USA account, can't add foreign card

[alexjo_8593]

Hi,

I am an American living in Germany, been here 10 years now. I visited my mother last month  in the USA. My mother is moving out of my childhood house, so I took a few of my old things and sold them on eBay during the visit, reregistering my account as an American account. 

I have my money waiting for me on Ebay, but I cannot get it. I do not have an American credit card or bank, and it does not accept if I enter my German Bank or Credit card. If I change my location to my Germany address, it just tells me that I need to change my address back to the United States - presumably having something to do with dollar to Euro conversions.

So without an American card I cannot get the money that is sitting there. What options do I have? When I signed up I just assumed it would not be a problem or I could use my paypal account. 

Thanks!

Alex

[bonjourami]

Wow thats a tough one, you are in between a rock and a hard place. Whatever state you used to register your American account, your funds will eventually be sent to that states unclaimed property division. So you will have to watch for that. Its usually posted online.Unless somebody comes in with a better idea, I dont know of any other way you can collect your funds.You cant even use your mothers bank account here because the name on your account has to match the name on the bank info,unless she adds you to her bank account..

[fab_finds4u]

If you are registered in the US, and sold something then you must link a checking account for payouts. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

What about one of those online accounts.  I am not sure if Chime would be one of them. Perhaps someone can put the names of those online bank accounts here.

Otherwise, I would suggest that you write to Ebay via Facebook for help. You would send a MESSAGE to them inside the Ebay facebook page. DO NOT write anything where a stranger can read details.  You are just going to let the Ebay Facebook folks your name, ebay name and email address.  Do not give out soc.security #.

[downunder-61]

I don't think Chime is eBay friendly, but I agree, I read many sellers here advise to open a free online checking account, you can do that from where ever you are, I assume, so long as you can prove your ID.

I do wish eBay could just click that button to STOP anyone from listing until verification of Bank, SSN etc is marked against the account, but then I guess they may lose money if they protect a new seller like that.

[bonjourami]

Op is in Germany, cant open a bank acct here.

[alexjo_8593]

How annoying that there is no simple solution. Thank you for the help everyone. Not really sure what I am going to do. Thank goodness I sold just a few games and not something like a car, lol. 

[ms.rodriguez*]

Is there a bank in Germany that also has branches in the USA?   I know that Citibank is in various countries. Perhaps someone in one of those branches in Germany can help you.   Or is it possible for your mother to add your name to  her account?