topic Verify age in Member To Member Support

Verify age

sea-breeze-designs — Tue, 26 May 2026 06:47:52 GMT

I have just tried to buy two garden power tools. eBay wants me to verify my age. This is fair enough as I am already verified to buy nicotine vape juice and only had to do that once with my driving licence and have never been asked to verify my age again when I buy my monthly vape juice as it is done automatically. To buy the power tools eBay wants me to verify my age with a credit card. I do not have a credit card ! I only have a debit card! I am 55 years old and have already verified my age on eBay years ago. How do I contact eBay so that I can purchase the much needed garden power tools to finish my garden? I have sent feedback but need a quicker response.

Re: Verify age

tommystrezures — Tue, 26 May 2026 07:03:31 GMT

eBay has to adhere to UK law, and whilst they take things a little literally, a credit card is the only form of identification they will accept to prove a user is over 18 when buying bladed items.

Have you got a friend that could purchase for you?

Re: Verify age

sea-breeze-designs — Tue, 26 May 2026 11:59:28 GMT

I must have verified my age another way for nicotine products years ago because eBay automatically verifies my purchases. I have never owned a credit card

I bought the power tool from Amazon instead and they automatically verified my age it was simple

Re: Verify age

tressygirl — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:28:38 GMT

When selling or buying a bladed item even though you the owner, may well have see 18 years go by some time ago, eBay do not know if the account may be, could be , being used by a minor.

Therefore, when buying or selling these items, a credit card has to be registered at point of sale/ purchase.

Other Companies may well use different methods for age verification, but eBay have found it cheaper in the long run, to ask for credit cards, as those Companies have already made those stringent age checks.

@sea-breeze-designs

Re: Verify age

red_magpie — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:43:45 GMT

eBay accepts only two methods of verifying your age.

One is by providing credit card details for verification. The card will not be saved or charged, unless you also choose to use it to pay. The other is by using a third-party partner of eBay called VerifyMyAge (details online).

eBay has obviously decided not to accept verification by methods which would require the production, inspection and return of documents before buying.

Don't dismiss the ide of getting a credit card, even a prepaid one where you can choose how much to load on it. Paying by credit card provides buyers with an extra layer of buyer protection that lasts for 120 days, compared to eBay's own 30 day money back guarantee. It's especially worthwhile for purchases over £100 when it also provides the protection of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

Re: Verify age

sea-breeze-designs — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:06:09 GMT

I am already age verified on eBay for nicotine products

I did not use a credit card to verify years ago and all nicotine products are since verification automatically verified.

I do not want a credit card

I am happy with my debit card.

My point is I am already age verified from verification years ago for my regular vape juice bought on eBay.

(A power tool for gardening has broken purchased two years ago from eBay) and I have a half cut tree so needed a new power tool immediately. I have now bought one from Amazon as Amazon verified my age automatically as should have eBay done.

Re: Verify age

61stephenuk — Tue, 26 May 2026 15:35:00 GMT

eBay uses Verify My Age for Vaping and alcohol products as this is a service only available to business sellers.

All other age related items are verified at time of sale and eBay only accept a credit card for this, simplest reason I could possibly give* is the cc companies have already made the relevant checks before issueing a card therefor it costs eBay nothing, other methods would involve a charge and time

*Not official eBay statement only my opinion