PayPal keeping payment on hold until delivery confirmed, but...

[hepz88]

As I'm new to selling on ebay, PayPal is keeping the payment I'm due 'on hold' until delivery is confirmed, but although I sent the item 2.5 weeks ago and have a Proof of Posting receipt, the 'barcode number' I have on the receipt keeps saying 'An update will only be provided when we attempt to deliver your item', suggesting it's either not been delivered in well over 2 weeks (it was second class) OR it just never got scanned at the other end.

However, if I can't get hold of proof of delivery, I think the money will be bounced back to the buyer soon (who I tried to contact a couple of days ago to confirm he received the parcel..). Can anyone help me? I have to say that I'm finding ebay unhelpful and not at all easy to use, which has come as a surprise to me.

Thanks

[pixiesen2012]

what does it say next to the payment in your paypal account?

payments are held for 21 days, unless you have tracking that shows the item was delivered earlier

[hepz88]

It says 'payment received', but above that is highlighted 'ON HOLD'

Under that it says 'You'll get your money within 7 days of verification' but how will it be verified when it was just sent second class? As I say, I have Proof of Posting receipt that includes a 'Barcode Number' but this isn't tracking.

[fargvs]

Check delivery status by entering the 16 digit transaction number (Scanned on delivery) on the POP here >
https://www3.royalmail.com/track-your-item#/

[hepz88]

I only paid 2nd class for it so the barcode number I have doesn't actually give me anything about tracking... 😕

I think the money is 'on hold' in paypal because I'm new to selling. Once I realised the barcode number will always say the same (because it wasn't actually tracked), I deleted that number off my records with ebay and paypal and it now says the money is on hold for 7 days (rather than until delivery is confirmed).

I think what I was worried about was if delivery can't be confirmed in some way in those 7 days, then the money will automatically go back to the buyer... but maybe it's actually unless the buyer complains that they haven't received the parcel (which they surely would have done weeks ago if it hadn't arrived!) then the money will be released... That's what I'm now hoping anyway!

[fargvs]

Have you used the Transaction/Barcode number in the Royal Mail link to check ? ... whilst not tracked fully through the postal service, it is >>> SCANNED ON DELIVERY !.

[hepz88]

Oh dear... that's concerning!

Yes, that's what I've kept on doing and it always says 'An update will only be provided when we attempt to deliver your item', which is what worried me in the first place as it seems to be suggesting that nearly 3 weeks later it hasn't been delivered (OR it just hasn't been scanned, as I'd surely have heard from the recipient if it hadn't arrived still!)

I called the lady at the post office yesterday and she said it wouldn't be scanned or marked as delivered unless I'd paid extra for tracking... strange...