e-Cheque

[alejo2k]

Hi there,

I didn't know what it was an e-Cheque until today. I bought something on ebay and paypal decided to pay with an e-Cheque instead of my linked debit card.

I am a bit worried as I cannot see the transaction on my bank statements and when I call my bank (barclays), they cannot see it either.

I have the money to pay and I want to pay. Not only paypal didn't ask for my permission to use this echeque thing but I can't even cancel the trasaction.

I cant call them because they kicked you out as apparently waiting queues are quite long and they keep sending me standard text messages on the help centre.

Could you please help me to understand a bit what is going on? If I google barclays e-cheque, I cant find anything related.

Ideally, I would love to reverse this crap transaction, amend my account so it only pays with debit card and pay the seller asap as it was a bargain and I dont want to lose the item.

Thanks

[kernowlass]

@alejo2k 

Transfers from bank accounts are never instant as Paypal use electronic transfers ie echeques.

Funds normally leave your bank account from a few hours > few days later but they take several working days to clear through to the seller as echeque transfers are the cheapest (but slowest) transfer option and go via ACH in batches.

Paypals instant transfer isn't really instant, its called that because normally when you buy something paypal credit the seller upfront and then Paypal take the wait for the funds to transfer, this is so you get your item without delay.

There are times however when its you and the seller / recipient that take the wait for the echeque to clear and here are some of the reasons...

1. Back up card has expired or needs updating.
2. You have had a recent negative balance or failed bank transfer (so paypal are not going to credit the seller in advance in case it happens again).
3. For some high cost riskier payments / transactions.
4. Friends / family payments *funded from a bank account* as this option is free then its you that takes the wait this time.

[alejo2k]

@kernowlass Thank you so much for your message and sorry I hasn't been able to get back to you sooner.

For whatever the reasons are, they decided to go with eCheque. It was meant to be cleared by today but payment hasn't even been taken from my account yet.

I saw paypal set up a direct debit on the 26th January (Transaction was on the 25th). How long does it take PayPal to take the money from my bank account?

Both, I and the seller are very annoyed and disappointed with this situation. We don't know what to do. I could cancel the direct debit but I think that would make things worse. Paypal does not help at all. Always standard messages saying they cannot cancel it, they cannot do anything. Seller wanted to wait and I dont know if there is anything he could be doing on his end.

Thanks