eBay users! I have a question. I was going to register the other

[1monster]

evening, but stopped the process when I learned I would have to put credit or debit info, including the three digit security code on the registration. This is not something I ever do unless I'm ordering, and I feel uncomfortable with it.

I want to bid on an item, which by the way is payable only by USPS money order.

What I want to know: Is there anyway around posting my credit/debit card info and if not, what has your experience been on eBay with this requirement?

[Maraya1969]

1. I registered a long time ago and I use paypal. They have my bank

account number and I have never had a problem with them. I think EBAY is really safe. Just make sure you STAY on EBAY when filling things out.

Can you share what you want to buy? I never heard of having to send a money order.

[pitohui]

3. it's probably a small seller

when i first sold on ebay i only took checks, cash, and money order, and some people only took money orders because of the fear of bounced checks and lost cash

these days with paypal so easy, almost everyone takes it, but if the price of an item is REALLY low, the paypal fees will kill you

so a small seller might ask only for money order

[1monster]

5. A violin, sold by a private seller, not one of the places that dump loads

of them on eBay.

[pitohui]

2. no there is no longer a way around it to my knowledge

way back in the day you could register and then send a small fee by check or money order to ebay -- this to cover your listing fees if you decided to sell rather than to buy

after a few years they notified me that i would have to register a credit card to continue to sell there so i did

if all you want to do is bid, and never to sell items, then maybe try to sign up without putting in the credit card info and see what happens?

the credit card i registered with is expired, yet my account is still active for buying and browsing, is why i think it might work

give it a try and let us know?

[AllegroRondo]

4. ebay does that to make sure you're a real person

they've had problems with people opening multiple accounts under different names, then bidding on their own stuff to drive up prices. Also, it ensures they will get their money if you ever decide to list something.

What I do - get a generic prepaid gift card, for $50 or even less. It works just like a regular credit card, but only for the amount you pre-pay into it. I use one for registering for sites, or paying those small fees for listing items on eBay or Etsy. That way, if someone does get your card info, the most they can take is the small amount you have on it. Even then, you're covered like a normal card.

As far as the seller only taking a money order, its probably someone new who doesnt have PayPal set up yet. If its a relatively inexpensive item, I wouldnt worry about it. When I started selling in 1998, there was no PayPal, and everything was money orders or cashiers checks by mail.

[1monster]

6. Thank you! Great idea! I'm gonna call my bank today!