Well, it finally happened.

[oneblindcat]

I don't have a phone of any kind. The number ebay has on file is an old analogue cellphone from way back when I first opened an account. I've been avoiding the "Confirm your number" button on the sign in page because of that. Well, I just hit that button by mistake.

Sooner or later ebay is going to demand that I confirm my account by texting a code to that nonexistent number,  and I won't be able to log in to my account. Then what?

Is there any way for me to tell ebay that I don't have a freakin' phone before they lock me out of

my account?

I don't have any social media accounts, either, so Facebook isn't the answer.

I'm not a technophobe, I use tech where it does a better job in meeting my needs.

[2013grotz]

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@oneblindcat wrote:

Sooner or later ebay is going to demand that I confirm my account by texting a code to that nonexistent number,  and I won't be able to log in to my account. Then what?

I've run into that with a ton of services right now, including Paypal, which actually pulled that with me.  If the system isn't explicitly designed for a cell phone, they should be able to deal with it if you call them up voice-wise.  Paypal (in stark comparison to ebay) actually had a very professional CSR that handled the problem pretty quickly and I was back into my account.

But it's pretty unfortunate that a lot of companies are now assuming that you have a smart phone (for example, I got a gas station company rewards program that I can't look at or use) and have effectively locked their systems out for anyone that doesn't. 

Personally, I just don't want the expense and the crimp to life that having one of those things represents.

[mudshark61369 · Accepted solution]

@oneblindcat,

There is usually an option to receive a verification code by email so make sure the one for this account is up to date.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@oneblindcat 

Wow, no phone at all? What would happen if you needed help or home invasion or fire?

I can really see not having social media sites, but a phone?

You can go to any dollar store and purchase a cheap one and buy minutes. This not having a phone number business may come back to bite you, I would at least get some type of phone # to give to ebay ( even though they deserve a Fisher price phone at times) and after that don't buy anymore minutes for the phone.

[oneblindcat]

I have a  working but inactive Samsung S4. It will call 911, that's all I need.

[bearswatching]

Not judging, not my place. But how do you stay in contact with family and friends? Really curious.

[oneblindcat]

email, in person, webchat...

I rarely if ever need to talk to anyone when I'm away from home.

I worked night shift all my life, got tired of junk calls at 0100 (my time) wanting to tell me about some "exciting opportunity". When I retired, I let my cell phone lapse.

It. Is. Heaven!

[soh.maryl]

Finally, another person without a cell phone! I now know of five of us.

I do have a landline, however.  

[maxine*j]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Finally, another person without a cell phone! I now know of five of us.

I do have a landline, however.  

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@soh.maryl 

If you count me, you know five and a half.  Nine years ago I bought an LG flip-phone for $20 from TracFone, and I use TracPhone prepaid minutes at cost of less than $8 a month, including tax.  I now have over 600 minutes available, because the minutes never expire. I  replaced the battery once, at a cost of about $4. 

If I must, I can text using the keypad and have done so a few times. There's a camera and video, neither of which I have ever used.  I can access the internet with it, but I never have. There's an icon for "music" and I don't even know what that is.

So for very little money, I have what I want and need:  A phone to make and receive calls if I'm not at home to use the landline, and to text and receive texts, in situations where that's handy. 

I'll use the phone until it dies, at which time I'll buy something similar.

=

[lamber9347]

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Finally, another person without a cell phone! I now know of five of us.

I do have a landline, however.  

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You can half count me too. I maintain a landline. Shh-h-h-h, I actually do have a smart phone that no one knows I have. My doctors office, library, dentist, utilities, etc, have all been told I don't have a mobile phone. I either supply my landline or my email address. It's worth it for the looks of horror I receive. I laugh as I walk to my car....

[maxine*j]

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@lamber9347 wrote:

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@soh.maryl wrote:

Finally, another person without a cell phone! I now know of five of us.

I do have a landline, however.  

---

You can half count me too. I maintain a landline. Shh-h-h-h, I actually do have a smart phone that no one knows I have. My doctors office, library, dentist, utilities, etc, have all been told I don't have a mobile phone. I either supply my landline or my email address. It's worth it for the looks of horror I receive. I laugh as I walk to my car....

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@lamber9347 

I tell most people / businesses / offices that I do not have a mobile phone.   I have it to use occasionally and strictly on my own terms, and when it rings I want it to be one of the couple of dozen people / offices that I've given the number to. 

I get enough annoying calls on the landline, and I don't need more on the cell phone.

 =