Is it normal for Paypal to place payments made to you on pending for an eBay item?

Question

Hello, I am selling my Laptop on eBay and the buyer has agreed to send me payment for my Item. She claims to have sent the money and I have received a message from [e-mail] that the payment is pending from my account until I get my shipment/reference tracking number from the Laptop I am planning to send. I am new to selling on eBay, is this the way it works? Please answer from experience thanks.

Answer 1

I disagree with the previous answers.  It does sound fishy and should be checked out before you ship.  Money will be held until a check clears, but unless you entered an escrow service it will not be held just until you prove you've shipped the item.  Even then, an escrow would have the receiver indicate that they got it in good condition before releasing the funds.

Check the email headers carefully and directly check your paypal account.  Sounds like fraud.

Answer 2

Okay the way they are doing this is, more than likely, they did an online check.  Paypal will hold that and make sure it clears for you.  If they are mailing you money, check, money order, or what have you.  Wait untill that has cleared your bank before you do anything.  Contact the buyer and let them know, they will understand and if they don't try to explain that that is the way it is going to be and if they still complain you can get an Ebay "councel" and have help.  

I had the same problem just a couple of weeks ago and all turned out okay.

Answer 3

YES!That is completely normal. What that sounds like is the person paid for your item with an echeck-  and when that happens, paypal is waiting for it to clear. When it does, they will send you an email saying it has, and you are free to ship!

No need to worry. Just wait a few days.