Thread: Paypal and Coupons

I just did a trade with another BBS member for ciggy coupons and she paid w/ paypal. They have placed a hold on my acct and here is what they sent:

We appreciate the fact that you chose PayPal to send and receive payments
for your transactions.

However, after a recent review of your account, it has been determined that
you are currently in violation of PayPal's Acceptable Use Policy. The
Policy prohibits the use of PayPal in the purchase or sale of tobacco,
including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco, due to the many
difficulties inherent in assuring that tobacco sales comply with applicable
laws. The complete Acceptable Use Policy addressing Tobacco can be found
at the following URL:

http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr...ide&ed=tobacco

In order to comply with the Acceptable Use Policy and avoid the limitation
or closure of your account, you will need to:

1) Cease accepting PayPal for payments that violate PayPal's Acceptable Use
Policy regarding tobacco such as cigarette coupons; and

2) Submit the online Acceptable Use Policy affidavit.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive review or list of your Internet
sites in violation. Furthermore, the violations of the Policy described
above are not intended to be an all-inclusive list. It is the
responsibility of the user to ensure that all transactions comply with the
Acceptable Use Policy.

For more information about the status of your account, please log in to
your PayPal account.

We encourage you to login and return your account to good standing as soon
as possible. Failure to respond by 11/21/05 will result in the further
escalation of this issue.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please understand that this
is a security measure meant to help protect you and your account. We
apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact
the PayPal Acceptable Use Policy Department at aup@paypal.com.

Sincerely,
PayPal Acceptable Use Policy Department
PayPal, an eBay Company


I thought I would let everyone know about this. It seems they are doing some kind of "monitoring" because I have two paypal accounts, one for Ebay and one for other stuff, like here. They sent me a similar one about my Ebay one becuase of me selling Sterling Silver. They actually have a policy against coupons of any kind. Everyone may want to make themselves familiar with these policies to avoid their accounts beings suspended. They said the next violation can result in account suspension. It is unfair and rediculous imo. The only way the even knew was becuase the buyer put "cigg coupons" as the subject, but she of course, had no way of knowing!

When I logged into paypal, they want proof that I am not selling coupons on my website. I don't have a website. I have no idea how I can restore access to my account and I have ALL my money in there right now!! No water bill being paid on Monday I suppose

As many coupons as are bought and sold here, it would be a good idea to maybe see what is acceptable.

Did you recieve that in an email? Send it to spoof@paypal.com just to check first.

I looked over their Acceptable Use Policy here: http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr..._frame-outside And could not find any mention of them disallowing the use of PayPal for selling/trading coupons. I did find the part about anything Tobacco related....

It is not a spoof email...........i just had the same problem and called paypal and had to delete any wording that associated paypal with ciggy coupons. Until that was done they would not reinstate my account.
I traded these on another board and they looked over my posting before they would release my account. Apparently they are starting to check over the trading boards.

I actually called Paypal just to be safe. They said you can't buy or sell anything tobacco related, even with the debit card!!! That means I have to go to the ATM and withdraw my money to buy ciggs, alcohol, or anything else on the acceptable use policy list. I collect and breed Orchids. One of the items you can't buy are "exotic" plants, including orchids listed as exotic. EVERYBODY lists their orchids as exotic because they ARE!!! That does not mean they are illegal!! Paypal is taking this too far IMO. They told me on the phone that they have the right to freeze my funds and deny me access to my account if my account is under "observation". I asked her if that was not the EXACT reason for the class action lawsuit. She had the AUDACITY(sp) to tell me that was because they were freezing funds without it being in compliance with the user agreemnet. They have since "changed" the user agreement so they can do it now!!! Here are some of teh other items she said your CANNOT buy or sell:

NOTHING pornographic. Even if you are over 18 (or 21) and it is perfectly legal. You cannot purchase DVD's, Magazines (playboy, penthouse etc) or "toys" from ANYWHERE like Adam and Eve, Ebay or ANYWHERE!!

Precious Metals. I sell Sterling Silver Jewerly thru Ebay and I received an email from paypal saying I was in violation for the following reason;

"Under the Bank Secrecy Act, dealers in precious metals are considered financial institutions and must adopt an anti money laundering program and comply with all appropriate laws and regulations. Dealers of precious metals must pre-register with PayPal and verify their knowledge and compliance with these laws. "

ANY form of travel, like airline tix, hotel stays, cruises unless you are a liscenced agent or you only buy or sell 1 item per month. How does this apply to someone that has to travel to a craft show EVERY WEEK in another city????


I was really just letting everyone know that Paypal is watching EVERYTHING you buys nad sell, EVEN with a debit card and some people don't seem to mind, but I do!! I have the right to privacy and that money is MINE!!! 90% of what the ban is COMPLETLY understandable (guns, Indian Artifacts, Drugs etc) But I think if it is legal and you are a consenting adult, you should be able to buy cigs if you want!!!

Paypal makes a GIANT sum of money from me in fees each month, why can't they just leave me alone??

Wow! That is very disturbing. I may rethink paypal from now on.

Something else paypal is doing....you can NOT tell people you only accept funded paypal anymore (on Ebay). You, as a seller, have to accept credit card payments. They have been suspending auctions because people have stated they only accept funded paypal. I read posts on a board (maybe this one) where people were complaining about it. ALSO, Paypal states that you cannot ask/tell people that they have to pay the fees in order for you to accept a credit card payment. I've seen people doing that for years. You know...some people say they'll accept Paypal if you add in the fee to the payment...that's a no-no. PayPal now states that as a seller you Must accept any payment offered (including credit cards) even if it means you have to upgrade to a premier account. I think they say that you are "supposed" to have a premier account to sell on Ebay (not positive on that though).

I can't believe you can't buy cigarettes with the debit card! PayPal is going too far.

wow........how many people are selling gold and silver on ebay and accepting payment through paypal? they better get busy but i highly doubt they will stop them due to the amount of money they make off of it........just if there is a problem they will probably side with the buyer of such items

Yeah they did the same thing to me Over listing paypal on my auctions at Bidville I have complied with all of there demans and I still have restrictions on my paypal account. I guess we will all have to switch
to money orders or concealed cash