Ebay is asking me to fill out a credit application to make an offer on a cheap item. Why?

[sandypebbles]

Are they?

Or is it a scammer pretending to be eBay?

Never heard of such a thing here in Australia, as you are registered in the US, maybe ask on the forum here

I'd be running a mile personally 

[kopenhagen5]

Sounds like they are not eBay and gathering personal details for identity theft.