Number Plates from eBay. PayPal Issues.

[ashleyman]

Got a new car that has number plates covered in EU logos and dealer branding. I prefer the pressed plates without the logo and dealer branding so ordered some number plates on eBay.

A few hours after my order was confirmed I got an email to say:

"We have placed a temporary pending status on this transaction."

The next day, the payment was reversed because:

"Unfortunately, this transaction has been declined after we found a risk associated with your payment. We are therefore not able to complete this particular transaction."

I've since tried it another 4 times, all with different cards, correct billing and shipping information and I always get the same response. Order cancelled and transaction reversed.

What doesn't make sense is I've previously ordered 2 sets of number plates from this company in 2017, they're listed on the DVLA website as legitimate plate makers and the plates are supplied with the correct DVLA stamps and markings.

Thinking it was an issue with the seller, I then found another seller who made the same plates and was also on the DVLA list of authorised plate makers so ordered with them and again, a few hours after order confirmation I get an email to say:

"We have placed a temporary pending status on this transaction."

I assume tomorrow I'll get an email to say my order has been cancelled and the payment reversed.

It's not my cards as I tried all 4 of them and they all failed. I've made other transactions with PayPal for other things and all have gone through successfully. All payment and delivery information is correct.

Any ideas? Is PayPal banning sales of number plates or something?

Edited by ashleyman on Wednesday 31st January 01:08

[CarbonXKR]

Instead of wasting your time when it's obvious that the sale won't go ahead, why don't you order your plates from one of the showplate suppliers online? There's lots of them....

[Adam_W]

First step should have been to contact paypal to ask WTF?

Given they could be blocking the transaction because they believe your account is compromised just as easily as blocking it because theres a problem with the seller.

[Krikkit]

They're probably having a dispute with the seller- I've had this before and in each case the seller either disappeared and everything was cancelled, or they'd just process it as normal after a couple of days.

Pressed plates = gash btw

[richs2891]

It may be eBay been funny with sellers selling number plates. I noticed this in Dec when I was looking for a set of replacement plates. Gave up on eBay in the end.

[shakotan]

PayPal are only a financial transaction company.

They don't give two hoots about the actual product itself, therefore there must be a (suspected) issue with your account, so contact them and see if you can get it resolved.

[ashleyman]

Contacted PayPal and they’ve confirmed there’s no issues with my account or payment methods. Spoke to the bank who said they’re not blocking anything.

PayPal can’t answer why orders to 2 separate sellers and attempts with different cards have failed as it’s processed by a different team.

Whilst this was all going on I’ve managed to buy other stuff on eBay using the same cards and addresses.

Why did I try so many times to order from the first seller? because their product is good, always delivered fast and most importantly I done the research and they were 100% legal.

I’ve found a set on amazon which I’ll get instead.

There doesn’t seem to be an explanation from anyone as to why this is happening.

[Cold]

Are clicking on an actual message from Paypal or have you just entered the details of four different cards into a phishing email?

[ShampooEfficient]

Cold said:

Are clicking on an actual message from Paypal or have you just entered the details of four different cards into a phishing email?

This was my thought too.

[ashleyman]

Cold said:

Are clicking on an actual message from Paypal or have you just entered the details of four different cards into a phishing email?

I’m confident I t’s all genuine from PayPal. When I was on the phone to PayPal they could also see the transactions and saw the same issues on their end as I was via email.

It doesn’t make any sense that it’s just number plates that have the issue. The double sided 3M tape I purchased to stick the plate on the car arrived fine.