Money is paid in, but not paid out. | Payment processing on eBay | eBay Germany

Money is paid in, but not paid out. | Payment processing on eBay | eBay Germany

Trade & Discuss Commercially

Payment processing on eBay

Money is paid in, but not paid out.

Summary: A participant reports problems with delayed payouts from a sales portal despite delivery, and calls this outrageous. perfect-sally asks for proof of shipment in order to possibly clarify the issue, and explains that if it was sent without proof, the amount could be withheld.

Subject: Payment processing on eBay – money withheld despite buyer confirmation

Hello everyone,

A few weeks ago, I sold a high-priced item on eBay. The buyer personally received the item and confirmed this to me in writing. In addition, he left a positive review and explicitly told me by message that the payout of the amount could happen immediately.

Nevertheless, eBay is holding my money until February 12 and justifies this by saying that my eBay account has only a small sales history. Of course I understand that eBay has buyer protection measures, but in this case there is no longer any risk or uncertainty at all:

• The buyer confirmed receipt of the item in writing.

• He left positive feedback.

• He told eBay directly that the payout can be made.

• The payment was already debited from his PayPal account on January 14.

I have contacted eBay several times, but I either get standard replies or no response at all anymore. It seems as if eBay is sticking to the waiting period out of principle, without reviewing the individual case.

Has anyone had similar experiences? Is there a way to speed up the process? What is the reason for this behavior from EBay anyway?

Thanks for your tips!

Best regards

Stephan

stephanfg

418 View listings

Posted 1 year ago·Last reply 1 month ago

52 comments

galadriel_63

·1 month ago

I have exactly the same problem. I think it's outrageous that Ebay doesn't pay out the money to sellers immediately, but instead sits on it first, even though it's clear the item arrived and everything was in perfect order.

perfect-sally

·1 month ago

Do you have proof of shipment, like a tracking number?

Do you have valid proof of delivery?

If you ship it as a merchandise shipment, you don't have either of those

and then it gets withheld.

rosendackel

·3 months ago

Paypal, I think, is a great thing. I still haven't had any problems with it to this day. Maybe that's also because I don't sell and ship any "junk items".

nor_5076

·3 months ago

I have exactly the same problem with eBay, I still haven't received my money yet

perfect-sally

·3 months ago

I don't see a seller rating for you. Just read through here and pay attention to the posts.

herbei23

·5 months ago

I always have this problem
I think they work with the money as long as possible.
7 days ago I sold 2 items for €268. The buyer paid immediately and received the goods on Tuesday. But I haven’t received any money.
Same **bleep** every time

perfect-sally

·5 months ago

@herbei23

you also have no current seller rating at all, and so it may well be that it is being withheld at first.

And you certainly didn’t read the payment processing terms either! And if ebay actually WERE working with the withheld money, then the place would already have been shut down by the authorities!

imperial-modellbau

·5 months ago

@perfect-sally

Hello Thomas,

once again, a little "copy and paste" would be appropriate here too, wouldn’t it? 😁 😉

I find it shocking how many sellers don’t bother to familiarise themselves with eBay’s rules, but just "give it a go".

No wonder - eBay also gives them the impression that it’s soooo easy! 🙄

And then comes the big crying and teeth-chattering afterward!

No one can really claim that eBay didn’t inform people about the new payment methods when they were introduced - but as you already wrote, who reads that anyway!!!

However one may ultimately judge them, they are still a fixed part of trading on eBay, which every user has agreed to.

perfect-sally

·5 months ago

Hi @imperial-modellbau

Hi Andy,

yes, and that won’t change even after more years with payment processing.

People see the ad about selling for free, and then it all kicks off.

Everything else is ignored and not taken into account!

Best,

Thomas

d_kleiba

·5 months ago

You two experts naturally also read all the terms and conditions carefully.

I don’t think your verbal "outpourings" helped anyone.

perfect-sally

·5 months ago

For that, your comment helps immensely now - namely us!

imperial-modellbau

·5 months ago

And if only to know that I probably hit the nail on the head! 😉

bdszwickau

·6 months ago

Hello.
I have the same problem too.
Sold an expensive watch. Member since 2014 with 100% feedback and countless transactions. Money is being withheld for 30 days after delivery - for buyer protection.
On the one hand, from private seller to private buyer there is no liability to speak of anyway, and on the other hand the buyer could prepare a lawsuit through eBay if the goods really turn out to be defective.
The customer hotline is completely useless; they just refer to the changed terms and conditions and say one should understand eBay. Well, no. It makes absolutely no sense.
The consequence will be that nothing will be sold through eBay anymore.
They get upset about things being moved outside the platform, but with nonsense like this, it's no wonder.
Learned something again, and in future eBay will be penalized when it comes to selling.

drachenroger

·6 months ago

I’m having the same issue: three sales abroad (DHL international and DHL express intern.) are not being recorded by eBay as “delivered” after successful delivery, despite the tracking number being entered correctly. In another sale as well, the proceeds are being “withheld”. The money is with eBay and is not being paid out. Calls to the hotline were unsuccessful.

The problems are certainly known at eBay. So I guess the only thing left now is to hire a lawyer.

Anonymous User

·8 months ago

hello,

I can only agree, multiple calls again and again the same old song, buyer has absolutely confirmed the quality positively, Ebay is holding the money back. Incomprehensible, I will leave the platform too.

petersmodellbahnstuebchen

·8 months ago

Hey @Anonymous

You are listed as a new seller, Ebay calls that risk management.

Maybe the lovely @verena@ebay can provide more exact info, thanks Verena.🤗

cris-car-components

·10 months ago

@elke@ebay unfortunately, nothing is still happening here, so how am I supposed to proceed? Report it to a lawyer or what? Haven't received any info so far... I'm really slowly getting fed up with this whole thing.... this can't be right that I only ship, it gets delivered and I only collect the "MONEY" while I don't get paid out anything..... Best regards Cris

voli-maus

·10 months ago

Hello @cris-car-components ,

today the lovely @melina@ebay can surely write something helpful about this.

cris-car-components

·11 months ago

Hello everyone,

I'm also not getting my money paid out, customer service doesn't help much there either, it's always just "REST ASSURED, I'LL HELP YOU, DON'T WORRY" ... Well, there are worries when you can't get to the money, packages delivered but no money, help? None at all, I no longer get any reply by email either... Every day it gets worse... No response, no money, packages have long since been delivered, I have. Sent proof of delivery specifically, but that doesn't help either... 🤷

elke@ebay

·11 months ago

Hello @cris-car-components ,

thanks for your report.

The amount will be available within 3 days after delivery, once we have confirmed that the buyer has not reported any problems with the order.

If you have already shipped the items, please upload a valid tracking number on eBay for each one so that we can trace the delivery.

Best regards

Elke

cris-car-components

·11 months ago

The tracking number was uploaded after all... You have to follow it manually, it doesn't work automatically because the carrier GO EXPRESS isn't integrated with eBay... That's why you have to click on Sales and check it manually, I even made an extra email on customerhelp with all the data, and still nothing has come, so you can only track it manually 😉

elke@ebay

·11 months ago

Hello @cris-car-components ,

as I can see, your request was already forwarded to our specialist department yesterday and is currently being reviewed there.

I can’t tell you how long it will take in total.

So please be patient a little longer here.

Best regards

Elke

cris-car-components

·11 months ago

I’ve been patient since July 🤷wait and see...

vintageandothersthings

·11 months ago

I'm also dealing with eBay's behavior again right now........it's just an absolute disgrace. Taking advantage of their monopoly position and exploiting the little guys.

Unfortunately, there are hardly any alternatives........

nikawall

·11 months ago

I think it's outrageous that the buyer has more rights than the seller. Of course a buyer needs a certain amount of protection, but withholding the money for weeks is just not acceptable!!

I know a few people who are just barely getting by through private sales on Ebay, whether it's their own used clothes or games and the like. And when these people then have to wait 30 days for their money, while at the same time the fridge is empty..... well, you can probably imagine that it's not so great.

An acquaintance also once sold something, and they simply claimed that nothing had arrived or that it was broken (I can't remember anymore), although it absolutely could not have been the case. It's just sad; it reminds me of the saying: "whoever gives up freedom for security loses both" - even if the saying describes something different, it somehow fits here too.

filou800

·11 months ago

Hello, I’m in the same situation as Stephan. I’ve been a member of eBay for 21 years and have a piece of jewelry that was sold for a high price, yet still far below its value. The auction went really well, was paid for immediately, shipped the same day, and the item was with the buyer 2 days later. I covered the postage with extra insurance (€27.00) as the seller. So everyone would be on the safe side. Base fee €550.00. Well, naive as I am, I waited for my money. Nope....

First I had to verify my account, done. Okay. Message from eBay - withholding the payment for 30 days. Sold on 14.8.25, so until 14.09.25. Message to eBay that I can’t understand this because the item arrived, positive feedback. No, payout will be withheld.

After 3 days I got an email happily informing me that I have to wait until 26.08. On 26.08. I then wanted to request the payout. Nope... My account has to be reviewed, taking up to 5 days. I’m supposed to wait until 01.09. Why?

I’ve long since lost my patience, since no concrete information is given about what the actual reason is.

For me, the bottom line is no jewelry and no money either. Customer service isn’t replying anymore either.

I just don’t understand it. Am I being accused of something? Honestly, I’m desperate.

Thanks for listening 😊

Bettina

voli-maus

·11 months ago

Hey @filou800 ,

you sold a single item for 7800 bucks, wow.

Some sellers would love that kind of turnover.

The buyer can still make a complaint, even if they had left positive feedback.

@verena@ebay might have a different answer for you ?

elke@ebay

·11 months ago

Hello @filou800 ,

thanks for your patience.

As I can see, the payout was initiated this morning and should be credited to your bank account within the next one to two business days.

Kind regards

Elke

fros0903

·1 year ago

Hello Stephan,

I feel similarly to you.

As a seller, you now have to advance the money to the customer via Ebay until the purchase is completed.

Payouts via Ebay will only appear in your business account via Ebay after the customer's delivery has been confirmed within 72 hours, provided you have chosen this payment option.

P.S. Who gives us, as sellers, certainty about this?

I have outstanding amounts for orders via Ebay of around 8000 euros.

The advance payment has to be financed.

Who can do that as a seller?

Initially, Ebay showed me a seller financing / loan for expanding my business, which I will not agree to.

Best regards, René

I will therefore leave this platform.

raffke2012

·1 year ago

@fros0903

I think it’s because of your poor "Detailed seller ratings" and the fact that you haven’t sold many items yet.

You also sell very high-priced items.

zeitblitz

·1 year ago

Same here. I’m going to leave Ebay and open my own shop. Ebay isn’t fun anymore.

wolke_12

·1 year ago

Hello
It's the same for me.
What can I do now?

voli-maus

·1 year ago

Please start your own thread and explain your concern, @wolke_12 .

hasjana

·1 year ago

@stephanfg

the process for pickup is basically as follows :

> Buyer completes the purchase process with pickup (instead of shipping) and, in your case, pays via eBay

> Buyer receives a QR code and payment code after payment has been completed

> Buyer brings the codes for pickup (after the seller has received confirmation from eBay that payment was made)

> Seller hands over the item and receives the codes from the buyer

> Seller scans the QR code via the eBay app or enters the payment code manually, thereby confirming to eBay that the item has been handed over

... whether the buyer confirms receipt to you in writing or leaves you a positive rating is rather irrelevant

stephanfg

OP1 year ago

Thank you very much for your reply. Unfortunately, it does not address my specific concern. The buyer has already received the item, left positive feedback, and informed eBay in writing that the payout can be made. Nevertheless, the money is being withheld. Could you please explain specifically why eBay is still refusing the payout despite this clear confirmation? I am asking for a clear answer regarding my case and not a general description of the process.”

raffke2012

·1 year ago

I'm now hypothetically assuming that the buyer finds after 20 days that the item isn't silver at all.

As part of buyer protection, the buyer reports an item that differs from the item description.

But eBay has already transferred the amount to you and you have already withdrawn it completely from the account.

What are the consequences for eBay now?

The item first has to be sent back and eBay has to refund the amount to the buyer.

Normally, the money is then withheld from further sales or debited from the bank account.

But if no further sales take place and the account has been emptied, then this creates a lot of work for eBay.

If you extrapolate this effort to the number of these or similar cases, then you can actually already understand that eBay chooses the route of withholding.

This is a safeguard for eBay and the buyer.

https://www.ebay.de/help/selling/getting-paid/einbehaltene-zahlungen-im-rahmen-der-zahlungsabwicklung?id=4816&st=3&pos=5&query=Einbehaltene%20Zahlungen%20im%20Rahmen%20der%20Zahlungsabwicklung&intent=Zahlungsabwicklung&lucenceai=lucenceai&docId=HELP1450

stephanfg

OP1 year ago

Your example would be understandable if the buyer had not yet received or checked the item. In my specific case, however, that is irrelevant, because:
1. The buyer picked up the item in person and checked it on site.
2. The buyer explicitly confirmed receipt and stated that the payout can be released.
3. The buyer has already left positive feedback.
This removes the basis for a subsequent complaint, as eBay has already sufficiently protected the buyer. There is no logical reason to continue withholding the payment.
I therefore ask for a comprehensible explanation for the continued delay in my specific case.

voli-maus

·1 year ago

@stephanfg wrote:
Your example would be understandable if the buyer had not yet received or checked the item. In my specific case, however, that is irrelevant because:
1. The buyer picked up the item in person and checked it on site.
2. The buyer explicitly confirmed receipt and stated that the payout can be released.
3. The buyer has already left positive feedback.
This removes the basis for a subsequent complaint, since eBay has already sufficiently protected the buyer. There is no logical reason to continue withholding the payment.
I therefore ask for a plausible explanation for the continued delay in my specific case.

How does that work, @stephanfg ?

The buyer can lodge a complaint after the purchase, that also applies to private sellers and even if a buyer had left positive feedback.

stephanfg

OP1 year ago

Hello Voli-Maus,
That's not entirely correct. In a private sale, the buyer cannot make a claim for a complaint if the seller has completely excluded liability – unless one of the following applies:
1. Fraudulent deception or deliberate misrepresentation (e.g. if a defect was intentionally concealed).
2. A hidden defect that the seller knew about but did not disclose.
In this case, the buyer received the item, checked it, and even confirmed it positively. This makes it very difficult legally to enforce a complaint afterwards.
eBay's 30-day rule is not a statutory right, but a platform policy that mainly applies to commercial sales. In private sales, the general rule is: sold as seen.
Kind regards,
Stephan

voli-maus

·1 year ago

Hi @stephanfg ,

check it out on eBay.

Even with a private seller, a complaint can be made.

A complaint is not a withdrawal.

A withdrawal from a private seller is not possible, but a complaint is very much possible

*sweet-melody*

·1 year ago

@stephanfg wrote:
Hello Voli-Maus,
That’s not quite right. In a private sale, the buyer cannot assert any claim for a complaint if the seller has completely excluded liability – unless the following applies:
1. Fraudulent deception or deliberate misrepresentation (e.g. if a defect was intentionally concealed).
2. A hidden defect that the seller knew about but did not disclose.
In this case, the buyer received the item, inspected it, and even confirmed it positively. That makes it legally very difficult to enforce a complaint afterward.
The 30-day rule from eBay is not a legal right, but a platform policy that mainly applies to commercial sales. In a private sale, the general rule is: sold as seen.
Best regards,
Stephan

***********************************************************************************************************

Hello @stephanfg !

*The 30-day rule from eBay is not a legal right, but a platform policy that mainly applies to commercial sales.*

Exactly, and you agreed to that with your signature.

zeitblitz

·1 year ago

I just want to know how long this approach has been practiced by eBay, or on what basis this is done. I understand that buyer protection is important. Do I need a certain number of sales with positive ratings? From when am I classified as a reliable seller who gets their money transferred shortly afterward? Unbelievable, you don’t find out anything. This makes it all pointless to register a business.

gebraucht-ist-gut

·1 year ago

@zeitblitz wrote:
I just want to know how long this approach has been practiced by Ebay, or what basis this is done on. I understand that buyer protection is important. Do I need a certain number of sales with positive reviews? From when am I classified as a reliable seller who gets their money transferred in the short term? Incredible, you learn nothing. There’s no point in registering a business like this.

Hello,

unfortunately ebay won’t be letting anyone look behind the curtain there.

But yes, it won’t stay like this forever and will harmonize over time if your account stays clean.

Tip:
Check your stored details in the meantime.
I don’t see any stored WRB - in some cases even listings where you exclude returns.

I also don’t see “incl. VAT” in your price information.

And your terms and conditions actually don’t fit either (prices plus VAT, payment terms, etc.)

rosendackel

·5 months ago

There was security with Paypal too. The seller got the money right away! So what’s the deal? It’s simple: the seller’s capital works for Ebay, that’s all. No buyer protection at all!

katzenjogi

·3 months ago

Hello @rosendackel

my reply is a bit late, but the fact is that many private sellers simply no longer offered PayPal, because there were corresponding posts about it here in the forum - concerning payment disputes. A seller might get their money from PayPal quickly, but it could just as quickly be reversed if the buyer didn’t like something. And if there was no buyer protection at all for the item, a payment dispute was opened and it was claimed that the item had never been bought in the first place. To avoid that, many sellers then stopped using PayPal. I did too, for example...

Probably also one of the reasons why payment processing was taken over by eBay in the first place - how are you supposed to advertise buyer protection if the majority of sellers don’t want to offer PayPal at all?

I’m happy to admit that I was a bit hypocritical there myself. As a seller, I didn’t offer PayPal myself, but after a few bad experiences as a buyer, I only paid with PayPal. But I do have a strong sense of fairness myself and always say (even if jokingly) that if all sellers and buyers on eBay were like me, we wouldn’t need buyer protection at all. If something arrived broken with the buyer, I paid for the repair or refunded it; if an item got lost, I only open an item not received case if I paid for insured shipping. If it’s a private seller and I pay for uninsured shipping, then I’m just out of luck. Even now with eBay checkout, I didn’t request a return for a motherboard that was delivered with a partial defect, because the seller could credibly assure me that he hadn’t known anything about it, since he simply didn’t use certain functions of the motherboard himself (SLI). It does work, even if only with one graphics card.

However, in advance, checkout through eBay prevented me from continuing to sell here. Maybe it really is a mild form of a neurodivergent disorder with me that I actually read the complete terms and conditions every time before I agree. Especially with things that had already been discussed controversially and at length before.

I don’t expect that from anyone either; it just rubs me the wrong way a bit when intelligent people then complain afterwards that something happens that was explicitly pointed out beforehand. But that could also have to do with a possibly existing neurodivergent disorder....

raffke2012

·1 year ago

Hello,

that also has to do with buyer protection, which is granted for 30 days.

That means the buyer could still raise an objection within those 30 days.

stephanfg

OP1 year ago

Many thanks for your reply. I understand that eBay provides buyer protection. However, this justification makes no sense in this case, because:
1. The buyer has already received the item and confirmed receipt to eBay.
2. The buyer is completely satisfied with the goods and has stated this explicitly.
3. eBay is still withholding the money without providing a comprehensible explanation.
Why is the payout still being blocked, even though the buyer has confirmed receipt and explicitly stated that the payment can be released?
Please provide a specific answer to this individual case and no general explanation of eBay's policies.

ttd4it

·1 year ago

@stephanfg

Hi Stephan,

in general, all new sellers or those who sell only rarely/in small amounts have this experience.

The community is full of such questions.

On the one hand, of course, it provides a certain amount of protection; on the other hand, it is understandably frustrating when you have to wait days/weeks for your money.

You can only draw your own conclusions from it.

Best regards

Thomas