My paypal account was actually really locked....

[Soybomb]

So I go to dealextreme to buy cheap crap and I try to pay by paypal. The site redirects to the paypal secure login/checkout and I log in. It says I can't pay because my account access has been restricted. My thats certainly odd. Everything looks on the up and up but just to be sure I log on to to clean paypal url from another computer. Sure enough, locked so it isn't some nasty spyware taking over the hosts file or anything.

Shortly after I also receive

Subject: Notification of Limited Account Access
Dear Soy Bomb,
As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in the PayPal system. During a recent screening, we noticed an issue regarding your account.

We have reason to believe that your account was accessed by a third party. We have limited access to sensitive PayPal account features in case your account has been accessed by an unauthorized third party. We understand that having limited access can be an inconvenience, but protecting your account is our primary concern.

Case ID Number: PP-123-456-789
Sincerely, PayPal Account Review Department
----------------------------------------------------------------
PayPal Email ID PP522

Now I find several things interesting. My paypal email address and password are unique so its not likely they've been stolen from another site. I don't want to say I'm impervious to social engineering but I've been working in the tech field, well since I was old enough to work. I like to think I've got the basics down and this is more than likely poor detection.

When I looked at the information on the paypal site it also said it locked my account May 24th. I believe I used paypal from my office PC on that date, and I suspect thats what its related to. It seems improbable as I can't imagine that many people don't access their paypal account from work also but its the only thing that makes sense. Which brings up another issue, why if my account was locked weeks ago didn't paypal send me paper notification or call me at the time? They're going to send me a 4 digit address confirmation code in the mail now but that seems quite late and irresponsible as far as notifying your customers in the event of security problems.

Anyway I just wanted to get a good paypal rant out there because despite reading tons of "I hate paypal" posts I've never gotten to make one. I did get the genuine version of one of the most spammy emails in history though. Maybe a real prince will email me soon too.

 

[TruePaige]

Paypal is pretty crappy...they have done me over a few barrels, but nothing better is out there.

And don't say GCO. Google has enough info on me, I'm not giving them my social.

 

[Soybomb]

On a side note I also sent an email telling them that: 1.) I was disappointed with the notification system 2.) what conditions triggered the problem and if it was an unusual IP address please provide it so I can confirm, and 3.) please resend the letter that I haven't received.

I received a very prompt reply with a beautiful copy and paste response that addressed none of my points and didn't really pertain to my problem even. But it was fast.

 

[TruePaige]

Originally posted by: Soybomb
On a side note I also sent an email telling them that: 1.) I was disappointed with the notification system 2.) what conditions triggered the problem and if it was an unusual IP address please provide it so I can confirm, and 3.) please resend the letter that I haven't received.

I received a very prompt reply with a beautiful copy and paste response that addressed none of my points and didn't really pertain to my problem even. But it was fast.

Was it also shiny? Fast and shiny satisfies most consumers.

 

[Soybomb]

Well I sent my response asking that someone read and respond to my questions since they cannot be answered with copy and paste text.
I received this back:

Thank you for contacting PayPal!

Unfortunately, we were unable to process your service request. This was due
to a change in the original email subject or not utilizing the customized
contact form via the website.

My mail client added "Re: " to the subject line (I still use pine...how much more basic can you get?), certainly something you would think could be accounted for.

I've submitted another request via the web form. The same unrelated copy and paste answer has arrived again while making this post and getting iced tea. That "contact us" link seems to be a very nice "send me a copy of the help page by email" link. How useful. I've tried another path (its like a choose your own adventure book) on the contact us page. No response yet so perhaps it will be read. And then of course replied to with unrelated information, but read at least. This reminds me a lot of my experience with ebay customer service. I guess they probably are quite likely the same operation.

 

[Shawn]

call them.

 

[wyvrn]

Big American businesses don't pay for quality service. They skimp on support costs and don't allow their employees to make decisions. They handcuff them with a book of regulations. I worked in customer service for many years, some of it on the phone, and I can tell you that you are more likely to win the lottery than to get someone that can and will actually address your problem. Welcome to big business America.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: wyvrn
Big American businesses don't pay for quality service. They skimp on support costs and don't allow their employees to make decisions. They handcuff them with a book of regulations. I worked in customer service for many years, some of it on the phone, and I can tell you that you are more likely to win the lottery than to get someone that can and will actually address your problem. Welcome to big business America.

Don't dispute that, but it's our own fault (as consumers). We use the resources of customer-friendly companies to figure out what we want, then buy it online from some site to save a few bucks. We move all our money from one bank to another for $10 more in interest, then complain that their service sucks. People have decided they would rather have lower prices than good service, and that's exactly what we're getting. If people wanted service and were willing to pay for it, businesses would respond.

An example that comes to mind is an appliance store nearby. Family-owned and in business for 50+ years, they give free delivery, free removal of your old appliance, free installation, and if you make a service call and it's something that only takes a 5 minute adjustment to fix, they don't even charge you. Want your new refrigerator delivered at 9 PM Sunday? They'd do it.

But they sold out to a large chain because they were going down the tubes financially. Their appliance prices were about 10% higher than Best Buy, etc. and people would come in, browse, ask all their questions, then drive to Best Buy to make the purchase to save that 10%. By the time you added delivery, installation, etc., Best Buy wasn't any cheaper, but over the last few years people got fixated on price only and don't look at the whole package. Service? People don't give it a thought. So it's going away.

 

[jackace]

I agree with the 2 posts above. Service in America is dying. We have turned every good into a commodity where price is the only concern not the total package. Hopefully things will change sometime in the future. Would help to keep some jobs here in the US as well, but time will tell if changes actually happen.

 

[effee]

Paypal sucks. Now that you're account is locked they're going to give you the roundaround. They'll ask for copies of your driving licence, birth certificate, credit card statements everything to verify that you are you. And they'll make you wait 2 or 3 months before they process stuff. www.paypalsucks.com

 

[ZickZJ]

PayPal = POS

 

[Soybomb]

If they ask for copies of other stuff I might have to start to think long and hard about how much I need a paypal account.

I do agree in general with the poor service thing. I try to give my business to companies that seem to want to take care of me a little more. I chose the friendly local smalltown bank with the lady that stayed 10 minues late so I could open my account, I try to stick with citibank and amex for credit cards since they seem to have good customer service. I like verizon wireless because they cost a little more but my experience with their service dept has been great. I'm sure some places I drop the ball too, but if you look I think its still possible to find the good service provider in alot of areas.