Strange eBay's requirement

[block36]

I received a message from potential buyer (with over 1000 positive F/B's) :

I went to "buy it now" for this item, but the transaction requires a phone number, and says to contact the seller for an exception. I have purchased over 1000 items on Ebay without providing my phone number. Therefore, I am asking for an exception to purchase this item. Please let me know either way.

I was very surprised for such a demand from eBay, but attended this item's buyer's requirements. There is NOTHING related to phone number(s), all we can program are limitations related to buyers' locations and records...

I also tried to find anything thru HELP & CONTACT about buyer's phone number and did not find anything.

I notified this person that he may purchase the item but not to pay for it, I will issue my invoice.

I also told him he can enter an incorrect number because I do not need the number.

PLEASE advise if I missed something regarding eBay's policy on phone numbers.

Thank you very much!

[ricarmic]

Is this more an eBay rule against the buyer instead of against you? I ask this because the new customs rules theoretically require the buyers phone number and eBay may be coming down on buyers who don't have all their information in yet.

That eBay message may be their message to buyers who do not yet have a phone number on their file, nothing to do with you, they may have received that message if they tried to buy something from any seller, or the first time they've bought something from an international seller?

Just my thoughts.

[recped · Accepted solution]

My eBay -> Account -> Site Preferences -> Shipping Preferences -> make sure "require phone number" is not checked.

[mr.elmwood]

This is not an eBay rule and it is not new. It is a Customs rule and has been in place for years, it just has not been enforced.

[recped]

It has nothing to do with customs!

[block36]

Thank you, great suggestion!   

I unmarked it !

And sent a letter to the buyer that in view of my inability to fix the problem faster, I will refund his shipping cost making it as FREE SHIPPING.

Hope we all will be happy.

[2014sportsterguy]

Why complicate the sale, telling the buyer a phone number is needed is all you need to do. The reason is not our concearn or a concearn really. Let the buyer figure it out .

[block36]

I do not think it is right to force the person to disclose what he does not want to disclose.

Something may look as minor to us but is BIG for others...  This is a case that I definitely will live w/o his phone number.

[femmefan1946]

Doesn't eBay require all members to have a working telephone number when they sign up? And isn't that number supplied to the other member in a transaction on request. (Both members get each other's information.)

There is often a requirement for a telephone number from the shipper, since this theoretically allows them to arrange delivery times.

[block36]

The phone number is mandatory now for expedited and express shipments - the postal system will not release the tracking number w/o it...  They will not accept the parcel 

Probably because of this requirement I have amended my SITE PREFERENCES to have it for all sales.

And yes, our phone number(s) are somewhere on eBay/PAYPAL system.

Seems that to one person the disclosure of the personal number is very sensitive issue, and I will not be stubborn about it because he is willing to buy only postal card which is shipped as letter and no need for phone # is obvious.

Also, eBay will release each party's phone numbers if the SALE transaction took place and one of the party asks for a phone number afterwards.

[pjcdn2005]

The phone number is mandatory now for expedited and express shipments - the postal system will not release the tracking number w/o it...  They will not accept the parcel 

Where did you hear that?

[block36]

I heard it in my postal office (numerous times) and once I tried to complete the shipping form on the Canada Post's site. I got stuck because I did not have the phone number.

[ricarmic]

I believe their PO manual tells them that if you don't have a number you can put yours in instead....

[mr.elmwood]

It really does not matter what numbers are in the space as long as there are numbers. The form needs numbers, thta is all.

[gifts_of_elegance]

This has happened to me too some time ago.  When the second person wrote about it, I took it more seriously.  Turns out that there is a setting requiring purchaser's phone number as a requirement for selling.  I see someone has already sent you instructions on how to do it.  Just one thing, you have to make the change both on .com and .ca.