WTF is up with Paypal? Why can't I send money to a B&B in Mexico?

[Rowdyboy]

I've had an active paypal account for years using the same credit card and it's always worked easily.
Last week I tried to send $175 to a B&B in Merida Mexico and I got a message that my credit card needed to be "confirmed". After two lengthy "customer service" calls I still can't send the money (I have access to the card on-line, there's more than enough cash available).

So, in desperation, my partner signs up for a paypal account using a different e-mail address and a different credit card. Tries to send money. Gets a message that he needs to put money in his account. WTF has happened to paypal?

Sadly, the only way this particular B&B accepts payment is thru paypal so I'm stuck with dealing with them.

Could anyone help me understand what is going on and how I can fix it?

[KurtNYC]

1. why doesn't the B&B accept credit cards ?

sounds shady

[Rowdyboy]

4. We researched it pretty well....I believe its on the up-and-up....

But if no one has any suggestions I'm going to ask them for other options. From some of the reviews I believe they used to use Western Union.

[a la izquierda]

17. very normal in Mexico.

i am staying at a hotel that only takes cash and wire transfers. this is an extremely common thing for small businesses, as the fees are too high.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. Are you confirmed address?

Some merchants have transactions set to auto-block paypal with "unconfirmed addresses."

[Rowdyboy]

5. Yep-thats not the problem....Don't understand why this account stopped working

[pscot]

3. I think you have to go to a payday loan place

to do that.

[Rowdyboy]

7. After two stints with Paypal "customer service" (what a laugh) I'd gladly go

top a pay-day loan place if I could get a room there!

[wtmusic]

6. PayPal sucks.

Slow, crappy service. Security precautions which make no sense at all.

I would ask the B&B if they accept Western Union, which has a big presence in Mexico. :shrug:

[Rowdyboy]

8. I agree wholeheartedly that Paypay sucks....I believe this place used

Western Union until they switched to paypal. If I can't book one way, I'll go another.

[Posteritatis]

23. Don't forget the random confiscation of peoples' accounts. (nt)

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Call them up and ask them.

Don't hang up until they resolve the problem. Make sure it's fixed RIGHT THEN, not later.

[Rowdyboy]

12. Spent well over 30 minutes twice with customer service....Both agents were helpful but the language

barrier was tough. One was from Costa Rico, the other God knows where. I actually ran one phone's battery down trying to get it resolved.

[TheCowsCameHome]

25. I've always managed to find one "here" - maybe that's changed.

1-888-221-1161 always did the trick for me.

[Rowdyboy]

30. Thank you so much! I try first thing in the morning....I was mad earlier I started drinking

and now would not be a good time for me to talk to ANY csr.

[BlueCheese]

10. Taking a completely wild guess...

... is it possible that they think the transaction is fraudulent? It's possible trying to send money to a place abroad trips an automatic "Gee, this looks suspicious" alert.

Sort of like how your credit card might get declined if you try to make an unusual purchase, as happened to me recently, when trying to make two purchases within a few minutes at the same store.

[Rowdyboy]

13. This small amount should be no problem to transfer....and it happened to both of us

Something has seriously changed at Paypal.

[BlueCheese]

20. It might not be the amount, but the payee?

I'm still guessing. You probably don't want to try it (since it would cost money and hassle), but can you do a domestic transaction to a well-established business?

[jeanpalmer]

32. Maybe the B&B doesn't have a good record with Paypal

Paypal could have put them on a list of bad merchants. And the people you spoke with at Paypal might not be able to discuss it, or probably even know about it. That might explain why charges from two different sources would not go through.

[Historic NY]

11. Have you updated your credit card info, exp. dates, etc.

[Rowdyboy]

14. Good question-but yes, both cards are current and good...

[donco6]

15. ?? Just sent money today and worked fine. n/t

[Rowdyboy]

18. I'm at a total loss.....

[donco6]

19. I remember having to confirm my card quite a while ago.

As I recall, there was a process of checking my bill to see if some cents had shown up that they had deposited or something like that. I could be wrong. You're absolutely sure your card is the same card as the one on file with PP? It didn't expire and they sent you a new one with a new number? They don't usually send you the same card number now.

[Rowdyboy]

26. One of the CSRs helped me re-enter the card so I know its the right one

However, my card had never been "confirmed"-though I had been using it with them for years. They sent the $1.95 charge to my card but (at the time) I didn't have access to the card on-line. Now I do.

[Rowdyboy]

16. I just e-mailed the B&B-told them we're ready to book but we need an alternate way to pay

If they don't want our money, we'll find someplace that does.

[Canuckistanian]

21. Umm, can you not call the B&B directly?

And simply give them your CC number over the phone?

Why involve Paypal at all?

[Rowdyboy]

27. Their e-mail only listed the one way to pay...They do have a phone but

my Spanish is negligible. I have e-mailed them tonight to ask for some way to pay alternatively. Hopefully that'll take care of my problem.

[Capitalocracy]

22. I feel for you

I'm not even going to get into all the crap I've been through with the banks and various online services

[Rowdyboy]

28. There's got to be a simpler way....

[Capitalocracy]

31. To tell you the truth, my opinion is

that the ability to store money in a bank account, access it remotely, and move it around electronically, etc., is so necessary today to function in society that we need a public banking option.

But I guess that makes me a dirty commie.

[FirstLight]

24. Because you are aiding & abetting the enemy

Now all those transactions are being looked at like you are sending money to alqueida or the drug cartels...meanwhile the real crooks and bastards are sending money offshore to the caymans to avoid taxes.

[Rowdyboy]

29. At this point nothing would surprise me

[eShirl]

33. Because Paypal takes longer to do international money transfers (including currency xchange, anyway)

A friend in Australia has to allow a couple weeks when she wants to send money through them to a company in the U.S.