Paypal Does Some Shady Stuff In Time For Holidays

[Shane for Wax]

I don't know if this is the right place but it seems it to me.

Anyways, you know Paypal right? Basically the only way to buy things online and be secure in your transactions. Weeeeelllll...

www.regretsy.com/2011/12/05/cats-1-kids-0/

As you know, we have been trying to buy Christmas presents for kids in the Regretsy community.

We took many applications, vetted them carefully and set about creating a giant gift exchange program, where you could buy a gift for the over 200 children we’re helping.

We raised so much money that we found ourselves in a position of not just being able to send toys, but to send a monetary gift to the families as well. We hoped it might help them make their holiday dinners more special, or maybe pay a pressing bill.

PAYPAL SHUT IT DOWN

Apparently we made the mistake of using the “Donate” button, which Paypal is now claiming is only for nonprofit organizations to use. They froze the account, which also includes Zazzle money that we use to make emergency gifts. That money isn’t in issue, but what the hell! Might as well keep everything!

Seems rather shady to me! boo on paypal.

[largeham]

Not suprised. Paypal has done some shady stuff in the past: freezing the Wikileaks account, freezing payments and accounts of several other people and freezing a donation to a site called Cryptome (which hosted similar content to Wikileaks). Also, founder Peter Thiel is a libertarian, supports Ron Paul and also supports a group that wants to create artificial islands on the oceans.

[Yaezakura]

...the donate button is only for non-profits? What the fuck? Every site that takes donations for anything, even webcomic artists who live off the income from donators, use the "donate" button. I wasn't even aware any other kind of button existed.

[Shane for Wax]

I do want to point out if anyone wants to comment on their facebook page that you don't need to like them. Just post on their wall. That's it.

Same with not having to follow Paypal on Twitter. Just mention them however you like.

[N. De Plume]

Dec 6, 2011 0:45:56 GMT -5 Yaezakura said:

...the donate button is only for non-profits? What the fuck? Every site that takes donations for anything, even webcomic artists who live off the income from donators, use the "donate" button.

Yeah, but they don’t get enough donations to attract attention, I guess.

I wasn't even aware any other kind of button existed.

There is the Purchase button. For, y’know when you are actually getting something directly in return for your money.

[Shane for Wax]

I think Yaezakura means a different kind of donate button.

[N. De Plume]

Dec 6, 2011 12:14:21 GMT -5 Shane for Wax said:

I think Yaezakura means a different kind of donate button.

What other kind of “donate” buttons does paypal have?

Let’s see what’s available:

• Buy Now
  
• Add to Cart
  
• Donate
  
• Gift Certificate
  
• Subscribe

[Shane for Wax]

Dec 6, 2011 15:07:30 GMT -5 N. De Plume said:

Dec 6, 2011 12:14:21 GMT -5 Shane for Wax said:

I think Yaezakura means a different kind of donate button.

What other kind of “donate” buttons does paypal have?

Let’s see what’s available:

• Buy Now
  
• Add to Cart
  
• Donate
  
• Gift Certificate
  
• Subscribe

You're misreading.

I wasn't even aware any other kind of button existed.

take from this as meaning 'there's another type of donation button for those who aren't non-profit organizations to use?'

I could be mistaking the whole thing all together. I'm not very well rested after the whole Paypal/Regretsy thing.

In other news, Paypal made a backhanded apology around noon EST: Derp

Last night we became aware of an issue with one of our account holders, Regretsy.com. Though we can’t comment specifically on the account due to our privacy policy, we can confirm that the funds have been released and we are working directly with the account holder on this matter. Just like anyone else, we believe strongly in helping those in need, especially around the holiday season. We are working with Regretsy to make a donation to help their cause, and we’re truly sorry this occurred.

We appreciate that this can be an inconvenience, but we have a responsibility to all our customers – both donors and recipients; and buyers and sellers. In this instance, we recognized our error and moved as swiftly as possible to fix it.

Moved as swiftly as possible to fix it, while deleting many posts expressing displeasure over the situation.

[Bezron]

Dec 6, 2011 15:12:05 GMT -5 Shane for Wax said:

Dec 6, 2011 15:07:30 GMT -5 N. De Plume said:

What other kind of “donate” buttons does paypal have?

Let’s see what’s available:

• Buy Now
  
• Add to Cart
  
• Donate
  
• Gift Certificate
  
• Subscribe

You're misreading.



take from this as meaning 'there's another type of donation button for those who aren't non-profit organizations to use?'

I could be mistaking the whole thing all together. I'm not very well rested after the whole Paypal/Regretsy thing.

In other news, Paypal made a backhanded apology around noon EST: Derp

Last night we became aware of an issue with one of our account holders, Regretsy.com. Though we can’t comment specifically on the account due to our privacy policy, we can confirm that the funds have been released and we are working directly with the account holder on this matter. Just like anyone else, we believe strongly in helping those in need, especially around the holiday season. We are working with Regretsy to make a donation to help their cause, and we’re truly sorry this occurred.

We appreciate that this can be an inconvenience, but we have a responsibility to all our customers – both donors and recipients; and buyers and sellers. In this instance, we recognized our error and moved as swiftly as possible to fix it.

Moved as swiftly as possible to fix it, while deleting many posts expressing displeasure over the situation.

Did they recognize their idiot employee who made those ridiculous statements and fire their asses? No? Didn't think so

[Shane for Wax]

No because Paypal doesn't seem to think they are wrong. They're just trying to sweep the whole thing under the rug.

[Yaezakura]

What I meant by what I said earlier is "I didn't realize there were official paypal buttons other than the donate one". I mean yeah, there's the "make a payment" one, but that's when you're buying a product. The whole "donate button is for charitable organizations only" would basically shut down every web artist who relies on donations made through paypal to live, since they all use the donate button.

[Shane for Wax]

Yeah. And it seems it's been 'resolved'. Only because I'm sure something like this will happen again.

www.regretsy.com/2011/12/06/sooner-or-later-youll-pay-pal/