How do I get rid of the temporary buying restrictions so I can bid on an auction?

Question

I recently joined eBay and have been unable to bid on auctions despite adding a credit card to the account.

mr_lincoln · Answer

Hi @danwenz57

Here is a link to the eBay Help Pages on Buying limits:

"A buying restriction means you won't be able to make any purchases on eBay. It is usually placed on an account due to a possible policy violation.

If you have a buying restriction on your account, you won't be able to buy items or bid on auctions until the issue is resolved."

woodland_gnome · Answer

How many auctions have you bid on that are still running (and are you aware that your bid is active and can win even if you are outbid)? What error message are you getting when you try to bid?

A message that you can not place a bid (offer) but can use Buy It Now if it requires immediate payment seems to be associated with running into your Open Transaction Limits. To get below your limits you need to pay for the outstanding unpaid items that now count towards your limits, but that might not be immediately possible because eBay counts items that you committed to buy but cannot pay for at this time against your limits:

1. At least some active auctions that you have bid on (including the one you are trying to rebid on). Originally only those you were in the lead on counted, but it is very likely that the rules have changed since they were last made public to include your outbid bids on running auctions and also any pending Best Offer. To minimize the effect of these wait until near the end of the auction to bid only one time at your TRUE maximum you are willing to pay for the item, and then pay immediately after it ends, to minimize the time it counts towards your limit. You can't pay until you win, so don't use up your open transactions on bids you can't pay for until hours or days later. Waiting to bid also keeps your options open (once you bid you are committed to that auction and can win and have to pay even if you are outbid during the auction--exception if it is still "Reserve not met" after you bid) so you can safely bid on an auction that ends earlier or jump on a great Buy It Now price that gets listed in the interim.

2. Transactions cancelled at your request (or due to problems with your address). Note that these also can result in lowering the limit, so make sure you are going to buy (and CAN buy, that the item ships to your location) BEFORE you commit to buying.

3. Unpaid Item Strikes. Again, don't bid/commit to buy unless you KNOW you can and will pay for every item.

To get these and other buying limits raised or removed in the long run you need to establish a pattern of reliably paying for what you commit to buy.

twinkling.smile · Answer

@danwenz57

Did you receive an email with instructions?

If not, scroll to the bottom of https://www.ebay.com/help/account/contact-ebay/contact-ebay?id=4379

Click on "Contact usâ€.

Add â€˜agent' in the chat box that popped up.

Answer questions if showing up.

Find the agent, maybe under "More actions".

Make a choice for a chat or a call to you.

Ask what you need to do.

Good luck.