Paypal Questions - Help, Disputes, Transfer Money

What the hell is this about?

So I sold something on ebay tonight, seller sends money over straight away. Rubbing my hands with glee, thinking I'll have a decent few meals this week until I get paid....I AM SORELY MISTAKEN.

I look at the screen, available balance 0.01p, PENDING £275.00. So I think bollocks to this and refund the money asking the seller to re-send it as an "out of ebay" money transfer as a gift.

So I look up holding/pending payments and apparently paypal can hold onto your money for 21 days if you have less than 20 feedbacks, are a new seller, or are selling an expensive item. They are holding onto my £300 for 21 days, getting intrest? What the fuck is that about? They already shafted me £11 for fees...is this legal....and if so how can I avoid a pending status on my cash?

Didn't know if anyone had experience of this....

Not being funny buddy but if I had won something on ebay and the seller refunded my money asking me to pay as a gift I would be pretty suss as there is no protection for the buyer.

Paypal can be a pain though I had my acccount frozen by them after I had set it up for suspected money laundering lol