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PayPal just blocked my account for using F&F

I used to be steadfast in refusing to use F&F because it is less secure, but also because it cheats PP out of their fees. However, so many people are just as steadfast in their refusal to use regular PP that I finally gave up and started to do it. Now PP has flagged my account and locked it until I explain why I am using it.

It looks like the days of circumventing their fees by using F&F may be coming to a close.

Wondering what's the best alternative. They own Venmo now so that free option will probably go away. I have Zelle but the limit is so low it is impractical. I actually prefer ACH transfers, but so many people are paranoid about giving you their checking account info it is a struggle. BTW, the only info you have to give is what is printed on the face of every check you have ever written, but for some reason, a lot of people freak out when you ask them for it.

herman
glenmschneider
99 posts
 

My biggest issue with PP as a seller is their transaction limit. I get monthly messages for no obvious reason at all that my limit has gone up or down. One day it’s 1000 and the next day it could be 14k. Last thing I sold for 3000 not F&F they gave me 1500 immediately and withheld the other 1500. I added the tracking number in USM and directly in PP and followed all their directions to get the remaining cash and a week later they released it.

 

two years ago a buyer paid me twice by accident for a pair of speakers. We were both on the the phone with PayPal trying to get him his money refunded but their only easy solution was for me to pay him the money, for which they were going to take a cut out of. This took a month and a lot of phone calls  to get worked out.

i wish there was a better model.

skippytate
44 posts
 

@faustuss  For PayPal, "F&F" means Friends & Family. It's so your friends and family don't have to pay any extra fees. They figure you're giving your son or daughter some money and they don't have to worry about you disputing the transaction. 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,719 posts
 

 @faustuss 

I for the life of me figure can’t out what F&F is. Why is it everyone has to use acronyms? Anyway, I never use Pay Pal, instead I use my Credit Cards for online purchases. I don’t incur fees, I pay off my balances before the end of the month, so I don’t pay interest and I have their consumer protection services if I need them. Simple.

F&F = Friends and Family

Your idea of using a CC for online purchases would only be practical if buying from a business. So since Audiogon is pretty much a harbor for dealers these days, you would be ok there. But most people on US Audio Mart are NOT retail business owners and have no means to accept your CC. So you would be SOL in that situation. So it’s not quite as "simple" as you make it out to be.

zlone
1,359 posts
 

It is not entirely correct that sellers want to use PayPal F&F only to avoid fees and taxes. As a seller I am more worried that I will have an unscrupulous buyer who pays, receives the merchandise and then raises a dispute with PayPal. This leaves PayPal with the funds and the buyer with the merchandise, and me at the mercy of PayPal arbitration. I’m not a business, just a guy selling gear that works hard to maintain a good reputation in the marketplace so that people can buy with confidence.  

larsman's avatar
larsman
3,165 posts
 

Quite often when I buy something, I have to take the PayPal option as that's what is offered, but once in PayPal, I can go right to my bank credit card from there. My bank doesn't charge anything extra, though PP may tack on that 3.5%; I don't remember. 

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