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Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Hey Guys,

after selling on eBay for about a month, I got a call saying that the coffee makers I was selling were 'high risk". I told the lady that I was buying them from Overstock, because I was, and she said to just fax in receipts of the purchases and everything would be fine.

I did that, and 4 days later got a message saying that I was indefinitely suspended. After calling them back in shock, I learned that a) my documents were denied, and b) there's no way to talk to the people who review accounts on the phone.

So, out of all the items I had listed (about 20 sales), they targeted coffee makers. No idea how coffee is high risk....pretty annoyed, but really want to make eBay work.

My questions:

1. If I begin using this stealth method, how long can I expect accounts to last? I don't want to build up feedback and selling history just to have it all washed away again.

2. How high (and how quickly) can I get the selling limits increased?

3. What about when tax time rolls around and Paypal tries to send 1099s?

4. My current PayPal account is still active. I've had it for quite awhile. Is there any risk of that being limited as well? I don't expect my buyers to have any complaints, as the items are all legit and have been delivered promptly.

Thanks!
Matt

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

If your item was branded, then that is the likely reason for the suspension. Talk is cheap from ebay staff.

My questions:

Like asking how long is a piece of string. Accounts will last as long as the seller handles the ebay game correctly. Learn that, and you will be in the game for a long time.

When you learn to walk. Lots to read and understand about running a new account on ebay.

Since that paypal is associated with a suspended ebay it should not be used near ebay again.

Questions are good. You do need to read the forum to increase your own understanding. Do not rush into making any new account until you are confident.

:mod:

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Let me guess... They were keurig.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

It totally depends. I still have a stealth account I set up about 5 years ago. I have several that are more than 3 years old.

How long they last depends on how you treat your customers, WHAT you are selling and a bit of good luck thrown in for good measure. Sometimes you can do everything right and STILL lose an account.

Popular brand name items are always going to be problematic because counterfeits exist. Even if your merchandise is 100% authentic, they could still be suspicious.

Ditto for any items eBay defines as "high-risk". Anything that can be ⊗⊗⊗⊗d, such as jewelry, is considered high-risk. Autographs and coins are some other iffy categories. And, even if the item in question is not a brand name and cannot be ⊗⊗⊗⊗d, the higher the dollar amounts involved, the more closely they will look at you.

Most of my accounts that have survived are selling non-branded items that cost no more than $25. I keep the higher-dollar stuff on a VERY solid account that I have had for a long time. And I avoid selling any brands that are known to be problematic.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yep. Do people get banned selling those a lot?

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

How were u selling all on one account or do u have many accounts and spread the sales out??

If this was just from one account u won't last in ebay , u need to fly under the radar , did u do anything like call in or have many sales on one account to get a Manuel review and asked for invoices.

If u open many accounts and sell a little over multiple accounts u have a better chance of not breaking ebay a radar and in that case they have no idea what u r selling or doing ur basically invisible once u trip up there security software u get a human eye on ur account and they will find everything wrong it's unbelievable , u could be getting emails saying congrats ur a TRS , etc and when a human looks at it u get the oposite from congrats to limitation

So become like a stealth fighter and avoid all radar and fly nice and smooth

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

I have my original stealth from 2003 long before any of us knew what stealth actually was.

10 years old and still running strong.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Yeah I sold 4 of them over the course of 3 days. Got asked for invoices which I faxed in within a couple hours, and now they say my appeal and the receipts were denied.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

That's amazing Sandy D!
Nice job!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

And I have my original 1995 account.

I baby them both to pieces.

The stealth from 2003 I am extremely careful with because I believe I created what was maybe the first stealth account and did it playing around trying to see if I can make an account with different details.

What I did not know is the giant I had created back then.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Some lasted not even 24h when I made newbie mistakes. My longest stealth is 12 months now.

It is important to invest time in doing it right the first time. I cut corners on some accounts I made and later you have to spend time with ebay or pp trying to sort out red flags your accounts has triggered.

Once you have the method, then you are good.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

I agree once u have the technique of making and operating stealth down , that constant fear goes away of waiting for that MC999, when I first started I had 2 accounts taken down because of a link, but that was 8 months since any problems like that, I'm now going on almost 11 months stealth , my original account lasted 2 months but just 6 weeks of selling

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

All in the learning curve of stealth.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Everyone repeat after me:

Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!
Shortcuts are the KISS OF DEATH!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Wow after I said it 5 times Meg Whitman appeared in my mirror!!

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Stealth accounts operated well - low risk sales, slowly building, good customer service, etc. - can be expected to last for years.

Takes time to understand the method. Good luck OP

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

my oldest account now is about 1 year and a few months.

but i have lost a few accounts due to paypal stop accepting my payments and wanting a EIN or SSN then i would have to get another Stealth account and work to build those new accounts up again until i reach 200 or more transaction and then i have to start all over again..

but i have become very good at flying under the radar but i put so much hard work into those perfectly good stealth accounts i hate that i have to move on to another.

so i dont see how all those saying they have accounts that or 3yrs and 5yrs and older are still running without paypal asking for EIN or SSN..so maybe you guys know something i dont

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

so in short the expected lifespan of a stealth accounts if you have 10 or more if you spread your sales throughout each they will last about 1 1/2 years before paypal comes knocking because you reached 200 transactions or 20k in sales

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

Users supply EIN to stealth accounts.

That is doable.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

ok i will try that but i thought EIN numbers will be trace back to you because it is required that you put a SSN when creating an EIN

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

@krimson

You supply the SSN to create the EIN.

IRS only sees the SSN and gives you an EIN to use for paypal.

Re: Expected lifespan of stealth accounts
 

got it thanks a lot if this works you are a lifesaver