eBay selling / PayPal Premier "upgrade" question

Mods, 'pologies if this forum is only for discussing actual auctions, thought it would be best for this question.

So I just started regularly selling stuff on eBay.

eBay Feedback Profile for squirrelcar

I'm trying to trim my collection down in the next month or so, so was flipping some extra exclusives before doing my vintage stuff--but anyways...

1) Seller sent me a payment via PayPal. I am NOT over the $500 receipt limit for a personal account for the month of April. I have, however, received more than $500 in the last 30 days.

2) I can't deny the payment, but I can't accept it without upgrading to a Premier account. I don't want to do this, because I use PayPal sparingly and the Premier account would hit my pocketbook. Also, to be frank, I think it's bullshit that they're requiring it.

3) I got nowhere with PayPal customer service. I don't post in this forum much, but please believe me when I tell you I'm so reasonable on the phone it's practically superhuman. I don't freak out or anything--I'm calm, polite, and sensible, and usually it works. But it was clear that they're weren't gonna do anything. They did tell me that it was an eBay policy that I have to upgrade, but I received a payment later that I can accept without upgrading (I received that when I wasn't over $500 in the previous 30 days).

4) I want to continue selling sporadically without having to upgrade. Is it that I have to stay under $500 for a thirty day period or is it a calendar month? And now that I've received this payment, how can I get to it without upgrading?

* What else do I need to know about selling on eBay? Any pearls of wisdom so's I don't get burned?

Originally Posted by llamatron Seriously, Bryan. is pretty much the coolest person in all of existence and definitely all of GD.

Oh, and how do I unlink my eBay and PayPal accounts, so that buyers can send me money with my email address but not directly through my auctions?

Originally Posted by llamatron Seriously, Bryan. is pretty much the coolest person in all of existence and definitely all of GD.

I think you might be s.o.l. on this one - I had the same problem back in the day and I had to upgrade to a premier account. Unfortunately it's their rules and since they run both eBay and Paypal... yeah, you've just got to play by them.

Re unlinking - I think there's a section in your Paypal profile where you can unlink them? Or maybe in your eBay seller account... I forget.

My collection | My feedback | My Most Wanted!
My For Sale thread | My customs

The best advice I can give you is play by their rules and upgrade. I've been a power-seller twice with two different accounts, one currently. We've discussed in other threads my older thoughts of eBay/PayPal and their unfair business practices when it comes to the seller. However, I think I learned my lesson the hard way and things are fine down the road because of that.

I upgraded some time ago to Business Premiere, and got the debit card and money market account status to go with it. Not only do they NOT mess with me, but they are very helpful and easy to work with over the phone. They want to make me happy and make money off my money.

After all, you start selling here and there, sell a few expensive pieces 'cause you need the money, and PayPal holds the funds for up to 21 days on you where you can't touch it. That isn't a good scenario and can be partially avoided by upgrading your account at their request and jumping through their hoops. I'm not one to play corporate bully ball, but this one is worth it.

upgrade and go...you can get a debit card so you have instant access to your funds...down side is you have a fee attached to any transaction where money is sent to you...i upgraded my account quite a while ago and did it mainly for the debit card...nice to have that avaliable for purchases and all....

De-linking your Paypal and ebay accounts could be tricky too, since (I think?) they're the same company.

I don't sell anywhere NEAR enough for the debit card to be a bonus. But I do sell enough (read: anything) for the extra fees to piss me off.

You can delink (did it yesterday), but I'm not sure it makes any difference except buyers don't get to automatically link to your PayPal account from your auction. And yeah, they're definitely the same company.

I solved the problem, anyways. I'm gonna sell a bunch of stuff without upgrading until the problem payment is about to go back to the buyer, then I'm gonna close the account and open a new Personal one. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Originally Posted by llamatron Seriously, Bryan. is pretty much the coolest person in all of existence and definitely all of GD.

Do you, by chance, have two banking accounts? Paypal permits you to have two Paypal accounts, one Personal and one Premier. I set up an online account with ING Direct and opened up a Personal Paypal account to go along with my Premier. (I think you can use a savings account in lieu of another checking account, but don't quote me on that.)

Careful with doing multiple accounts. Their tracking information isn't always the best, but when they find something even remotely suspect, they will suspend your eBay and all linked or at one time used PP accounts all together and freeze all funds in them. You will have to fax them information that they will no doubt "lose" or "not recieve" and your money won't be accessible.

May I recommend googling "eBay stealth guide" and reading the forums on that site for proper technique in de-linking your accounts. One slip up may cost you.

Dont trust paypal they screwed me over badly. Read this first...
Paypal Problems, Information, Issues, Class Action Lawsuits - paypal sucks