Emily is in Marion/Carbondale shopping for Christmas items. We don’t have too many people to buy for, but it’s still a hassle when so many people are out in the stores.

Earlier, I took a couple of huge Rubbermaid totes and donated them. LOTS of kids’ clothes and some of Em’s and mine. Kids go through clothes SO fast. I can’t believe they have gone through basically a whole wardrobe change in 6 months (other than summer clothes, obviously).

What struck me as odd was the woman asked me if I wanted a receipt for the clothes. Of course I didn’t, but evidently a LOT of people like to claim the deduction on their taxes. What ever happened to giving just to give?

PP did finally release my money. Now I can finally finish Christmas shopping and pay bills. I wonder if PP will reimburse me for the expedited shipping fees I will have to pay to get everything by Christmas?

Probably not. I’m happy this fiasco is over now.

I just called PP after getting my confirmation from the USPS that the package was delivered and signed-for by the buyer. Unfortunately, their “system is updating”. I’m really doubting that, but we have had issues here before and have been unable to help customers.

I was told to “call back later this afternoon” to see if they would be able to help me further.

In summary: PP has altered their TOS to freeze accounts as they see fit, PP refuses to let me access my money that is unrelated to this transaction, and now they can’t even release my money after I met their demands.

All in all, PP seems to be acting like they are the rulers of some financial country and make up rules as they go along and as they please. I used t recommend PP to everyone. There are layers of security in their policies and protection for buyers and sellers. It was a pretty nice little company.

Unfortunately, now PP has taken to altering their Terms of Service as they see fit to regulate commerce. I don’t think they have been sanctioned by the government to regulate commerce in any way. They are supposed to be a conduit for money, not regulating how you send it or receive it. Oh well, as soon as this debacle is over I’m heading right over to Google Checkout. Maybe they are better, maybe not, but at least they haven’t been as horrible as PayPal.

Apparently the BBB is looking at my complaint. They actually asked for my eBay user ID to investigate further. I am shocked and just a little happy. I’m not sure whether they will make any progress or do anything for me, but it’s nice to know they’re trying.

That’s more than the FTC did.

Well, I filed complaints with the FTC, BBB, and of course PayPal itself.

The FTC sent me a form letter reply saying “beware of internet fraud” blah blah blah. So they are good for nothing. Way to regulate banking institutions, idiots. What is the FTC for anyway? Obviously it’s not for helping the public when they have issues with an organization regulated by them.

The BBB hasn’t responded yet. I’m wondering if they ever will.

PayPal still refuses to do anything except hold my money while they earn interest on it. I still do not see how they can hold my money just because they feel like it. I have violated no policy nor committed any crime, but I have had my assets frozen like a drug dealer or something. Thank you for tying up my cash and making money at the same time, PP.