Confused

[j4]

Trying to set up an eBay seller's account and I'm confused already. It wants me to fill in a direct debit mandate -- are there regular fees for having a seller's account even if you don't sell anything? I couldn't see anything about that but I can't see how you can set up a dd to say "please debit however much these people need from my account whenever I sell something", you'd basically be signing a blank cheque.

And they've already asked me to keep card details "on file" to check I'm me, and to nominate a card to pay from, as well as an alternative card to pay from, and I'm running out of cards!

Having seen some of the people who apparently manage to sell stuff on eBay with no difficulty, if I can't do it I must be so stupid that it's amazing I managed to work out how to breathe. :-(

Update: Huh? "You are already a registered seller!" How'd that happen then? I've never tried to register as a seller before...

Comments

[nja.livejournal.com]

I couldn't see anything about that but I can't see how you can set up a dd to say "please debit however much these people need from my account whenever I sell something", you'd basically be signing a blank cheque.

That's what a direct debit is (as opposed to a standing order which is for a fixed amount). You're authorising the person or organisation to take however much they want out of your bank account (provided you owe them the money according to a prior agreement). Personally I'm fine with this when it's the phone company or the utility bills, but I wouldn't want it for an internet auction company! Especially as Amazon has just sent me an email to say the £40 item which arrived on my doormat yesterday is going to take 3-5 weeks extra to arrive, and has added it back onto the list of things on order (I've removed it - I have no idea if I'm going to be charged for it since they don't seem to think they have sent it out, but if they can't organise their ordering system properly I'm not going to chase them about it).

[j4.livejournal.com]

DD: I guess I'm just used to there being some sort of regularity/accountability/thingy to it. It seems a bit more vague and handwavy when it's just pennies here and there. Which is silly really because the pennies are less likely to completely drain my account than, say, paying my mobile phone bill by DD...

Amazon -- don't get me started! They are cack-on-a-stick. Every time I use them I swear that I'll never use them again. Grrr. Though at least it sounds like you benefited from their incompetence this time...