As a snarker, I enjoy the entries on Regretsy.com. In case you don't know of this website, it is "where DIY meets WTF." It basically snarks on certain items that are posted for sale on the Etsy.com website. In some cases, Regretsy has done a wonderful job of uncovering resellers who buy wholesale and try to pass off the items as "OOAK" ("one of a kind"). A lot of the Etsy sellers get all huffy with Helen Killer, the Regretsy manager, and really, they should just shut up because Helen is porobably giving them more exposure than they deserve.
But Regretsy has, in the past, been very supportive of members of its community and now at Christmas time, is making the effort to help needy children. And is running into some trouble with that.
As you know, we have been trying to buy Christmas presents for kids in the Regretsy community.
We took many applications, vetted them carefully and set about creating a giant gift exchange program, where you could buy a gift for the over 200 children we’re helping.
We raised so much money that we found ourselves in a position of not just being able to send toys, but to send a monetary gift to the families as well. We hoped it might help them make their holiday dinners more special, or maybe pay a pressing bill.
Apparently we made the mistake of using the “Donate” button, which Paypal is now claiming is only for nonprofit organizations to use. They froze the account, which also includes Zazzle money that we use to make emergency gifts. That money isn’t in issue, but what the hell! Might as well keep everything!
So last night, I decided to go about this a different way. Since these toys are already purchased, I decided to offer them up for sale on this site, just like any other retailer would. You could buy them according to what you wanted to spend, and we would send them on to the recipient of your gift, just like any other retailer.
PAYPAL SHUT IT DOWN
After a very long and jaw-dropping conversation with an incredibly condescending representative, they have decided that I must refund all the donations and purchases that have not been processed.
If you can avoid using PayPal during your holiday shopping, please do so. I know there are hundreds, if not thousands, of bogus charity sites using PayPal, but evidently PayPal could not give a crap about that.
1 comments:
I haven't used PayPal in years; not since we had an experience of credit card fraud using them. I subsequently discovered that my problem was not uncommon and that their security left much to be desired.
I don't know why so many people trust them.
I go without whatever it is I want if the only option is PayPal.
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