Proof of age. Neither my husband nor I own a credit card

[thewizlings]

Neither my husband nor I own a credit card and I want to bid on some cutlery, but as that includes a knife I have been asked to prove my age using a credit card. Is there another way to prove my age? 

Thanks, Liz

[insidethe93]

If you'd bought using a credit card you might've earned points that periodically are converted into cash credited to your account. Applies to high-value purchases (or most).

When I rang my debit card provider to warn I was about to spend £23K on a new kitchen (I saved for 7 years), the customer assistant advised (unofficially) that I buy using my credit card in order to get the points. I pay the credit card off in full each month so it didn't matter to me whether I used a credit card or a debit card, and it didn't bother the card provider which card I used. Eventually, via converted points I received the equivalent of a month's food. So I did the same when I bought a new car, gained ditto amount of "return", though my car wasn't an RS5 just a humble estate car.

Even if you buy helped by a loan you'd still get points = cash (or vouchers depending how your card provider does it) if you buy with a credit card and swap funds between accounts.

I doubt you'd be allowed to buy a house (or the difference between simultaneously selling & buying) using a credit card. But if you buy a brand new house there are payments to the developer when you choose colours, styles, fittings and finishes, unless you opt for the basic ones included (no one does, as they work it so you won't want the horrible basic options). These extras mount up (my parents did this, it's too easy to do), so you could gain a lot of credit card points there.

[nicsang_19]

I have came across the same issue today wanting to bid on a cutlery set . I also don't have a credit card and missed out on the item (very frustrating). I never have had a credit card at the age of 48 years old. I rang Ebay to be told you have to have a credit card to purchase cutlery. 

I get the verification of age is in place to stop youngsters buying knifes but its ridiculous that you must have a credit card.  You should be able to upload a pic of other ID as proof of age. Come on Ebay.

[lo_434312]

yes it is stupid i have bought many things in the past with no problems and
i refuse to get a credit card so people listing ie letter opener
swill lose out and not get the buyers ill have to look elsewhere

[markd8426]

Seeing as I've had an eBay account more than 18 years, it's a pretty safe bet they could work out I'm over 18 if they wanted to

[katieshwe]

Exactly. I've been a member since 2005. That's over 20 years. They have my bank card on file (again same name and details for 20 years) but there is no other means of verification except applying for a credit card.

[katieshwe]

Or in fact be a member for 20 years, but I may have been born 3 years after putting in my bank card to Ebay in 2005? 

[katieshwe]

Or 20 years, but apparently I still might be under 18 and Ebay will not accept this basic principle.

[katieshwe]

I think the prongs of a fork are more dangerous than the dinner knife of a cutlery set. It's not like buying a butcher knife or switchblade!

[katieshwe]

I want this particular cutlery set, as it matches the cutlery I already have. Argos will not deliver, but say I can pick it up from store (nope this doesn't make sense to me either).

I am disabled, without a car, and cannot get to the Argos.

So no, not everyone can 'buy from the high street'.

[katieshwe]

Cheers, gonna take a look on Amazon.

[csj0hnson2]

Being responsible and only buying what you can afford is bad? Ebay can stick it, I'll shop elsewhere. 

[r117dur]

It is absolutely ridiculous that there is only 1 option to verify your age. The fact that you've had an account with them for well over 20 years obviously doesn't  count, er, do the math?? Why insist on a credit card? Some people including myself neither own one nor want one.

[lo_434312]

My option to buy letter openers is i have to go elsewhere even though i had
previously bought on ebay i will not have a credit card

[mooi1]

Surely though, you have to be at least 18 to be an eBay member anyway, so why the additional check?

[lucy_farmer]

'so why the additional check?'

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Ebay know they can't or won't check how old anyone really is when setting up an account on here... 😏

They're admitting that banks etc. actually have much better verification procedures: it's difficult for a 15yr old to blag their way into an 'underage' credit card!

[redfacesteve]

I had to prove my age for DIY attachment blades 

[cprice24373pda]

My experience trying to buy woodworking tools is that the credit card proof of age doesn't work either.

I have even had eBay tell me that two blunt plastic  t-track runners are a "bladed item" and need age verification...it would take weeks to bludgeon someone to death using these and as I again failed the age verification (I am after all only 66) I found the seller on Etsy and bought them there without any fuss.

I have been on eBay for 25 years and the system is broken now and nobody seems able to fix it.

[mooi1]

I wanted to buy a mini chainsaw and was confronted with that message, I tried a different eBay seller selling the same item and it went straight through with proof of age not being required!

[lo_434312]

yes not a smooth process anymore even verifying things seems a drawn out
battle ive started looking elsewhee

[rustymark1]

Considering I’ve been using eBay since 2003 I’m at least 22 (I wish)and why should they have my credit card details as they’ve accepted my debit card for 22 years surely there must be a way of verification without another card registration especially if eBay get hacked in the future