I haven't sold on eBay in a while.
EBay/Managed Payments and Paypal before it, puts a Hold on new, occasional and returning sellers.
Until you've been selling for 90 days and sold 25 items your payments will be held until tracking shows delivered, or in 21 days if there's no tracking. They can hold the payment for the full 21 days if you're selling in a high risk category. For non-US sellers this seems to be 30 days.
I checked my deposit preferences, bank account and PayPal. I
Have you set up a Managed Payments account? Paypal is no longer in play for sellers (although Buyers are still using it.)
This is another reason eBay puts that Hold on returning sellers. Most are unaware of the changeover ~two years ago.
There have been other changes returnees are unaware of. You'd be amazed at how many returning sellers are unaware that they cannot leave negative feedback for buyers. Nevermind suddenly discovering that eIS means they ship overseas.
tried setting my bank, again as my deposit preference, instead it set some kind of eBay selling costs as my bank preferences and to five dollars out of my account.
That sounds like you chose to use microdeposits as identification. You will need your SSN and a second form of ID. If the micro-deposit is not working, try using your passport or driving license.
And all your names must match.
If your name is John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith,
you cannot have a bank account as J J Jingleheimer Smith ,
a Managed Payment account as John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith,
and an eBay account as JJJ Smith.
I tried talking to customer service, they really didn't have any help to offer.
On the phone? Don't bother.
The phone reps have a terrible reputation for getting you off the phone as soon as possible even if that means giving you the advice you want to hear instead of the advice you need to have.
https://www.facebook.com/eBayForBusiness/ — Message button in upper right on landing page.
https://twitter.com/askebay?lang=en
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/How-do-I-contact-Customer-Support/m-p/32016431#M1783851 -> Automated Assistant, type AGENT -> enter. You will then get more options.
The social media Chat accounts are covered by trained eBay employees with some authority.
And you get a transcript so you can compare what you heard with what you were told.
Start by asking for a Managed Payments specialist. Read the transcripts.
Because social media Chats are slow, write out your question and proofread it before posting it, you have lots of time.
You may find the weekend is not the best time, not because the agents are any worse (or in Manila) but because there are fewer working and more confused sellers calling.
