Pay in 4 is pending, seller issue or paypal?

[Temp20230306d]

I’ve used Pay in 4 a lot the past couple years with no issues. I made a purchase last week from a company that uses PayPal in their checkout. After not receiving an email from PayPal saying I paid my first installment, I checked the app, and it says my plan is pending. I checked my bank account, and it showed that PayPal took the money out for my first installment. I had used Pay in 4 for another purchase after this one, and that purchase went through fine on the same day I made it. However, this prior plan has been pending for 5 days now. I know I completed my transaction with the company, because I received a confirmation email for my order from them. They usually ship quick, but I haven’t received any emails from them. I don’t see how it’s an issue being approved for Pay in 4 since the plan I started after went up fine, and Paypal says I’m pre-approved for Pay in 4. I have had two plans going at once, so I don’t think that’s an issue either unless something with PayPal has changed since January. Is PayPal putting a hold on this Pay in 4 plan, and if so, why? Could the plan be pending because the seller hasn’t accepted the payment method? Is it another issue? I’d like to know if I need to just wait or contact the seller. If it’s a PayPal issue, how long does this pending process usually take? Any help is appreciated.

[artek1]

Hi I have similar problem. I have paid my first PAY IN 3 instalment in full on 04/03 which is shown on my bank transaction. Today/2 days later/ PayPal trying collect the same money once again from my bank account. Hey guys what going on?

[Temp20230306d]

@artek1 I don’t know if this is your first time using pay in 4, but they put a hold on me once in the very beginning. Took money out of my account, put it back in, then took it out again or something like that. It was so long ago I can’t remember. It’s weird that it’s happening again all of a sudden and just for this one purchase

[PayPal_Ayesha]

Hello @artek1 and @Temp20230306d,

Welcome to PayPal Community Forum and thank you for posting!

I understand that you're worried about the PayPal pay in 4. Thank you for your post and welcome to the Community Forum! When making a purchase with Pay in 4, we’ll conduct a pre-authorization hold on your specified payment method for an amount equal to the initial payment or one-fourth of your total transaction amount. This will show as a pending authorization within your PayPal Account Activity and also at your financial institution. Once you complete your purchase with Pay in 4 and the merchant ships your goods, the pending authorization will be removed and the initial payment will be withdrawn from your specified payment method. 

If the transaction doesn't complete your Pay in 4, the pending authorization will be automatically voided by PayPal within 72 hours of the pre-authorization hold. Please note, in some instances, your financial institution may take longer to remove the authorization after receiving the void request from PayPal. If you need more details or clarification on this, please reach out to our customer support team through the available contact options on our website.

Best Wishes,
Ayesha