Ebay won't let me sign in to pay seller, as I cannot receive text messages on my registered phone

lightbulb2760

I won an auction on Ebay on Saturday, and clicked on the email to pay the invoice, but find that Ebay now require me to receive a text message on my phone to be able to sign in. I do not own a phone that can receive text messages (my choice), so unless I sign in and pay by tomorrow (Thursday 23rd June) the seller may cancel my bid. I do have another phone number that can receive text messages (it's a mobile broadband SIM card in a USB dongle) but I am unable to change the phone number without signing in. Catch 22! 

Ebay seem to have no way to contact them any more: the phone number(s) they provide (e.g. 0800 358 6550/1/2) all give a recorded message asking me to go online; despite the message saying that I will be put through to someone who can help, it cuts off after the message. 

I have a reputation for paying quickly, and have 100% positive feedback, but if this situation isn't sorted out, I will lose that hard-earned rating, and will no longer be able to buy on Ebay. I can't even contact the seller to asvise them of the situation, as all contact is through Ebay. 

Can anyone advise on the best course of action?

allison445

Had the same problem this morning was my own fault as I was warned on multiple occasions my landline number was no longer viable and I needed to update with a mobile number unfortunately the signal at my home address is rubbish which is why I still use the landline.

After going around in circles with chat and the phone number you have just giving me an automated message then cutting me off I finally managed to get a chat agent to arrange a call back.

They are experiencing high volumes of queries right now due to this effecting lots of users I have given them my mobile number but I have been told I am in a queue and someone will input them manually to my account but it will take 24-48 hours so until then I am locked out of my account.

jon81uk

Have you tried the "need help signing in" link before entering your password?

That offers me a code via email instead of using password.

soolin

jon81uk said:

Have you tried the "need help signing in" link before entering your password?

That offers me a code via email instead of using password.

I've just logged into one of my little used accounts and had the same, text to phone or message to registered email.

OP just opt for the email option, gain access to your account and change the mobile number!

allison445

jon81uk said:

Have you tried the "need help signing in" link before entering your password?

That offers me a code via email instead of using password.

I tried this on a number of occasions and it didn't work unsure if it is still working for others 

GabbaGabbaHey

lightbulb2760 said:

and have 100% positive feedback, but if this situation isn't sorted out, I will lose that hard-earned rating

Sellers can only leave Positive feedback for Buyers on eBay, so your 100% positive is not at risk.

lightbulb2760

jon81uk said:

Have you tried the "need help signing in" link before entering your password?

That offers me a code via email instead of using password.

Yes. I just get the "Send a text" option. A friend has tried on my behalf, and he gets both options when he logs into his own account, but when he tried to log in to my account he just got the text option. This indicates that the email option is not offered to all.

Spoonie_Turtle

GabbaGabbaHey said:

lightbulb2760 said:

and have 100% positive feedback, but if this situation isn't sorted out, I will lose that hard-earned rating

Sellers can only leave Positive feedback for Buyers on eBay, so your 100% positive is not at risk.

They can get a strike for non-payment though.