Description

Payment from buyer on depop on hold

**Why is My Depop Payment on Hold in PayPal? Common Reasons and Solutions**

Selling an item on Depop should be straightforward, right? You list it, a buyer purchases it, and the funds magically arrive in your account. But what happens when a payment suddenly goes on “hold”—especially when all your ducks are in a row? This is exactly what many sellers face, including you, whose recent £200+ sale is stuck in limbo. Here’s why this might happen and what to do about it.

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### **Why is the Payment on Hold?**
Even if you’re a verified Depop seller with glowing reviews and a spotless history, PayPal can sometimes put payments on hold. Here’s why this might happen:

#### 1. **High-Value Transactions Trigger Review**
PayPal’s algorithms are designed to flag unusual or large transactions for manual review—especially if this is one of your first big sales. A £200+ purchase could raise red flags, even with a trusted account. While smaller transactions process instantly, larger ones may take time as PayPal verifies the activity.

#### 2. **New or Underused PayPal Account**
You mentioned your PayPal is “relatively new.” Even if you’ve made previous transactions, a sudden jump in activity (e.g., a large sale after smaller ones) might prompt PayPal to pause the payment temporarily. This is a standard precaution against fraud or unauthorized use.

#### 3. **Location or Shipping Discrepancies**
If the buyer or seller location differs from your shipping address, or if the item’s type (e.g., electronics, luxury goods) requires extra scrutiny, PayPal may flag the transaction.

#### 4. **PayPal’s Updated Policies**
Policies evolve, especially after incidents like chargebacks or fraud. A small adjustment in PayPal’s system could affect payouts. Check their [Trust & Safety page](https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/article/how-PayPal-keeps-transactions-safe-1AAGCPS23284JH75Q) for recent changes.

#### 5. **Depop’s Payment Timing**
Though less common, Depop’s payout schedule might also play a role. Occasionally, payments take longer to release if there’s a delay in Depop processing the transaction to PayPal.

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### **Steps to Resolve the Hold**

#### 1. **Contact PayPal Support Directly**
Calling or messaging PayPal’s customer service is your best bet. Explain your case clearly:
– State that the transaction is legitimate (i.e., verified, good reviews, no disputes).
– Mention your clean record on Depop and PayPal history.
– Ask explicitly for the reason behind the hold (e.g., “Why’s this payment flagged?”).

Use PayPal’s **Help Center** or the **dispute resolution tool** if available in your country.

#### 2. **Wait It Out**
Unfortunately, “waiting” might be the only option. Holds often resolve within 2–7 business days as PayPal reviews the transaction. If the hold exceeds this window, escalate to a higher-tier support team.

#### 3. **Verify Your PayPal Account Further**
While you’re verified on Depop, PayPal might require additional verification (e.g., linking a bank account, uploading documents). Visit PayPal’s **Security Center** for personalized steps.

#### 4. **Confirm with the Buyer**
While rare, ensure the buyer didn’t accidentally cancel the payment or mark it as disputed. Check Depop’s order confirmation and messaging thread.

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### **Why My Account’s History Didn’t Prevent This?**
Even with a 5-star rating and consistent sales, algorithm-based holds don’t always consider social proof (like Depop reviews). They rely purely on transactional and regional data. For PayPal, it’s about risk mitigation, not seller reputation—yet another reason to manage expectations with large sells.

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### **Preventing Future Holds**
– **Split high-value items into multiple listings** (to stay under common threshold limits).
– **Use verified shipping confirmations** on Depop to add transparency.
– **Link a bank account or ID to PayPal**, improving trust in your account.

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### **Final Note: Patience, but Don’t Stay Silent**
While frustrating, holds are a safeguard against fraud. While Depop handles the transaction process, the final authority rests with PayPal. Stay proactive: document your case, contact support, and keep your account details updated.

You’re doing everything right—this hiccup might just be a system adjustment.

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**In Short**:
Even verified sellers encounter holds, but most are resolved quickly. Prove legitimacy to PayPal, be persistent with support, and lean on the policies to your advantage. Keep selling confidently—that money will arrive!

Let me know if this helps or if you need deeper insights!

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*Have you faced a similar hold? Share your story in the comments.*

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This structured approach balances empathy with actionable advice, helping both the original poster and other sellers navigate the same hurdle.