Can’t get an Ebay sellers account

souwesterly

I am in the unfortunate position of having run a business that then collapsed – don’t worry – no-one was hurt – only me. :embarasse As a result my creditworthiness is somewhere below zero!

In addition I damaged my back so I can’t work – therefore I have to suffer the twin evils of having to survive on Government handouts (Pension Credit ‘cos I’m 61) and only being able to have a Basic Bank Account.

Therefore, when I came to open a Seller’s Account on Ebay, they wouldn’t let me because I have no Credit Cards. Why should that matter – I don’t particularly want to buy things – I want to TRY to make some money!

Does anyone know how I can improve my status – either on Ebay or generally?

Contains_Mild_Peril

I can't recall the names of any offhand, but there are one or two credit cards actually marketed at those with bad credit records. The interest rates and charges are outrageous of course, but you could probably obtain one, cut it in half and never use it, but still have the details for filling in forms.
I do think it's appalling that eBay require a credit card to open a seller's account. I've heard that a credit or debit card is required even for a buyer's account nowadays. They say it's just to verify the applicant's ID, but when I e-mailed them to ask if any other ID could be used instead, they sent a generic reply saying no, and that they're not excluding too many people because according to their statistics 98% of bank account holders also have a credit card! I have no idea where they found that somewhat unlikely statistic. The 3 main possibilities I can think of are that they are trying to apply US statistics to the UK, or that they assume 98% have credit cards because only 2% actually query the requirement, or that they just made it up!

Hintza

Try using your debit card.

adam2484

i registered with my debit card

mom23

adam2484 wrote:

i registered with my debit card

Same here!!

Contains_Mild_Peril

Not everyone even has a debit card. Since souwesterly mentioned having only a Basic Bank Account, I'd be surprised if s/he has a debit card. If not, could it be possible to use a relative's card? I don't know if this is allowed if they're at a different address, though my DH (same address and surname as me) used mine, and I just got an e-mail to check with me that I knew about it.

arnie&caseysma!

My OH only has a basic bank account which has a Visa Electron debit card (limited use in places) and he got a sellers account with this.

Anthillmob

capital one gave me a credit card with a £200 limit when i had only a basic bank account and owed money. you can apply online.

adam2484

Contains_Mild_Peril wrote:

Not everyone even has a debit card. Since souwesterly mentioned having only a Basic Bank Account, I'd be surprised if s/he has a debit card. If not, could it be possible to use a relative's card? I don't know if this is allowed if they're at a different address, though my DH (same address and surname as me) used mine, and I just got an e-mail to check with me that I knew about it.

Be surprised, I have a basic account and have a debit card for that account

souwesterly

Anthillmob wrote:

capital one gave me a credit card with a £200 limit when i had only a basic bank account and owed money. you can apply online.

lol:p I applied to Capital One a while ago and was told that if I paid them £175 I could have a £200 limit card. Got better things to do with what little money I have!

iwanttosave_2

I had a visa electron on my basic account which is what I signed up to ebay with.