funds on hold

[as-aviation]

Has anyone else had there funds put on hold without a proper reason? 

I’ve been a member since 2007 and started actively selling since 2018 and started a store.

Around March this year eBay started putting my funds on hold. I can’t even tell you how many times I have spoken to them via their online chat and even requested a call back. They keep referring me to their seller agreement which I don’t fall under any of their categories. 
one representative stated I’m a new seller after moments prior saying “I see you opened your account 18 years ago, what an achievement “. Another said I am an above average seller especially after selling over 300k worth of parts in the past few years and said it is temporary, another said that every single seller has their funds on hold under their new agreement and I’m not the only one targeted, yet friends of mine don’t have a problem. I have 100% positive feedback, make instant sales, am not a new seller. I don’t understand. I recently said I want to delete my account, but they said it’s not possible until all items are delivered, didn’t even attempt to keep me onboard. I’ve asked numerous times to speak to an Australian representative and I get the “that’s not possible at the moment” reply and get transferred to a different department. One time recently I had a call back and it was an overseas call with terrible reception. I’m at a loss, and was wondering if anyone is going through the same thing?

[gutterpunkz05]

Hi there,  being a member and selling for 18yrs, is irrelevant.

A couple of things jump out when looking at your items and sales.

1   your sales are listed in  $US

2  your items show international postage, supposedly from NSW - QLD

3  FB shows you had to cancel a $1600 sale because you did not receive the item

From your post   ( They keep referring me to their seller agreement which I don’t fall under any of their categories. )

More info required!!!  probably by ebay also.

NOTE:   The hold on funds can be due to internal ebay/adyen matters, however it can also be  at the demand of numerous external agencies, in which case it can be illegal for ebay to provide you any information.

[as-aviation]

Cheers for your reply. 
That’s is correct, in the aviation world 90% of aviation parts and accessories including surplus items are listed in USD no matter what platform you sell on. Most aviation parts distributors list on eBay US rather than the Australian eBay site and cop the conversion fee because it targets the US customers which 80% of my customers are. Shipping is from NSW as that’s where the hangar is located and where we ship from. 
Never had a problem with it before, didn’t know it was frowned upon to do so.

that is correct, a order was cancelled as that specific item was drop shipped via myself and the customer knew it, and once the item was “lost by Aus post” I refunded my customer while I sorted out the coverage claim, wouldn’t be fair for me to hold onto the money while I wait and hear back from Aus post. The buyer has since purchased more items from me. Plus the feedback was still positive.

I don’t see why that is enough grounds to hold all upcoming payments for months on end while being told “you are an above average seller” especially when they make a motza off my selling fees. 

An external agency? Care to elaborate on this some more, I’m intrigued. 

At this point it’ll probably be best to pull all my listings as I keep selling items and it prolongs the time for me to be able to cancel my account, I’d be happy with an explanation but I can’t even get that from them. 

[*casey*]

"Around March this year eBay started putting my funds on hold"

Did the buyer of the $1600  sale  AND / OR the buyer who  left you 3 feedback saying 'thanks for  refund", 

file disputes through eBay's Money Back Guarantee ?

That's the kind of  thing   that  may  trigger a hold on funds,  even though you refunded the buyers.

[gutterpunkz05]

There are numerous external agencies, that can direct ebay to with hold funds,  They can also direct ebay to suspend or  terminate an account at any time.  It is the reason managed payments was introduced and can also be  triggered by associates, family etc.

Now think, international or domestic tax evasion, which will include attempts to circumvent  tarrifs, money laundering, world trade embargos, bankrupt undeclared income etc,  etc etc etc.

You do not explain why  I would be required to pay international shipping for shipping to QLD from  NSW, not a monetary conversion, it is stated as international shipping, with comparative costs and  a 15 day handling time might lead ebay to believe items are being drop shipped.  

At this point it’ll probably be best to pull all my listings as I keep selling items and it prolongs the time for me to be able to cancel my account, I’d be happy with an explanation but I can’t even get that from them.

Thats what I would be doing, until the holds are lifted.  I think you have to wait 6 months from your last sale before you can close your account.  In cases where funds are not released, they are eventually sent to  ASIC

[as-aviation]

Not at all, they are all good customers. The three items refunded where because the customer ordered parts but they didn’t fit his aircraft, so I refunded him and he was ecstatic that they weren’t sent out yet, he’s actually my best customer. 

The other is a good customer too, he purchases all my avionics, both leave great feedback and have since purchased from me from other platforms. 

so it has me scratching me head. I honestly don’t understand what could have prompted the holds and the best answer I have received is that it’s their new policy that they hold everyone’s funds, that’s the only reason I thought I would ask on the community page

[as-aviation]

I’m going to sound completely simple right now and say I whole heartedly didn’t understand that first paragraph. You can have a laugh at my expense now haha 

I’m not sure on the NSW to QLD thing, I don’t believe I’ve sent anything to QLD for years. All my items are shipped from here in NSW to the purchaser direct. Usually the US, and a customs declaration with a tariff is always filled out with the invoice affixed to the side of the packaging.

I don’t mind if they say this is only a temporary thing, and can give me a time frame. I’ll licence with that. But I’ve had so many different things from different customer service representatives that it is draining. Just this month I’ve had items send to Portugal, Mexico, and the US and I’ve had to fork out the funds for shipping, then wait while they sit in customs overseas (apart from the US) the items shipped to Portugal are coming up one month and they have been sitting in customs for 3 weeks, so I’m out of pocket for shipping, I don’t have the items if someone else local wanted to purchase them, and it’s just a waiting game. 

again, I appologise for my ignorance, you’re trying to explain things in detail to the best of your ability and here I am fixed on why out of nowhere my funds are on hold with no explanation. Wish they just said, this is what we found wrong, and this is the time frame your funds will be on hold. 

[padi*0409]

There's 2 things that the bots might be picking up to cause the holds I think.

Firstly you mention "Standard International Shipping" and secondly you state the the items will be posted "usually within 30 days of receiving payment".

Add to that that the prices are shown in US dollars.

     

[as-aviation]

That’s actually helpful, but wouldn’t know how to change it because I list everything on US EBay 

I'm guessing eBay have lied when I was told everyone is currently going through the same funds on hold issue due to their new seller terms and conditions

[gutterpunkz05]

You honestly can't figure out what kind of third parties can legally tell ebay what to do with a members account and funds.

Even if you took a break from selling and restarted in April, your funds should be well and truly flowing freely by now, for new infrequent sellers holds typically last for up to 30 days but can be extended for up to six months and possibly longer. 

And unless there is something seriously wrong with your account, then holds should not still be applied , and funds should be released according to your chosen schedule as soon as  payments to ebay have been cleared.

For the amount of funds you would appear to have on hold, I would recommend  withdrawing all items from sale, until the matter is resolved.

You may also like to research how association, perceived or real can lead to account restrictions or terminations.

No not all accounts are affected by held funds, but they can be at anytime, and account restrictions and terminations are common.