With regards to the MAO white spot: appreciate you guys settling it on your own. I'm gonna write a bit on why I'm hesitant to transfer spots at this point, will be replying to the email sent.
On PayPal and GBs:
I'm sure by now many of you have heard of PP horror stories and how GB runners should have notified them ahead of time. Let me just say that in my and other GB runner experiences, notifying PP ahead of time, including all info and even using a business account does not guarantee any recourse once the money comes in. Prior to this GB we have been in constant contact with PP through emails and phone calls, given that their SEA headquarters are situated here in Singapore. Despite assurances from them that once a large amount of $ comes in it'll be fine, the amount slated for Canoe was immediately frozen due to a few factors PP highlighted:
1. Product was not immediately fulfilled (Which we informed them prior to the buy that this would happen)
2. Refunds (PayPal viewed cancellation and reinvoices due to a few transfers etc as refunds by unhappy customers, which to PP signalled that we were having trouble fulfilling items)
Since the entirety , or close to the entirety of the Canoe funds were frozen, we decided to go ahead with the best solution at that time. I paid for the entire production out of my
Christmas money savings, and at this stage I'm quite happy to say that we're still fine in terms of finances and that the buy was fully funded. I do not have any idea when PP will decide to unfreeze the amount, and thankfully since I'm a nerd who stays at home most of the time my savings have not been drained at this point. Unless I find an OTD Koala I guess.
So, why not refund and reinvoice? Any refund will flag us to PP, further extending the freeze period. I confirmed this with the rep over the phone and while she was sympathetic this is how PP works. I've sold quite a few of my personal boards over the past few months in order to further accumulate buffer in case any unfortunate things happen, which so far is fine
So the moral of the story is this. PayPal is erratic and highly volatile from my perspective. For future buys I will consider Shopify payments (CC/DC) and bank transfers heavily over PP, since Shopify still provides customer protection for goods purchased, and deposits $ regularly without freezing huge sums for no reason.
This is why I'm only processing transfers much later, I hope this helps to explain the logic behind my actions.
Regarding production: Percent is finishing up Skog and then he will return to Canoe. Some units are close to done, and not to worry since kingnestea and I are in close contact with him.
TL:DR: PayPal sucks, get a debit card.