posted on March 31, 2002 04:18:09 PM
One of my friends is thinking about getting a
computer and going on line. Specifically, he wants to set up an eBay seller's account. He has asked me for a direct telephone number to the corporate offices in San Jose, which I don't have, that would enable him to discuss what options he has regarding establishing an account with eBay.
The person is really financially sound, but dosen't have or any need a line of credit until this time.
He is self-employed, pays his state and federal taxes, and is strictly on a cash basis. His name is Bill and his phone number is (510) 521-3871. If you have any advise to give him, I know that he would appreciate it.
posted on March 31, 2002 04:33:01 PM
No matter how worthy he is, I can't see eBay working anything out with him. Would a debit card work for him? or maybe one of the secured "credit" cards where he'd only have to ante up a very small sum for security?
posted on March 31, 2002 04:33:39 PM
I'm not so sure how wise it is to put your friend's phone # here. In fact I think it's not allowed anyways. Then again, how many people are going to pay for a long distance call to help a stranger or maybe even get a sales pitch in return?
My advice is to have your friend read this page at ebay and I'm sure he can find the info he needs.
posted on March 31, 2002 06:02:33 PM
You do not have to have a credit card to use ebay as a seller or buyer. I had this problem in the beginning and wrote ebay about it. They in turn sent me a url where I had to verify my existance and then I was approved! I suggest your friend write ebay and tell them the situation. Ebay will verify your friend another way. They just don't advertise this feature of becoming a registered user.
posted on March 31, 2002 08:58:36 PM
it is either be id verified or have a credit card on file.
neither prevents scam artists fleecing bidders big time
posted on March 31, 2002 09:24:16 PM
a friend of mine went round and round with ebay, they took a 50.00 payment off his credit card, marked him verified, he requested the card not be billed automatically, so they removed his card, now they won't let him sell on his account with a 50.00 credit, to get his credit back he has to send them a letter with a signature and some other stuff and then after 6-10 weeks they will credit his card.
Nope, can't sell on ebay without a credit card, and this guy has another alias with oodles of feedbacks that was grandfathered in and only one undeserved neg in the lot.
If you find a work around, I sure would like some info on it too!
posted on March 31, 2002 09:30:16 PM
>>"it is either be id verified or have a credit card on file. neither prevents scam artists fleecing bidders big time."<<
posted on March 31, 2002 10:04:18 PM
When he starts selling he will probably have to use paypal and then he can pay his fees through that. In the earlier days you could pay your fees monthly but ebay got rid of that quickly. I guess you can't do much without a credit card today. Good luck to your friend. If I were you I would remove his telephone number from you posting. He will probably get a lot of crank phone calls and if I were him I would be upset. We are all friendly on this board but anyone can read these boards it only takes a credit card to post.
posted on April 8, 2002 07:54:23 AM
Libra63: I'm sorry but that's not correct.
You can still make monthly payments of seller fees or a one-time payment. From the eBay site map, choose "Select or choose a payment option for my eBay seller fees".
From there you can sign up for eBay Direct Pay (they suck the money out of your checking account automatically), or pay by credit card, or print a coupon for a one-time payment by personal check or money order.
You can also make a one-time online payment using your credit card or eBay Direct Pay.
As far as establishing an account, yes, you can use ID Verify. The last time I looked into it there was a $5.00 fee.
I've been investigating all this because I want to simplify my life. Getting rid of credit cards is one of the first steps.
posted on April 8, 2002 08:50:25 AMI've been investigating all this because I want to simplify my life. Getting rid of credit cards is one of the first steps.
For me living without a credit card sure wouldn't simplify my life. The grocery checkout line, credit card, the doctor's office, credit card, the gas station, credit card, the car rental agency, credit card, on-line purchases, credit card, a dinner at the chinese buffett, credit card, tickets from the travel agency, credit card.
20 years ago the day before a business trip I lost my wallet and all my credit cards. Reporting the credit cards lost took about 10 minutes. I'll always remember that business trip as being one of the most difficult and least enjoyable. Traveling without a credit card is a major pain in the butt. I don't know how people travel without one.
At the end of the month I look at my statement and pay it. For me credit cards do simplify my life.
posted on April 8, 2002 09:13:24 AM
Even if you don't like credit cards, how about a debit card? That works the same as cash. You should edit out the phone number, I would be appalled if a friend posted my phone number in a public forum like this!
posted on April 8, 2002 09:26:31 AM
some folks may have maxed out on their cc,some may want to rid their future debts by going on cash basis.
i just came back from tokyo,i converted 200 dollars into 26,700 yens,wine and dine myself for 8 days,took train to airport,converted the remaining yen back to 50 dollars at airport,total spent 149 us dollars.
most places i patronise do not take credit cards and if they do,there is restrictions (like dinner only,or spend at least 1000 yens with us).
then i hopped on the plane and went to hong kong,they take credit card grudgingly,the discount fee is a lot higher than in usa.
so it looks like CASH is still king once you wander out of the tourist areas.
HEY,CASH HAS ALWAYS BEEN KING,ASK FLINTSTONE!!
But then american express would like you to think otherwise.
posted on April 8, 2002 10:37:46 AM
Interestingly, in the seller payment options, there is no option for deleting the credit card you are already paying with (which is what I was looking for). Looks to me like the only option is to let the card expire, which it does 4/31/02, and send cash deposits to eBay. I'm thinking that to avoid the inevitable payment-processing lag I should probably be sending a payment now, even though the card doesn't expire until the end of the month.
If I thought I could actually get a straight answer from eBay I would ask them about this.
posted on April 9, 2002 03:41:43 PM
I always use my bank card which works as a credit card so the fees just come out of my account.Other than that I would say use Paypal.I have a ton of credits cards but don't use them for that.
posted on April 9, 2002 06:43:45 PM
Last time I looked, you had to have some kind of plastic "I really am me" proof to register as a seller. I don't have any of that stuff, including a debit card, nor do I want any.
They also wanted a bank account number.
And, finally, being of the wonderful race known as "non-US residents", their verification scam doesn't work for me.
Seems that eBay are trying their hardest to make things difficult for new sellers, but they sure let us buy there
posted on April 9, 2002 08:27:29 PM
rb,'every week,there is a new post of what to do,ebay seller took my money and never ship me the goods.
dont you think it is time for ebay to tighten the ropes on the seller????
but anyone can read these boards it only takes a credit card to post.