Verifying with a Credit Card - eBay? Huh?

lazymoezy

Basically, my brother in law has signed up to ebay, only has 1 feedback but has been registered for about 2 months now.

He just got a messege when he tried to bid on an item that he should verify his eBay account with a credit card. I cannot remember doing this and I have 150+ feedback and been a member for 1 Year +.

Is this a new thing? He has Paypal which is connected to his bank account. That's as far as he will go, he doesnt like the idea of eBay having his credit card details, so, I wont bother persuading him.

Is there a way round this? e.g. providing bank details instead? Why do eBay do this? I dont see this dettering scammers as they only use accounts for a short time and ditch them or get suspended.

Thanks,

-MoE-

steviebabes

It is the seller who has requested that bidders have a credit card on file. It stops random auction spoilers.

lazymoezy

'The seller'? So, its all because of one seller reporting the account? Or do I have the wrong end of the stick.

steviebabes

You have the wrong end of the stick! The seller sets up 'buyer requirements' such as amount of negative feedback and one of these requirements is for the buyer to have a credit card on file. I don't see why your brother in law should be bothered about this, you get an extra line of protection when paying by credit card through paypal.

frivolous_fay

Here you go, lazy

http://offer.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?BuyerBlockPreferences

barkemar

Also something to do, I think, with putting someone at an address. If someone verifies a credit card at a certain address, then they know that they are sending the item to the person's correct address.
I suspect it is to stop people buying items with a stolen paypal account and then having it sent to a different address. If someone worked out your paypal password they could pay for all sorts and have them sent to any address. As the seller you are in a bit of trouble at that point as you have sold your item to someone who hasn't paid for it.
At least that what I think it's for!!!

frivolous_fay

It wouldn't be the paypal address confirmation that stops you bidding though.

Any old unconfirmed muppet can win your auction and ruin your day!

lazymoezy

He has been bidding on the same items for a while with no luck in winning them, most from one seller, a business I think. He bidded on their itesm before, didnt win but was able to bid so how comes when he tries to bid on another one of their items it does this?

Its a Nike Football btw. Trying to get a bargain but people keep outbidding him and he isnt willing to pay over a certain amount

steviebabes

The seller may have been having trouble with auction wreckers and changed his buyer requirements as mentioned above. You can set these requirements differently for each item.