eBid want my home telephone number to contact me?

[marzipan]

A few weeks ago I registered with eBid (been with eBay for two years and I'm a powerseller).

I decided to sell some things this week on eBid so tried to log in to my eBid account but I got an error message. So I had my password and username emailed to me, then copied and pasted it from the email into the website.... But I still can't log in. I then sent eBid Support an email and got the following reply:

"Hi, Can you please provide us with your home landline telephone number, so as we are able to contact you."

I've never bid or sold before on eBid so why on earth do I need to wait for someone to phone me. If I could sign in to my account, I could add my phone number.

What do I do next? Do I have to email eBid my landline number and wait for a phone call?

Until eBid sort out these problems, it will never be able to compete with eBay, the website is just so user unfriendly. I've posted this message here because there is more visits to this thread and hope someone can help???

[gazlannathai]

It's probably part of the account verification process - email them your number and see what they say.

[marzipan]

Thanks for the quick reply - I have just sent them my number. I don't normally like to give out my landline because I'm ex-directory and hate telesales companies ringing me.

I hope this works.

[fivebyfive]

Thanks for the quick reply - I have just sent them my number. I don't normally like to give out my landline because I'm ex-directory and hate telesales companies ringing me.

I hope this works.

they probably just want to verify you are who you say you are oh and welcome to ebid

[Stu_Millard]

I don't get this requirement to hand over a phone number. What if you don't have a landline? I know at least one person who uses the internet but has no landline (connects through a cable package) so it's not always a pertinent thing to ask for - and as stated, there are the obvious data protection issues. I certainly wouldn't hand over my number, it's both ex-directory and registered with the Telephone Preference service to reduce unwanted calls.....

[mrscheeks]

standard practise with both this auction site and the opposition - espit.

you MUST provide a phone number as part of the registration process. This is in case of there being a problem whereby either party in a transaction needs to contact the other and electronic communication has been unsuccessful.

I have used it both on Espit and here when I have been scammed by a sellar and they were not answering emails.

You can add a mobile phone number btw ... its not just landline that it accepts.

Its also stated clearly in the T&C's that they will NOT give your details to 3rd parties .... ie. sell your info on to cold calling companies. The only person who will be able to request your number will be someone you have done a transaction with and in these instances BOTH parties are emailed with each others information.

xxx

[Stu_Millard]

You can ask eBid to not give your phone number out. I have, and they've agreed to my request (having explained the circumstances of why I wanted it withheld).