What BS..
Not only is it not BS, it's a perfectly reasonable request.
Anyone can open dozens or hundreds of Hotmail and Yahoo addresses and then barrage an email address as per the Press Release with bogus requests from different names which can't be verified. Would you like to sit there sending out acknolwedgements to hundreds of phony requests from faked names coming from throwaway addresses?
I didn't think so..
Anyone who uses those throwaway addresses has a real ISP address they can use.
eBay has restrictions against registering using throwaway addresses..
From their help system::
Quote::
"If you register with an 'anonymous' email address, such as Yahoo or Hotmail, you'll need to place a valid credit card number on file to verify your identity. Your card will not be charged."
End of quote.
Go verify that quote yourself if you want to. Just punch "Hotmail" into eBay's help system.
Why do they do this? Do I even have to explain it to you? Probably. Because a seller can have a legitimate account, then shill his own auctions using a throwaway address or ten..
In the Merlancia Press Release, you're not being asked for a credit card. You're not being asked for your street address, any money, deposit, down payment, or anything else. Just a real name, a real email address, and a location. That's it. That's why requests from throwaway email addresses won't be accepted or acknowledged.
Got it? All clear now?
