Land line phone number no longer sufficient for identity verification to sell on ebay

[brandonsvsu]

Maybe I'm the only person left on earth with a land line and who doesn't want to give his cell phone number to a company such as ebay, but I have found out today after a lengthy conversation with an ebay rep that unless I provide ebay with a phone number capable of receiving text messages, my seller payout funds will be put on hold indefinitely.

I find it ridiculous that they can't just call my land line number with an automated message containing a verification code.  Practically every other major company that requires verification offers this.  Ebay?  Nope.  You gotta have a cell phone to sell here.

[dhbookds]

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@s.scharmu0 wrote:

Hi!

    I also have a landline. My cell phone is for  emergencies only when I drive, which I do not do much of.

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yep, me too.........BH has the "smart" phone, but my flip is only for use when I'm alone......very rare.....

[tools*]

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elizabeth@ebay wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

elizabeth@ebay 

I'm sorry, I'm not clear on this.........Is it required to have a text able phone to sell on Ebay? 

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Sorry for the confusion @dhbookds. You do need to have a valid cell phone to sell on eBay. Things such as Google Voice or Text only devices would not work. 

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Google Voice phone numbers can receive text messages, including automated verification texts.

[reallynicestamps]

I have a  smartphone, but like many old people, I often forget to plug it in, so it runs out of battery, or it is lying around somewhere and I can only hope I hear it ring and find it before the caller gives up.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

I have a  smartphone, but like many old people, I often forget to plug it in, so it runs out of battery, or it is lying around somewhere and I can only hope I hear it ring and find it before the caller gives up.

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@reallynicestamps 

Seems like eBay is punishing sellers (new sellers...who knows for senior (veteran established sellers going forward) for not having a cell phone. Due to arthritis and the cost a cell phone is not feasible for me.  I create all my listings on a pc. Even this is becoming a challenge with the constant removal of features for the PC so the app is able to run quicker. Not super helpful in the scheme of things.

-Lotz

[pburn]

And eBay wonders why it's consistently losing sellers quarter after quarter after quarter--not just for this kind of requirement but for the long list of less-than-seller-friendly policies and procedures. 

[a_c_green]

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

I have a  smartphone, but like many old people, I often forget to plug it in, so it runs out of battery, or it is lying around somewhere and I can only hope I hear it ring and find it before the caller gives up.

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@reallynicestamps 

Seems like eBay is punishing sellers (new sellers...who knows for senior (veteran established sellers going forward) for not having a cell phone. Due to arthritis and the cost a cell phone is not feasible for me.  I create all my listings on a pc. Even this is becoming a challenge with the constant removal of features for the PC so the app is able to run quicker. Not super helpful in the scheme of things.

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What features have been removed from the PC/desktop application?

How about partnering with a friend to use their cellphone number for whatever confirmation eBay wants to make? I doubt it would be needed more than once or twice. I assume that eBay has my smartphone number somewhere, but I cannot recall ever receiving anything from them on that number.

[pburn]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

I have a  smartphone, but like many old people, I often forget to plug it in, so it runs out of battery, or it is lying around somewhere and I can only hope I hear it ring and find it before the caller gives up.

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But that's what makes the policy so ludicrous. They require a text-receiving phone, but don't give a care whether they can actually get in touch with you on it. If they send you a text about some vital change, they've done their due diligence even if you never read it. Heaven forbid they would rely on email.

Keep in mind it's all about eBay--always.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@a_c_green wrote:

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@lotzofuniquegoodies wrote:

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

I have a  smartphone, but like many old people, I often forget to plug it in, so it runs out of battery, or it is lying around somewhere and I can only hope I hear it ring and find it before the caller gives up.

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@reallynicestamps 

Seems like eBay is punishing sellers (new sellers...who knows for senior (veteran established sellers going forward) for not having a cell phone. Due to arthritis and the cost a cell phone is not feasible for me.  I create all my listings on a pc. Even this is becoming a challenge with the constant removal of features for the PC so the app is able to run quicker. Not super helpful in the scheme of things.

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What features have been removed from the PC/desktop application?

How about partnering with a friend to use their cellphone number for whatever confirmation eBay wants to make? I doubt it would be needed more than once or twice. I assume that eBay has my smartphone number somewhere, but I cannot recall ever receiving anything from them on that number.

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@a_c_green 

The new listing tool is a shadow now of its former self. Missing colors (Red used to highlight important information in a listing), the current 3 font sizes to choose from. Makes most listings now look very boring and generic. Automatic defaults you have to watch for because they are easily missed. No built in spell check. Terrible HTML editior/removal tool. Those are few that come to mind off the top of my receding hairline. (eBay 95% influenced.)

As for an example of what happens with not having actual customer service (with real dedicated phone operators - contracted agents)  and bots/facebook, see what currently is happening with Southwest Airlines. Due to frustrations like these long time customers go elsewhere. 

-Lotz

[coolections]

@pburn   I cannot see how in this day and age you can manage to do any business at all. It is not just Ebay. I have to receive a text on probably at least 10 "different " sites I use.  A cell phone cost very little for the convienience you get. This is 2023.

[readabouthorses]

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elizabeth@ebay wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

elizabeth@ebay 

I'm sorry, I'm not clear on this.........Is it required to have a text able phone to sell on Ebay? 

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Sorry for the confusion @dhbookds. You do need to have a valid cell phone to sell on eBay. Things such as Google Voice or Text only devices would not work. 

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Well that is interesting. So you want me to give you my cell phone which won't work where I live because of poor reception? What good would that be? And the cell phone I have doesn't get texts because I had to turn them off because they charge for them. And it is in my purse and turned off because it doesn't work where I live. So how do we solve this problem Miss Elizabeth?

[carolynnq]

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@tools* wrote:

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elizabeth@ebay wrote:

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@dhbookds wrote:

elizabeth@ebay 

I'm sorry, I'm not clear on this.........Is it required to have a text able phone to sell on Ebay? 

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Sorry for the confusion @dhbookds. You do need to have a valid cell phone to sell on eBay. Things such as Google Voice or Text only devices would not work. 

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Google Voice phone numbers can receive text messages, including automated verification texts.

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In message #13, Elizabeth said, "...You do need to have a valid cell phone to sell on eBay. Things such as Google Voice or Text only devices would not work. "

It seems to me that having a land line is a better verification of one's identity than a cell phone. On amazon, you can use your land line bill (or other utility bill) as verification. I've had a cell phone for years, but on every site I use (banking, shopping, or whatever), there's an option to receive a verification code via text or email. I don't see why ebay can't do this.

[readabouthorses]

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@coolections wrote:

@pburn   I cannot see how in this day and age you can manage to do any business at all. It is not just Ebay. I have to receive a text on probably at least 10 "different " sites I use.  A cell phone cost very little for the convienience you get. This is 2023.

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Where I live the coverage is so horrible that you are lucky to get one bar (maybe) if you go out into the horse pasture and hold the phone up in the air. Last summer I had some problems with my landline and when the phone repairman came he kept trying and trying to get a signal and he could not even get one bar on his cellphone (not sure what provider he used, I have US Cellular).

And for me it has nothing to with cost. I could afford the most expensive cellphone in the world but it probably would still only get one bar.

[pburn]

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@coolections wrote:

@pburn   I cannot see how in this day and age you can manage to do any business at all. It is not just Ebay. I have to receive a text on probably at least 10 "different " sites I use.  A cell phone cost very little for the convienience you get. This is 2023.

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Can't you? Well, I'll tell you how:  none of the sites on which I conduct business require a cell phone. That's how. I don't need to receive a text on any of them.

The cost of a cell phone has nothing to do with why I choose not to have one, and it's presumptuous of you to think that. You know nothing about me, so you can quit jumping to outrageous conclusions about my financial wherewithal. 

And, yes, I know what year it is. 

Don't @ mention me again for a disrespectful, condescending reply like this.

[coolections]

@pburn 

Please stop with the rude replies. No need for that. I just let you know a cell phone is "cheap" and it is a must to sell on Ebay. If you do not like the fact Ebay makes you have one take it up with them, not me.

[pburn]

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I know what a cell phone costs, and I've already told you it isn't the cost that keeps me from getting one. Is there some way I can make that more clear for you?