For an upcoming jewelry show, a group of us were raffling a jewelry set to benefit Haiti. All the raffle money was to be donated. I offered to sell the raffle tickets, via PayPal, on this site in the weeks before the show to raise more money and make it convenient. After the first transaction, I received an email demanding documents of my tax-exempt status. PayPal doesn’t list phone numbers on their website, so I had to email back and explain that it was a one time charity raffle. Whoever read the email reported me to another department for a violation of terms of service, a charity raffle is gambling. I thought if I just spoke to someone it could all be cleared up. I had to google “PayPal phone numbers” to find a number to call. While PayPal won’t give you their number, PayPalSucks.com will. After multiple transfers and lots of hold music, I was eventually let down easy. I hope. I have jumped through the hoops they’ve provided and pending approval, my account will be restored to full access. This is the letter of regret I sent to the ‘acceptable use’ department.
To Paypal,
I’m very sorry that you don’t recognize a difference between a charity raffle and gambling, or perhaps, I’m sorry that I believed there to be a difference. I will immediately cease and desist my participation in the Haiti relief effort. My web page offering raffle tickets, whose entire profit would benefit Haiti, has been taken down. I’m also genuinely sorry that I put your company in such a precarious position, I had no idea until one of your phone associates told me, “We just need to cover our side of it, you know. It’s like locking your door at night, people try to use PayPal to fund al quaeda.”
As there are few other options for people in my entrepreneurial position, I look forward to continuing our business relationship uninterrupted. My only regret is that by discontinuing my charity efforts, I’m also costing you the 3% you would have skimmed off the top of those funds meant to ease the the hardship in Haiti at this trying time.
Sincerely and with deepest regret,
your valued customer,
Alex Ozers
