comments on new accounts

[Silent Sam]

Hello everyone. I'm not aware if this has already been brought to light as of yet on this site.

I've been seeing a lot of post from people who have been getting their new stealth seller accounts restricted after attempting to list their first item or items. The culprit more than likely is not any mistake on your part, if you in fact know what you're doing of course.

I began experiencing the same issue during the beginning of this year. I would create a new stealth account and attempt to list my first item, only to have my listing removed and account restricted (MC999) shortly after listing that item or after successfully listing several items . I would immediately be discouraged and conclude that I must have made some mistake and had my accounts linked.

This continued to occur a few more times before I finally decided to make the dreaded call to customer service and I was told that this was a new security measure recently implemented by Ebay and imposed on all new/first time sellers. The support rep I spoke with told me that this had been implemented because people were calling in and saying that accounts had been opened in their names unknowingly.

So this means that no matter what you're selling, if you've just joined Ebay or are listing your first item for sale, you can expect the listing to be removed and your account to be restricted pending a phone call to Ebay's customer service. I've experimented some and it seems that you may be able to list 1-3+ items for sale before encountering this security measure, but it's unavoidable if you're a new seller.

I would not worry or be to afraid to call them, just make sure the number you're calling from is the same number that's listed on your Ebay account (you can edit this prior to your call if needed--I would recommend using the GV phone app) and you should be OK. They will typically only ask you questions about the items you'll be selling, if you have them in your possession, the shipping method you'll be using, etc. If you answer them all favorably, you'll be back up and selling in no time! The good thing is that this will only occur once.

Hope this post was able to help anyone who has been encountering this issue.

[last3379]

I have been having the same issue and after calling in got the same results.

Don't be scared to call in, the questions they ask are a joke.

I did however call in once on an account that i listed a risky item right away and was told to send in receipts for the item before i would be able to list again! I just dropped that account.. figured i was already on the naughty list.

Lesson learned.

[Silent Sam]

Yep, calling in is generally harmless. The reason that happened was probably because it was a high risk listing, lesson learnt as you said though.

[GreenBean]

With anything to do with ebay there are reasons for and against contacting them.

Be silly of users who have poorly created accounts to call per your suggestion.

It is crucial to appreciate this is a case by case basis.

Keep this in mind for the future.

As you have no way of knowing how others make accounts, always qualify your advice.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

With anything to do with ebay there are reasons for and against contacting them.

Be silly of users who have poorly created accounts to call per your suggestion.

It is crucial to appreciate this is a case by case basis.

Keep this in mind for the future.

As you have no way of knowing how others make accounts, always qualify your advice.

Agree with GB here - you need to approach each call seriously - business is serious - dont just be flippant and think that the call is a joke...one wrong move and you will be 'smoked out'.

[Dmshark25]

I have experienced this on opening almost all my accounts also. Just when making your accounts follow all necessary steps making it link free. I first create and fully confirm my Paypal before creating my ebay account. Once Paypal is verified create and link the ebay account.

I always just start by listing one item , something from the dollar store and when the listing gets taken down you get the email to call ebay .

Before you call make sure all your stealth info is in front of you and call from the correct phone number and all is good

I went through this over 20 times now I'm a pro know what they ask how to answer and once u get experience they ask less questions and reinstate within a two minute call

All these accounts are aging and limits increasing and this is the only time I ever call ebay is just in the beginning to confirm few questions they ask and that's it

[rsot]

Originally Posted by Dmshark25

I always just start by listing one item , something from the dollar store and when the listing gets taken down you get the email to call ebay

Or you can wait a little, build some browsing and buying activity then list...and never get taken down

[GreenBean]

Best way to operate is to avoid flagging accounts and ending up having to contact ebay.

[stanislav]

Calling eBay can be tricky. Not everyone receives MC999 when listing their first time but like GB said, we should treat this on case to case basis.

[jeffweico]

If you can think fast, have all of your stealth information handy AND are REALLY GOOD on the phone, then contacting eBay to try to save an account could work for you. On the other hand, if you are NOT good on the phone, or if you can't think quickly, then calling could do more harm than good.

It also depends on your level of experience. If I had an account that looked like it would be a goner unless I called eBay, I would go ahead and make the call. But I have been doing this for a few years, I know how to prepare for the call and what information to have handy and I'm good on the phone.

This IS a skill that you can learn over time.

I would add, however, that you should NEVER contact eBay unless you absolutely have to. It is one thing if THEY call YOU, like for one of their Seller Outreach calls. Or if you are certain the account will die if you don't call and you figure you have nothing to lose. But if you call to get limits increased, etc. you run the risk of a human being looking at your account. And a human can find things their automation cannot.

[GreenBean]

Bear in mind it is NEVER a walk in the park to have to speak to ebay or paypal.

Careful choices are imperative.

[Silent Sam]

Originally Posted by Dmshark25

I have experienced this on opening almost all my accounts also. Just when making your accounts follow all necessary steps making it link free. I first create and fully confirm my Paypal before creating my ebay account. Once Paypal is verified create and link the ebay account.

I always just start by listing one item , something from the dollar store and when the listing gets taken down you get the email to call ebay .

Before you call make sure all your stealth info is in front of you and call from the correct phone number and all is good

I went through this over 20 times now I'm a pro know what they ask how to answer and once u get experience they ask less questions and reinstate within a two minute call

All these accounts are aging and limits increasing and this is the only time I ever call ebay is just in the beginning to confirm few questions they ask and that's it

Exactly .

[Silent Sam]

The whole point of me making this thread was because of the fact that contacting them as a new seller at this point is UNAVOIDABLE! You're citing that it's desired not to contact them and you shouldn't, but with these newly imposed requirements, that's not going to happen. To the person who said "not everyone encounters the MC999 when listing their first item, *hops on GB*", I clearly said that you could list upwards of 3 items (I've been able to reach 10) before you get hit with the restriction.

Now, if you're an established seller already, that's another story. This was for those who are making new stealth seller accounts and encountering this new security measure that's imposed. It does not matter if you made a new stealth account and waited a month or two before listing a low risk item--their system would detect that you're a new/first time seller and BAM, you're restricted.

I literally just encountered this again and when you contact Ebay they will ask for information that's on the account such as your name and address on the account. Then they will proceed to ask you questions about the item you listed, is it in your possession, are you the only one using your account, what shipping method do you plan on using, etc. If it all matches up and they see no threat, the restriction will be removed form your account and you won't encounter it again.

I'm only trying to help people because I discovered this was new protocol for EVERY new seller, confirmed by Ebay themselves. I've contributed, but you only want to try and find something wrong when there isn't in reality.

[stanislav]

You need browsing history .... in order to avoid mc999

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by Silent Sam

I'm only trying to help people because I discovered this was new protocol for EVERY new seller, confirmed by Ebay themselves. I've contributed, but you only want to try and find something wrong when there isn't in reality.

No one said you were not trying to help people.

But you are trying to force feed your idea down the throat of everyone.

I repeat, and will continue to do so, do not assume that every user has the ability to deal with a phone call to ebay.

You are talking in hundreds of times of doing this. Others have far more experience than you have at this moment.
Avoid sounding like a little kid trying to get their own way. You are underestimating badly what ebay will do if it determines this new seller may be a banned user returning in a different guise.
I addressed that in another thread.
Be circumspect with your advice.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

If you can think fast, have all of your stealth information handy AND are REALLY GOOD on the phone, then contacting eBay to try to save an account could work for you. On the other hand, if you are NOT good on the phone, or if you can't think quickly, then calling could do more harm than good.

Great comment.