Terrible E-bay experience

I just recently arrived in the UK and have been unpacking my things. Just before I left, I bought a iPod that I planned on using during my commute. However, it's just a matter of time before I get an iPhone and so I decided to sell the iPod on e-bay. So, I set up an e-bay UK account, figured out the postage system here and posted my items. About an hour after posting my item, I recieved a phone call from an e-bay representative asking deatils about me and the item to verify that I was who I said I was. That was fine, as someone who buys on e-bay, I thought that it's not a bad thing to check the identity of sellers. But that was not the end.

Two days later, ebay suspended my account and asked for a bunch of proof [e-mail 1 below]. Specifically, I had to fax them a copy of my passport, a utility bill and a receipt for the item i was selling [which I thankfully had].

After faxing in the documents, I waited for my account to be re-enabled. However, apparently my passport, utility bill and receipt for the iPod were not enough. Today, I received an email [e-mail 2] asking for another proof of name-- my work permit.

I find this completely unacceptable behavior from e-bay. In what world is a phone call to me, a passport, a utility bill and a receipt for the item I'm selling not enough proof that I am who I am. Just plain terrible customer service and experience. But what can you do? They own the market.

First e-mail:

Dear XXX

We regret to inform you that your eBay account has been suspended.
To have your account reviewed for reinstatement, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email.
Why have we suspended your account?
From experience we know that certain items and actions are more associated with fraudulent activity on eBay than others. As a precaution, we suspend an account if it gives us cause for concern. We then ask for more information from the member before we reinstate the account.

Please understand we're not accusing you of fraudulent behaviour. Our top priority is to ensure that eBay remains a safe and reputable place to buy and sell, so we'd just like to confirm some of the information you've given us.

An account suspension in these circumstances is covered under the section of the eBay User Agreement headed "Abusing eBay", which you can read by copying the following link into a new browser window:

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/policies/user-agreement.html

During your suspension you are prohibited from using eBay in any way, including registering new accounts. We have ended your open listings.

Please be advised that this suspension does not relieve you of your obligation to pay any fees that you may owe to eBay.

Thank you for your cooperation in this important matter.
Regards,

eBay Trust & Safety

------------------------
How to have your account reviewed for reinstatement:

Please send us all of the following information so we can review your account:

1) Proof of name and address
2) Proof that the item/s you listed are in your possession
3) Confirmation of your up-to-date contact details

- Proof of name and address

Please send us copies of BOTH of the following:

- government-issued photo identification (passport or driving licence)
- evidence of address (bank statement or utility bill).

You must send us PHOTOCOPIES, not originals as we can't return your documents. Clearly print your User ID on both documents so we can match them with your account quickly.

- Proof that the item/s you listed are in your possession

Please send us ONE of the following for each of the items you've listed for sale on eBay:

- Receipt, bill of sale or agreement with your supplier

Please understand that we can't accept an invoice or order confirmation as proof that the item is in your possession.

- Confirmation of your up-to-date contact details

Please print the following information on the cover sheet of your letter or fax:
__________
User ID:
Email address:
Full name:
Full address:
Contact phone number:
__________

Please send us the information requested to the fax number or address below.

Faxing from the UK: 020 7681 2348
Faxing from outside the UK: +44 20 7681 2348

Postal address (photocopies only):

eBay Trust & Safety
Attn: Suspension Appeals
P.O. Box 9473
Dublin 15
Ireland

To get your documents to us here in Ireland as quickly as possible, please ensure you pay the correct postage.

Please be assured that eBay treats your personal information with the utmost care. We always destroy documents after we've reviewed them.

What happens next?

Please allow three days for us to review your account after we have received your documents. We'll then contact you via email. Your account will remain suspended until we receive and review these documents.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your response so that we can resolve this matter as soon as possible.



Second e-mail:

Hello,

Thank you for sending us the documents we requested.

Before we can review your account we will need you to submit another
proof of your name together with your passport. I apologise if we didn't
make this clear enough in earlier emails.

We'll accept one of the following documents, as long as you haven't
already used it as proof of your address:

- Residency Permit issued by the Home Office
- Building Industry Sub-Contractor's Certificate issued by the Inland
Revenue
- Benefit Book or notification letter from the Benefits Agency
confirming the right to benefits
- Inland Revenue Tax Notification with address showing

Clearly print your User ID on all documents so we can quickly match them
with your account.

Here's our contact details again:

Fax number: +44 (0)20 7681 2348

Postal address (photocopies only):

eBay Trust & Safety
Attn: Suspension Appeals
P.O. Box 9473
Dublin 15
Ireland

To get your documents to us here in Ireland as quickly as possible,
please ensure you pay the correct postage.

Please be assured that eBay treats your personal information with the
utmost care. We always destroy documents after we've reviewed them.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to your response so that
we can resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Kind regards,

Fraser Richards
eBay Trust & Safety
____________________

Learn more about buying and selling safely on eBay. Visit the eBay
"Safety Centre" by clicking on the link at the bottom of the eBay
homepage.