eBay Help : Basics : User ID FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about User IDs:

What is a User ID?
What if I forget my User ID?
Can I choose my own User ID?
Can I change my User ID?
What does the "shades" icon mean?
Can anyone else have the same User ID?
How do I find the email address of someone with a User ID?
Can eBay change my User ID?
Does eBay keep track of all my User ID changes?
Does my Feedback Rating follow me when I change my User ID?
If I change my registered email address, will that affect my User ID?
Won't this make it easier for shill bidders to hide?
What if I am offended by someone else's User ID?

If you can't find an answer to your question here, Ask eBay.

Q.	What is a User ID?
A.	A User ID is a "nickname" you select. It identifies you at eBay.
Q.	What if I forget my User ID?
A.	No problem. Any place you are asked for your User ID, you can use your email address instead. If you use your email address in a Buyer or Seller search, the results will return your User ID.
Q.	Can I choose my own User ID?
A.	Yes! Here's your chance to choose your own unique nickname. Here are some ideas if you're stuck: Use a word or words identifying your favorite collecting area, business or occupation. Or you could refer to your hometown or state and call yourself something like "Burlington_Bertie" or "Essex_Girl". Maybe you'd like to refer to your own sense of style and use an ID like "Happy_Henry" or "Jumping_Jen". Just remember that User IDs: May contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9) and/or many symbols. Must be at least two (2) characters long. Are case insensitive. Can't contain spaces. Can't be obscene, profane or hateful. Things you can't use include: The "@" symbol. The "&" (ampersand) symbol. The letter "e" followed by numbers URLs (for example xyz.com) The word, "eBay." Only eBay employees may use "eBay" in their User IDs. This is to prevent non-employees from masquerading as employees.
Q.	Can I change my User ID? If so, how often can I do this?
A.	Yes. You may change your User ID. Once you do this, a "shades" icon will appear after your User ID for the next 30 days. No one else will be able to use your old User ID until the 30-day period has expired. If you want, do it now. Just go to the Change my User ID page at My eBay under Services and follow the instructions. Remember that User IDs change immediately, even in auctions in which you are participating. For example, you're selling something under the User ID "John." When you change your User ID to "Jane," the auction immediately changes your ID to "Jane" and puts up the "shades" icon, too. Please note: You can only change your User ID once in a 30-day period. This is to prevent confusion for the rest of us. You should keep in mind that your User ID is a valuable asset very much like your Feedback Rating. Trading partners will come to recognise you by your User ID and are likely to associate certain characteristics with it. So it's good business to give some thought to choosing one for a long and happy life at eBay.
Q.	What does the "shades" icon mean?
A.	When the shades icon appears next to a User ID, it signifies that the user has been a registered eBay user for 30 days or less, or has changed his/her User ID within the last 30 days. The shades icon will disappear after the user has maintained the same User ID for a 30-day period. It's there to help you keep track of your friends and trading partners and to help identify unscrupulous traders trying to hide behind a new User ID. So if you see a "shades" icon, click on it!
Q.	Can anyone else have the same User ID?
A.	No. A User ID must be unique. In the real world, there can be thousands of people named "Robert." At eBay, only one person can have "Robert" as a User ID.
Q.	How do I find the email address of someone with a User ID?
A.	You will be able to view other members' email addresses if you are involved with them in a transaction (as a bidder or seller). If you are not involved with the member in a transaction, you can still contact them via eBay's new email service. You will be provided with one of the above options after clicking on a User ID.
Q.	Can eBay change my User ID?
A.	eBay reserves the right to modify, alter or suspend any User ID at any time (at our sole discretion and without notice) for any reason whatsoever.
Q.	Does eBay keep track of all my User ID changes?
A.	Yes. When you change your User ID, you create a User ID history which is accessible by any registered eBay user. You can look up any user's User ID history by clicking on their User ID on any eBay page or by going to the Find Members Page.
Q.	Does my Feedback Rating follow me when I change my User ID?
A.	Yes. eBay will automatically attach your Feedback Rating and other important account information to your new User ID.
Q.	If I change my registered email address, will that affect my User ID?
A.	If you change your registered email address, you can retain your User ID. Keep in mind that you can use your registered email address and your User ID interchangeably.
Q.	Won't this make it easier for shill bidders to hide?
A.	No. If someone changes his/her User ID, it is reflected immediately, even in a current auction so it will not be easier for shill bidders (insincere bidders) to hide. eBay uses the "shades" icon to let you know that someone has changed his/her User ID. An auction can last three, five, seven, or ten days. But when you change your User ID, the "shades"icon will appear after your name for 30 days to alert other users of your new nickname. Note: The shades icon also appears next to the User IDs of members who been registered on eBay for 30 days or less.
Q.	What if I am offended by someone else's User ID?
A.	eBay does not allow obscenities, profanity or hateful language in User IDs. Use the Ask eBay form to send your complaint to eBay.

If you have any questions, please contact customer support