Can Anyone Help????

[upacreek]

Hello Everyone...I found this site about 6 days ago and have continously been reading through all the forums and cutting and pasting info. like crazy to take in all the advice and wisdom. I am trying to be so careful to follow every step from the guide and forum info.

I am so stuck on the merchant account. I regret to say I have only ever known paypal. I am not real savvy with computers or all this new info. but i am trying so hard. I have looked through all the recommendations of merchant accounts and looked into their terms, etc. I liked the ccnow but tried calling today and the # is no longer in service. I read from a while back of Aspkin suggesting Merchant Plus. In reading through these forums it seems--at least that most people sell alot in large volumes. I sell mabey 2 items a week at $250-$300 each. I would like to create 10 different ebay accounts though so in case this happens again I have some place else to list while I work on more--used to only having 1 ebay, 1 paypal. I really would appreciate any suggestion of a good one for low volume seller with low fees, etc. and that is very user-friendly--most importantly.

I have read time and time again trying to grab the merchant account understanding and have a few questions if someone could help--I am trying to understand this system and am really struggling.

Do I give merchant account all my personal "real" info. and bank account info.? I know this must sound obvious but in Aspkin's guide, I read with paypal you can keep your routing # the same but mix up a few acct.#'s.

Is there any way ebay can find out who you really are in way behind that merchant account in any way? When I say I want to create 10 ebay accounts with different user names I can keep the same merchant account for all of them right? It seems I would have to supply them with all my email address and id names on those auctions so they could "handle" them???--I just can't get my head out of the way paypal did it.

Any merchant services that invoice or do I have to do it? I really am ot familiar at invoicing at all!!

I was planning to use Auctiva to set up my auction listings. If I do, is it better to use their checkout or the merchant's? Do I have to be careful with what IP I use when just formatting the auctions on Auctiva because when I send them to ebay to list they will carry over the IP I used to create them or will the "new" IP I use to log into Ebay to place them in auction be the one ebay sees?

If one or more of my accounts gets cancelled and suspended, can I leave my merchant account the same or will ebay know they are tied in together and can track me back--I see others on here saying they have more than 1 merchant or checkout account and I wonder what the reason is??

I have never been called to verify anything with ebay--by phone or otherwise so I am going ot try the tossabledigits and forward to cell phone--I have never needed or heard of such a service so I hope all goes well.

I am so sorry for the long novel and my ignorance. I truly am a "newbie" and never thought this would happen. I would sincerely appreciate anyone who could share their thoughts and wisdom. Thanks in advance.

[aspkin]

upacreek, Merchant Plus is definitely an option, I use it my self with my eBay accounts. I use it with Auctivia and it works fine.

[upacreek]

Thank you so much for the back-up that i'm in the right direction--this seems so overwhelming right now.

I give my "real" info. to merchant acct?

I don't have to give every username and email address for these acct.'s to merchant--just my name? I guess i'm still lost on how they will know it's "my" money they are taking in under all these different id's and email addresses.

Can create auctions online in Autiva using DSL and not worry about the IP address in creating them--just the IP when I log on to move them to ebay?

If ebay suspends 1 of my accounts out of 10 running merchant acct. is still okay to use for all the others and not catch on to anything/problem with ebay?

Merchant plus doesn't "share" or link any of my "real" info. to ebay--ever????

Just want to verify!?!? Thanks much

[penny]

upacreek,
This was/is all very confusing and overwhelming for me too...so I completely understand!!!
Yes, you do give your real name for the merchant account. They have to do a credit check on you. They ask for your social and a copy of your voided check and a copy of your d.l. ( I have merchant plus also). They also asked me for my ebay screenname. I gave them the old one that was suspended and they never asked any questions.
I sell under a number of different screen names, so when the auctions end, I send out invoices to direct the person to my cc processor. I'm sure there is an easier way so you won't have to send out your own invoices, but I am not there yet.
With auctiva, you do not have to worry about your ip address.
Ebay does not know your merchant account info., the transaction is completed outside of ebay. All they know is that you have a merchant account, so if they suspend one account, you can keep going with other accounts using the same merchant account.
Merchant plus does not share your info., I think that is illegal.
Hope this helps!!

[upacreek]

Hi Penny. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and info. I don't know why this all seems so overwhelming for me. I am reading all these posts and trying to follow them to the letter but still feel bewildered. I should say I'm not suspended--YET. I have an account and my husband has an account. I just had set his up and listed 1 item..within 2 hours they pulled the auction and he got a suspension notice. Paypal account at the same time got "limited use" and wanted proof of himself--I guess, and we sent it all to them--I hadn't found this forum yet and didn't know any better!! I don't know what prompted this. Anyway, 2 days ago we got notice from ebay and paypal that his paypal account was restored and ebay reinstated him. Sounds fishy and i'm afraid to use them again--he and I used our "real" info. to set up these accounts, same computers and IP's etc., until this forum, I hadn't a clue!!! During this, all my listings were cancelled--no idea why, something about going against the spirit of policy, but I wasn't suspended.

I just want to go this route now and am so appreciative of all the help.
When I sign up for this merchant account, I will give them my old auction name as you said but can you please tell me how they know who I am under all these different email and id's that I will use in my auctions--is it because I invoice them?? Sorry this sounds dumb but I just can't grab it and don't want to error in doing this merchant thing in any way.

The Auctiva I don't have to worry in any way what "IP" I create the listings on?
To do my photos, I always have just uploaded them from my camera to my Kodak software and transferred them to ebay--should I use photobucket or is my kodak album still an ok way to do it?

Any thoughts are appreciated!! Thanks!!!

[upacreek]

Oh, sorry 1 more question. Since I plan to use Auctiva can I do invoicing thru there instead of merchant plus? I'm not sure if merchant plus places a checkout button at the end of your auctions for buyers to redirect themselves? Thanks!!

[octagon69]

Ummm if you have read regarding Merchant Plus and other merchant accounts. Ebay wants you verify the merchant account by faxing them some form of account statement from your merchant account. I haven't read anything on anyone getting through this yet. I wouldn't rush to sign up for a merchant plus account considering if it doesn't fly by ebay you will be stuck with a 350$ cancellation fee if you cancel before a year and 250 if its before 3 years.

[upacreek]

OH GREAT!!! How does everyone get through this then with Merchant Accounts and Ebay--it I give them my real info.--i'm done and may have just tried screwing with paypal. I thought the point of the merchant account was to avoid giving ebay your real identifying info.

What do you suggest??? Thanks

[Chris Hanson]

Ebay Employee????:( suspect^^

UPACReek is asking waaay too many suspect questions. I suspect its an Ebay Employee. be careful of what you tell this person..

UPACREEK said
"I see others on here saying they have more than 1 merchant or checkout account and I wonder what the reason is??"

???? Suspect...Why does it matter??

UPACREEK Said:
" I am so sorry for the long novel and my ignorance. I truly am a "newbie" and never thought this would happen"

Reverse psychology
Truly huh. Trying to make it believable,but your questions has no thought behind it

[tvaughan08]

Originally Posted by upacreek

Hello Everyone...I found this site about 6 days ago and have continously been reading through all the forums and cutting and pasting info. like crazy to take in all the advice and wisdom. I am trying to be so careful to follow every step from the guide and forum info.

I am so stuck on the merchant account. I regret to say I have only ever known paypal. I am not real savvy with computers or all this new info. but i am trying so hard. I have looked through all the recommendations of merchant accounts and looked into their terms, etc. I liked the ccnow but tried calling today and the # is no longer in service. I read from a while back of Aspkin suggesting Merchant Plus. In reading through these forums it seems--at least that most people sell alot in large volumes. I sell mabey 2 items a week at $250-$300 each. I would like to create 10 different ebay accounts though so in case this happens again I have some place else to list while I work on more--used to only having 1 ebay, 1 paypal. I really would appreciate any suggestion of a good one for low volume seller with low fees, etc. and that is very user-friendly--most importantly.

I have read time and time again trying to grab the merchant account understanding and have a few questions if someone could help--I am trying to understand this system and am really struggling.

Do I give merchant account all my personal "real" info. and bank account info.? I know this must sound obvious but in Aspkin's guide, I read with paypal you can keep your routing # the same but mix up a few acct.#'s.

Is there any way ebay can find out who you really are in way behind that merchant account in any way? When I say I want to create 10 ebay accounts with different user names I can keep the same merchant account for all of them right? It seems I would have to supply them with all my email address and id names on those auctions so they could "handle" them???--I just can't get my head out of the way paypal did it.

Any merchant services that invoice or do I have to do it? I really am ot familiar at invoicing at all!!

I was planning to use Auctiva to set up my auction listings. If I do, is it better to use their checkout or the merchant's? Do I have to be careful with what IP I use when just formatting the auctions on Auctiva because when I send them to ebay to list they will carry over the IP I used to create them or will the "new" IP I use to log into Ebay to place them in auction be the one ebay sees?

If one or more of my accounts gets cancelled and suspended, can I leave my merchant account the same or will ebay know they are tied in together and can track me back--I see others on here saying they have more than 1 merchant or checkout account and I wonder what the reason is??

I have never been called to verify anything with ebay--by phone or otherwise so I am going ot try the tossabledigits and forward to cell phone--I have never needed or heard of such a service so I hope all goes well.

I am so sorry for the long novel and my ignorance. I truly am a "newbie" and never thought this would happen. I would sincerely appreciate anyone who could share their thoughts and wisdom. Thanks in advance.

First before I entertain this, I never heard of a newbie that asked all the right questions. I feel that your ebay employee spying in here as normal for a number of reasons. First of all when newbies come here normally there 1 or 2 things has happen #1 there ebay account was suspended or number 2# There paypal account was limited. 95% of newbies are not geared up for a merchant account process, Isn't it really funny that you started off this whole little spill starting off with merchant account questions and its very funny that ebay's is doing business diffrently with merchant accounts as we speak but they haven't really got it under control.

Also I would like to point out and let me quote "I sell mabey 2 items a week at $250-$300 each. I would like to create 10 different ebay accounts though so in case this happens again I have some place else to list while I work on more--used to only having 1 ebay, 1 paypal"

This shows me that if you know the ebay system well to be ready to make 10 ebay accounts and I haven't seen a newbie yet that was ready to manage 10ebay accounts, there barely keeping 1 account from being suspended so you being a newbie "I think not"

Also I would like to quote "Any merchant services that invoice or do I have to do it? I really am not familiar at invoicing at all" I think this is just another attempt to find out information about merchant accounts so ebay can stop that also.

Also I would like to quote yet another question that is suspect "I was planning to use Auctiva to set up my auction listings. If I do, is it better to use their checkout or the merchant's? Do I have to be careful with what IP I use when just formatting the auctions on Auctiva because when I send them to ebay to list they will carry over the IP I used to create them or will the "new" IP I use to log into Ebay to place them in auction be the one ebay sees"

I don't think this is a newbie question, normally newbies have questions like "what is a ip" So again I think this is a cheap attempt to get this forum members to spill information"

And you have to use reverse psychology to make use beleive u right so I would like to quote the last line "I am so sorry for the long novel and my ignorance. I truly am a "newbie" and never thought this would happen. I would sincerely appreciate anyone who could share their thoughts and wisdom. Thanks in advance"


The big problem with this line....YOU NEVER TOLD US WHAT HAPPEN !!!

[upacreek]

I'm sorry you misunderstand. I posted in the thread using CCNow as an alternative--gave a little info there.
I ask so many questions because I spent 6 days as I mentioned cutting and pasting all the info. in these forums and still couldn't get it. Unlike most people in here I am not a powerseller or make my livelihood on ebay, I just liked to sell certain things I had there that I buy on closeout--I don't buy many--just lucky I am able to get what I do from an inside "source".

I never had a problem until my husband listed 1 of the items to get him started with ebay/paypal--almost immediately, we received an ebay suspension--listing was removed and Paypal was limited. After a few days, paypal limitation was removed and suspension lifted. I don't trust this anymore and during that time I found your forum. I first read the repeative, mindless sticky and read through as thoroughly as I could.

I have no knowledge barely of how a computer runs, etc. I took for granted you just got an ebay account/paypal account and you were good to go unless of course you were doing or selling something illegal then something may happen--other than that, I never knew any of this that I learned here--even that competitors could go around getting you suspended for no reason.

When I say I'm very new, I meant it--this is why I can't understand 1/4 of what everyone is saying. With each forum topic I read, I cut and pasted parts to a word document, read and re-read the info. everyone was giving and I was just left more and more bewildered--I read through forum where people asked questions and were told the answers within the forum--find it, so I tried to do all my research first before asking questions.

I'm flattered that I still don't understand 80% of how I can accomplish what all of you are doing--even after carefully reading through all these forum questions, yet, you suspect I work for ebay???? All the questions I asked are directly from things I read in the forums of how I am supposed to do things yet I don't have the slightest clue how--I can turn on a computer, go where I need to go, etc., but when it comes to a problem like this, I am clueless and was searching for info. how to be able to securely sell the few things I do on a regular basis. I can cut and paste our suspension notice if it helps.

[ebayhateluv]

HI- Dont know whats up- but we're all here just to try to sell our goods, learn from each other- our mistakes and downfalls, get sales to support our families, it is Christmas so some of us are scurrying, worrying right now if our kids will even have a Christmas.. so if you are from ebay- have a heart- we're doing nothing wrong. we have no alternative, as ebay doesnt even answer our emails. UNfortunately, ebay has the online market cornered, monopolized. IN my case- I was a 5 yr, 100% 3000 fb Gold Power seller, I wrote directly to Meg@ebay- still got a canned response. Put the shoe on the other foot....

[Rosanna]

yep that is right. most are not doing anything illegal and have families to help. so wheres the spirit of the season, most of us probably have the best customer service on ebay, but get shut down because we are not a large corporation who spend 50000 a month in fees. anyway if you are an ebay employee and are not here to help or be honest you are just wasting time.

[upacreek]

I am shocked and amazed I'm thought to be from ebay!!! I was here to get help like everyone else!!! What was I supposed to be asking??? I explained myself in my most recent post. What is this forum for then. If i'm affiliated with ebay wouldn't I already know all this and not have to ask? What would your answers do for me? Any ebay employee could come in here and read everything everyone has written and know how to catch everybody--info. is right here in the wide open or they could pay to subscribe to the private forum--which i'm glad I didn't do last night as it would have been a complete waste of my money as it's apparent i'm being seen as some under cover agent and am not going to get any hep from anyone here.

I am totally befuddled. How does anybody in here "really" know who they're talking to. I even thought about that before I asked for help. I'm sorry that I haven't been around this block yet and didn't know ANY of the in's and out's, again what I thought asking questions in this forum was for. I guess everyone else in this forum knew exactly what they were doing when this first happened to them--I must be a first,yet I see everyone asking the same questions--just scattered in different placesand no-one else is accused of this.

I can't believe I came on here to receive help and support and all i'm sitting here doing is trying to justify having no affiliation that I am being accused of--I even offered a copy of my suspension letter!!!

I'm in the same boat as everyone else, it's just side income for me and not a living like it seems to be for most others. I didn't realize you had to come here with prior knowledge and criteria to join in without looking suspicious. I read in here of alot of things members can do through their computer with all that vast knowledge--why doesn't someone search me out, then you'd see. Thanks for all the help!!!