Ebay seller requires my phone number to buy a small lightbulb

squack

bought a headlamp bulb on ebay for a scooter

cost about £3

trying to pay but the seller has specified that a phone number is required

tried putting a random number in but it didn't work, i think it has to be the correct one listed on my account

am suspicious why a guy from china would want to ring me up to tell me my small item has despatched

we get enough dodgy phonecalls from abroad as it is, do you think the seller is collecting phone numbers and selling on

greeneye

There's a setting on ebay when you list that asks buyers for a phone number it's for sellers who use courier companies that require a phone number.

paulofessex

Have you tried not leaving a space between the area code and number or have you tried +44****** leaving off the 1st zero

bris

Change the number you have with ebay, use the same number for the seller, when it's accepted change it back in ebay.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Change the number you have with ebay, use the same number for the seller, when it's accepted change it back in ebay.

Any seller you bid or buy with can get your contact number by requesting your details so entering it on Checkout makes no difference. The new setting is there as some sellers use couriers who request phone numbers for each delivery and it's a more streamlined process if the customer provides this with payment rather than the seller having to request details or email the customer.

Any member with an invalid phone number can be reported and if it isn't updated the account will be suspended, part of shopping on eBay means you will have to share your contact number with the sellers you shop with.

arriva

buy somewhere else, it seems too much hassle.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

buy somewhere else, it seems too much hassle.

Nearly every website I've ever ordered from asks for a phone number, how is it too much hassle to type an 11 digit number you know off by heart.

If you suspect Chinese people will sell your phone number to scammers or cold callers only buy from people from the UK, but be careful, I've heard there's Chinese people living here too...

arriva

ludovico wrote: »

buy somewhere else, it seems too much hassle.

Nearly every website I've ever ordered from asks for a phone number, how is it too much hassle to type an 11 digit number you know off by heart.

If you suspect Chinese people will sell your phone number to scammers or cold callers only buy from people from the UK, but be careful, I've heard there's Chinese people living here too...

the OP can't enter a phone number hence he cannot buy. That's too much hassle, not giving out the phone no itself.

hermum

squack wrote: »

bought a headlamp bulb on ebay for a scooter

cost about £3

trying to pay but the seller has specified that a phone number is required

tried putting a random number in but it didn't work, i think it has to be the correct one listed on my account

am suspicious why a guy from china would want to ring me up to tell me my small item has despatched

we get enough dodgy phonecalls from abroad as it is, do you think the seller is collecting phone numbers and selling on

arriva wrote: »

the OP can't enter a phone number hence he cannot buy. That's too much hassle, not giving out the phone no itself.

The OP has tried putting in a false contact number, as doesn't want to give his real one.
The chances are that the seller asks for the buyers number on every transaction as it's a standard invoice, message or whatever.

arriva

so why it doesn't auto-fill like the postal address?

Oliver14

ludovico wrote: »

Nearly every website I've ever ordered from asks for a phone number, how is it too much hassle to type an 11 digit number you know off by heart.

Not sure where you buy from because I have only rarely been asked for a phone number. never given one to Amazon, John Lewis or any other major seller. The only time I have ever been asked is if there is a courier delivery involved. You may not care who has your phone number but a lot of people do.

ludovico wrote: »

you suspect Chinese people will sell your phone number to scammers or cold callers only buy from people from the UK, but be careful, I've heard there's Chinese people living here too...

Considering the amount of fakes and scams coming from the far east. Also the fact that they do not have to adhere to the Data protection act (British laws dont apply in China). The OP has very real concerns that their data could be passed on. Its only a small item that will arrive by RM so no courier will need that number. You can be sarcastic all you like, but personally I wouldn't want my phone number given to some Random Chinese company.

ludovico wrote:

Any member with an invalid phone number can be reported and if it isn't updated the account will be suspended, part of shopping on eBay means you will have to share your contact number with the sellers you shop with

.On my main buying account I have not had the correct phone number for 8 years (never updated it when I moved I only updated my selling accounts). The ebay police havent yet kicked my doors in and dragged me away for this terrible piece of rule breaking. To put your scaremongering into perspective the chances of ebay finding out your phone number is incorrect is pretty near zero. As ebay staff have more useful things to do than check everyones phone number

I agree with Arriva buy somewhere else or if you cant get the item anywhere else just use a mobile number.