Don't know if it applies here... but after Googling StevieT reply... I read this....
Authorization & Capture
Authorization & Capture, or Auth/Capture, allows you to authorize the availability of funds for a transaction but delay the capture of funds until a later time. This is often useful for merchants who have a delayed order fulfillment process. Authorize & Capture also enables merchants to modify the original authorization amount due to order changes occurring after the initial order is placed, such as taxes, shipping or gratuity.Authorize & Capture can be used in tandem with other PayPal payment options, such as Express Checkout, Direct Payment, and standard payment buttons.Once an authorization has been made, you can:
Capture either a partial amount or the full amount of the authorization
Reauthorize for a different amount: You can reauthorize for up to 115% of the originally authorized amount, not to exceed an increase of $75 USD
Void the authorization, if you need to cancel the transaction
After a successful authorization, PayPal honors 100% of authorized funds for three days. A day is defined as the start of the calendar day on which the authorization was made. However, PayPal will not allow you to capture funds if your customer's account is restricted or locked, or if your account has a high restriction level.You can attempt to capture without a reauthorization from day four to day 29 of the authorization period, but PayPal cannot ensure that 100% of the funds will be available after the three day honor period.You can make two types of authorizations, basic authorizations and order authorizations.
Basic Authorizations
Basic authorizations place the customer's funds on hold for up to 29 days. During this time, you can capture, void, or reauthorize the funds. You can reauthorize a transaction only once. You can reauthorize it for up to 115% of the originally authorized amount, not to exceed an increase of $75 USD.You can capture and void basic authorizations through either the Authorize & Capture APIs or by logging in to your PayPal account and using the web interface.
Orders and Order Authorizations
An order authorization confirms the availability of the customer's funds but does not place the funds on hold. After making the order, you can capture the order directly without any additional authorization, or you can make an additional order authorization to change the amount, and then capture that amount.This technique is often used by merchants who accept orders for varying items, some of which may not be available for shipment at the time the order is placed. Subsequent basic authorizations are made as the items become available. These authorizations ensure the customer still has the funds available in order to purchase the item. You can make up to 10 basic authorizations for each order authorization.An order period is 29 days long. Within this period, you can request an authorization to ensure the availability of funds, up to 115% of the originally authorized amount, not to exceed an increase of $75 USD. You can only perform this authorization once.Using Authorization & CaptureYou create authorizations or order transactions using either the PayPal API (for Express Checkout or Website Payments Pro) or Website Payments Standard. For Direct Payments with Website Payments Pro, you can only create authorizations; you cannot create order authorizations.After you have created authorizations, you can capture, void, or reauthorize the transaction using the PayPal API. You can capture or void authorizations from the PayPal website.You must capture and void orders and order authorizations with the Authorization and Capture APIs. You cannot process order authorizations through the PayPal website. The PayPal website only supports processing basic authorizations, not order authorization
https://cms.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/?cmd=_render-content&content_ID=developer/howto_admin_authcapture
If it helps... I have bought 100's of items from EBAY - always using PayPal & using a Credit Card - twice in all the transactions over 18 years... I didn't get an item I ordered, both times I told the Credit Card company & they made PayPal issue an immediate refund, once I sent in a written letter saying I did not receive the item - hope this helps...