DO NOT USE PAYPAL VIA GAMESTOP'S WEBSITE!
Here is my experience on how the two of these companies STILL have $193.02 of my money frozen that I cannot use (five days later). *solution at bottom
On the 14th, I attempted to use PayPal in the shopping cart of GameStop's website.
The typical browser window popped up for me to login and prove to PayPal that this is indeed me.
The popup window went away after doing so and instead of the shopping cart allowing me to click the Checkout button, a box appeared at the top of the website basically saying "something went wrong, you can try again or call our phone number".
I tried again with no difference.
Both my PayPal and the card it was pulling from show pre-authorization for the correct amount.
I called the number, but it was way early in the morning before their call center was open.
Calling GameStop:
During business hours, I called GameStop via the number that error message provided.
Through that call, I learned that there was NO order or purchase, only an attempt in a shopping cart that, according to them, was declined (even though on the PayPal and logic know it was not even at the stage of the checkout that could have declined).
I told GameStop that their website was broken, with the explanation that their website incorrectly identified a pre-authorization from PayPal as a Decline.
They denied that their perfect website was broken.
Calling PayPal:
After reaching a human and explaining the situation, they confirmed that PayPal thinks that their is a pending transaction with GameStop that is pre-authorized.
I explained, again, that GameStop swears it declined.
They swear they can do nothing until GameStop either takes the money or tells PayPal that it is Declined.
And here is the mismatch that is the crux to the whole ordeal.
Since GameStop is convinced that their perfect website simply declined the PayPal "payment" (even though it was in the pre-authorization phase and never even reached the part of checking out), and PayPal is convinced that GameStop is going to finish the transaction, I can't touch that $193.02.
The second day of phone calls was just as fruitless as the first.
The third day of phone calls gave me false hope, with a PayPal person sending me a link where I could send them written proof that GameStop DECLINED it.
I got that proof from GameStop (something they refused to do the first two days) and sent it to PayPal via the provided link.
Crickets all weekend, as can be expected.
Monday after 5pm and still no progress or word from PayPal, so I called them and their first person hung up on me after having me wait for 4 minutes for a supervisor who never came.
After calling back and finally getting a supervisor, more lies, but with a definitive "there is nothing we will do to help you, even after you sent us this proof (that I made them read out loud) that it was declined; you have to wait the 15-20 business days for this to expire on its own."
Throughout more calls to GameStop and PayPal, I am told the following (most of which is either lies and/or contradictory):
GameStop: "PayPal declined the amount"; "our website is not broken, it's perfect"; "your shopping cart expired after 5 hours, so it's PayPal's fault for holding the money"; "it takes 24-48 hours to show up back on your card"; "it takes 3-5 business days to show up back on your card"; "it takes 15-20 business days to show up back on your card"
PayPal: "you can't open a dispute or a claim since it is not an actual purchase"; "we pre-authorized it, they need to accept it or decline it, we can't release the funds back to you otherwise"; "this pre-authorization should expire in 15-20 business days if they do not use it"; "get written proof from them that it was declined and we can release the funds back to you"; "whomever told you that sending us written proof (through the link we provided you to do so) of them declining it would help was wrong"; "contact your card company (ironically also PayPal)"
I called my PayPal card company and within minutes they had my money back on my card for me to use. They did warn me that if ever PayPal did end up sending that particular authorization through, that either it would get pulled from my card or get declined, and I said that is how it should have been from the beginning.
So, GameStop & PayPal would have kept my $193.02 frozen for up to 20 business days despite all of the proof that the transaction was never going to happen.
Evil & pathetic come to mind.
To any of you whom have successfully used PayPal on GameStop's website: Kudos, but that does not negate my story nor my warning to others, so save those comments to yourself.
Good afternoon,
I'm getting some clarification from the SS mods about brigading rules so that I know what I can and can't do in regards to directing potential online customers to this subreddit to discuss the online storefront. Once I have a solid understanding I plan on creating some flairs that categorize the user experience.
I then plan on cruising the various GME boards for an hour or so a day to let the posters know that this place exists and that they can make suggestions here. At the end of every month I will collate all the suggestions and send them to corporate. I will post what I send on this sub as well so everyone who is interested can stay in the loop.
Thanks everyone for participating and helping to try to make the best online shopping experience possible!