I received an answer from Paypal regarding the payment. On the one hand, it suggests an explanation for how the money was reversed, though not why it took two weeks to do so, but on the other hand, it offers a stupid or invalid reason for why this could be done: "This is because the institution that issued the payment reversed the transaction. The funds were taken because this payment was not covered by PayPal's Seller Protection Policy."
As I understand it, the person paid it through an "instant withdrawal" from his bank, and then did not make good on what turned out to be an overdraft, though I still do not understand how that would take two weeks. But Paypal's statement, "The funds were taken because this payment was not covered by PayPal's Seller Protection Policy" does not make sense. First of all, they would have no idea whether the policy was followed. And secondly, that would, in effect, mean that virtually any transfer could be "taken" unless I followed the procedure for Paypal Seller Protection. For that to apply, you must use an on-line trackable method: either insurance or delivery confirmation. (Something that I now will do.)
And the buyer continues to say, he will make it good, but has yet to do so.
Now to dig the foot and half snow out of my driveway in time to get to school on Monday.
Tom Hayes
Chagrin Falls, Ohio USA