topic Re: Age verification in Member To Member Support

Age verification

pgbdd — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 12:54:23 GMT

This is without doubt one of the most stupid ideas by eBay, I understand the reason why but the method is ridiculous. I do not and will not own a credit card ever.

You have to be over 18 to buy a bladed item that I understand, however you have to be over 18 to have an eBay account, I have had an account for 21 years and I am over 70 years old, even if I could have opened the account as soon as I was born I would be over 18 now.

eBay need to use a different method to verify the age of the account holder with either a pin code or a password once it has been proved and stored.

The alternative is to get someone to buy it for you so if I was under age that is the best way to get a blade and who would know, I can still get a blade item from many other retailers who do not require authentication, the losers in this are the eBay vendors, I have yet to hear of a hedge trimmer massacre in the news, I could do more damage with a hammer is that age restricted and what about cars they can do far more damage where will it end.

Off to Amazon now to by one from them.

Re: Age verification

tobiasd4 — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:19:58 GMT

It is the law that buyers have to prove their age.

Ebay choose to only use Credit card as proof.

Other sites (you say Amazon) may have different ways to prove age, but they must still do it before selling to you.

Re: Age verification

pgbdd — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:29:58 GMT

I understand it is the law, however it is the method that eBay choose that is the issue here it can be done other ways that do not require a credit card they choose not to bother, not very helpful to established customers.

Re: Age verification

tressygirl — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:39:34 GMT

True, there are other methods to prove ones age, such as passports, birth certificates , driving licenses, but these would require a whole team of peeps to check and verify that paperwork, a method which would incur high costs, costs which invariably would need to be passed onto members, and not a popular move, the new Buyer Protection Fee a good example .

The only way eBay allow this verification of age, is for a credit card to be presented at time of sale, or at time of buying, as credit card companies have already done very stringent checks to ensure that person is over the age of 18, so eBay have ' piggy backed' if you like , taken their verification processes to use for their own.

Anyone of any age can own a debit card.

You may be over the age of 70, but this would not prevent a minor using your account to buy a bladed item, hence the asking for this, at time of purchase.

It is annoying I fully understand, not everyone has or wishes to own a credit card, my parents never had them, but this is the only way, the cheapest way, for eBay to act within the rules, for selling any bladed item online.

@pgbdd