The category is not valid, select another category.

[newlifece]

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. 

[mam98031]

You need to tell us what you are wanting to sell before we can even begin to try and help you.

[nobody*s_perfect]

Do 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.

[newlifece]

It’s a crypto hardware wallet. There’s plenty of other listings for it.

[pjcdn2005]

There is a virtual currency and a Miners category  under  coins and paper money.  Have you tried those?

[reallynicestamps]

@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]

I have no idea but if you search crypto hardware wallet there are active listings.

[newlifece]

This 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?!

[newlifece]

For 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 · Accepted solution]

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@newlifece wrote:

This 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?!

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This 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.

Here are your options for contacting Ebay Customer Service.  Please be aware that for social media CS, you send them a Private Message and briefly explain what your problem or issue is.  Feel free to leave your Name, address, phone number and/or your email address in this message.  It is private and secure and it may help to speed up the response for you.

https://twitter.com/askebay

https://www.facebook.com/eBay/

https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/

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.

If you use a cell phone or other mobile device, you may need to turn off your Spam filter so that Ebay can call you.

If you are a seller outside of the US or Canada, you will need to use the Chat Option.

https://www.ebay.com/help/home

[mam98031]

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@newlifece wrote:

For 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. 

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Only Ebay can resolve this for you, most of us are not experiencing this, so you need Ebay's help to fix it for you.