Paypal is a steaming pile

If you have money in Paypal, take it out now. Why? Because apparently they can hold your money without having to prove why they are doing so. You on the other hand, have to prove that you: A - are who you say and, B - have a legal right to sell what you're selling. Wait, what? It's like your bank raiding your garage sale and holding your shoebox till you produce 3 forms of ID and some receipts for grandma's toaster oven.

So I speak to "customer service" (who politely read all the pre-written, stock answers to me) and ask what exactly they think they are doing and just what is it they are looking for in this "investigation." All I am told is that they have "detected unusual activity." Being the account holder, I guess I am not privileged to what exactly that may be. In the meantime, my customers have my stuff, Paypal has my money plus the 3% they charge for their service, and I have nothing.

I go on to tell her that if Paypal is concerned that I have broken the law, they need to alert the authorities, whom they are not, but in the meantime, no matter what they find in the course of "investigating," it is MY MONEY. I was assured they understand, but I have a feeling all they understand is the fact I am getting screwed and have little recourse.

It has been one week now and they have seen fit to only respond to 2 of my 6 emails and lost the information I have submitted, well, every time I have provided it. Even though I was also assured (lots of assurance, but little action from them) of a timely resolution, I think they may have a different idea of what timely is. (As in, in the grand scheme of things, what's 2 months?) Anyone know a good lawyer willing to work pro bono?

I got a new bike today

this one isn't as cherry as the hondamatic but it's got gears and 10 more horsepower while being the same size engine, it also holds a little more gas, which is good. driving it home from stanford today kind of sucked though cause of the wind and chilliness. It's my favorite color though and is supposed to be guaranteed for a year by the shop that sold it to me.