The category is not valid, select another category.
Summary: In the discussion, participants express frustration with eBay's categorization issues, particularly in listing items under eBay Motors. One participant mentions challenges in listing window sun shades as the category is deemed invalid, leading them to consider switching to another platform like Facebook Marketplace. Another part of the discussion touches upon eBay's reported removal of virtual currency categories and its past consideration of accepting cryptocurrency as a payment method.
I'm trying to list an item that does not have a clearly defined Ebay category. I have tried consumer electronics > others and computers & networking > other and both throw the same "The category is not valid, select another category" error. If the category is not valid, why is it offered? File this under the many things Ebay could be focusing on fixing versus changing and implanting things that make it more difficult for sellers to list/sell items.
pantherdawg
·2 months agoI haven't listed in a while, just trying to list some window sun shades in eBay Motor under car accessories and this is more than ugly, no matter what I do it says category not valid. I will just quit using eBay. FB Marketplace here I come!!!
chapeau-noir
·2 months agoHave fun on FB Marketplace ::crying with laughter emoji::
newlifece
OP2 years agoFor those throwing out suggestions - you’re completely missing the point. It does not matter what you select for a category - you get the same error message - even when Ebay goes “hey this looks like X - choose Y category†- EBAY turns around and goes this isn’t a valid category. Really? The one you JUST suggested I use? Tried it on three different devices - same result. It’s beyond aggravating.
mam98031
·2 years agoOnly Ebay can resolve this for you, most of us are not experiencing this, so you need Ebay's help to fix it for you.
newlifece
OP2 years agoThis happening again trying to list a security system. PLEASE remove these barriers from sellers listing items - isn’t that the whole point of this site or have you completely lost vision of that too?!
mam98031
·2 years agoThis is a member to member community here. None of us have the power to do that. You need to contact Ebay with your suggestions / issues if you want them resolved.
I would suggest that you contact Ebay for Business on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the better trained CSRs.
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Your options will be on the left. If you use the link below you can only get to the Automated Assistant or Chat box type AGENT in the box and hit enter. You will then get more options. Not all options are available 24/7. It will depend on staffing available. So sometimes you can request a call back and sometimes you can't. Sometimes you have the Chat option available and other times it won't me. If it is important to you to use one of those options, just try back later.
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https://www.ebay.com/help/home
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoThere is a virtual currency and a Miners category under coins and paper money. Have you tried those?
reallynicestamps
·2 years ago@pjcdn2005 Didn't eCommerce Bytes report that eBay was dropping the virtual currency/mining categories?
They were considering allowing crypto (or at least bitcoin) as a payment method, last year or so, I think.
Maybe in investigating the possibility they decided it was a bad idea to have anything to do with crypto at all in any fashion?
Or am I dreaming?
pjcdn2005
·2 years agoI have no idea but if you search crypto hardware wallet there are active listings.
newlifece
OP2 years agoIt’s a crypto hardware wallet. There’s plenty of other listings for it.
nobody*s_perfect
·2 years agoDo a search for your item, and you'll see what category other sellers have used.
Sometimes the error message doesn't match the actual error, such as perhaps this is an item that you can't list on eBay at all.
mam98031
·2 years agoYou need to tell us what you are wanting to sell before we can even begin to try and help you.