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Mon May 6 2024 09:53:48

Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay

By: Reader

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Dear Ina,
I'm currently going through a maddening process with eBay. Sometimes, I can't believe an e-commerce company that is nearly 30 years old still has problems like this. 

I recently moved, and since I work from home, I had to change my mailing address for all my various accounts. Normally, no big deal, right? As expected it went fine with updating the various banks, the USPS, and subscription services that I have. But eBay, of course there's a catch. 

The day after I updated my addresses on my eBay accounts, they notified me that there was a block placed on my business account, as they could no longer verify my address via the IRS. They then request that you upload supporting documentation to prove that you're a legitimate business (which is understandable). 

The problem is that most of the documentation they request is older and isn't updated immediately when you change your address (documents such as articles of incorporation, a business license, or previous years' tax returns). I did send a change of address request off to the IRS after speaking with eBay the first time, but the IRS says it takes 4-6 weeks to process, and I feel like that is an unreasonable amount of time for eBay to withhold my funds for something that should be a routine administrative function. 

I am extremely frustrated at the poor communication on eBay's end. Had I known this was going to become a giant debacle, I would have left my previous address on the account and waited until I had updated documentation in hand with the new address to ensure a much smoother transition. 

I know I can't be the only small business on eBay that's had to change addresses and then jump through all of these ridiculous hoops, just to get paid funds they've already earned. Meanwhile, I still get to sell on eBay and they sit on my funds and earn interest on it. What a crock!
Chris

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Readers Comments

Perminate Link for Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay   Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay

by: mjr55 This user has validated their user name.

Tue May 7 01:58:43 2024

I don't think this is an Ebay issue......Amazon would have done the same under the INFORM Act. You should have waited to change your info on Ebay until you had all of the required documents, would have likely saved a lot of time.

Perminate Link for Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay   Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay

by: my2cents This user has validated their user name.

Thu May 9 02:09:33 2024

Yes @mjr55 that would be part of the problem.  In addition to that is that all Money processors have to adhere to the Anti Money Laundry law as well as others.  And they have strict requirements as to address changes.  Your address has to match in all places.

We are moving next year and I really don't look forward to it, I know it will be a big ordeal getting every site I sell on updated in a way that they need to have it happen.

But Chris certainly nail part of the problem for them and that is how horrible Ebay is at communicating what they need and how

A couple of tips when changing important info in Ebay.  Don't overwrite info, clear the field completely and type the new info in the completely blank field.  Then make sure the old address gets deleted.  This is important so that it doesn't come back to haunt you one day.

Perminate Link for Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay   Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay

This user has validated their user name. by: Bidonmine

Thu May 9 10:17:13 2024

I have moved a few times in the last 10 years. I always wait to update ebay and Amazon accounts until all my business documentations, bank accounts and credit cards have updated. Remember, also, that both ebay and Amazon have multiple places to change your address and, if you make the changes in the wrong order, you might have problems.

Perminate Link for Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay   Be Careful When Filing Change of Address on eBay

by: rpocovers This user has validated their user name.

Thu May 9 12:19:02 2024

Thanks to Ebay's abysmal customer ''service,'' last year I lost an account that had run for 24 years and had over 3500 positive feedback due to their failure to
- 1: Tell me exactly what they needed to verify things
- 2: Respond by someone who knew what they were talking about
- 3: Follow through when I was promised multiple times by several ''higher-level'' reps that all was in order and the account hold would be lifted.

I am still out $156 that sits in this old, blocked account, which they say will ''eschew to the State'' after two years, when I can claim my funds.

I created a brand new account WITH THE EXACT SAME DOCUMENTATION, started again with a new name and zero feedback, losing track of numerous repeat customers. But nothing can compensate for the hundreds of hours and lost productivity caused by Ebay.



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