Ebay forcing sellers to use PayPal.

[Farnarkel]

I actually saw an ebay listing yesterday that showed Paypal as an option but had an extra line saying please add $2.50 to total if using Paypal.

Suspect that will also be pulled!!

[Waldo]

Good on 'em both. Stick it up eBay, why should a seller have to use a method of payment if they don't want to?

[echnidna]

for all that, I much prefer to use paypal.
Its not limited to ebay and its far easier to track than direct deposits plus it works overseas which direct deposit doesn't.

[Big Shed]

It appears that Ebay has modified its' stance on PayPal only, when I logged on this morning I got this message.

So now we can pay via PayPal, Visa/Mastercard or cash on pick up.

No direct deposit though!

[Big Shed]

for all that, I much prefer to use paypal.
Its not limited to ebay and its far easier to track than direct deposits plus it works overseas which direct deposit doesn't.

I agree, I am starting to use PayPal more and more for overseas purchases. It is actually cheaper than Visa/Mastercard and they give you a better exchange rate as well. It is an easy way to transfer money to people overseas, certainly much quicker and heaps cheaper than a bank draft.

More and more US suppliers are now offering PayPal as well as Visa/Mastercard.

[Dusty Dave]

It appears that Ebay has modified its' stance on PayPal only, when I logged on this morning I got this message.

So now we can pay via PayPal, Visa/Mastercard or cash on pick up.

No direct deposit though!

No, that is the new stance, unmodified. They were never going to prevent 'big' sellers with their own merchant facilities from accepting credit cards. What they have done is to block all of the small to medium sellers from accepting direct deposits and cards via third parties like Paymate (which has a full Australian banking license and offers a far superior service to PayPal, BTW).

In other words, if you sell on eBay and you AREN'T a large business with your own credit card facilities, you can only accept payment by PayPal or cash on collection.

[Waldo]

Can't see how they can enforce sellers offering buyers the option of paying d/deposit if they ask if it's okay. It's what I'll continue to do, unless it's within driving distance, in which case it'll be C.O.D.

[rodm]

I have just recieved notification from the ACCC that they have revoked the paypal/ebay exclusive deal. It is still not over as paypal/ebay can appeal but this is IMHO a good result from the ACCC.

[lesmeyer]

Just saw this info in 1 of the news sites. ACCC have asked eBay to suspend the decision to use only paypal pending further investigation. Good news for now.
Les

[fenderbelly]

EBay payment changes halted by ACCC22:27 AEST Thu Jun 12 2008agoVIEWS: 0| FLOCKS: 0| 0 comments so farThe auction website eBay must freeze controversial plans to simplify payment options for buyers and sellers until the Australian consumer watchdog determines whether the move is anti-competitive.

The US-based website estimates it has about five million Australian users and contributes $2.6 billion to the domestic economy.

The online auction site announced in April that from June 17 it would no longer allow direct deposits, money orders or personal cheques as payment options.

The controversial change would leave buyers and sellers with two options: cash-on-delivery or payment via the online commerce website Paypal, which is owned by eBay.

The management of eBay has said the changes were aimed at improving transaction security.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has since kicked off an investigation and taken submissions on the possible effects of the proposed change.

"The ACCC acknowledges that having Paypal as the only payment provider has the potential to deliver some benefits to users, such as increased buyer protection insurance in certain circumstances," ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said in a statement.

"However, the ACCC believes that consumers are in the best position to decide which payment method is most suitable for them."

Mr Samuel has issued notice to eBay to temporarily halt its plans to shift to the new arrangement next Tuesday, saying it could give Paypal an unfair advantage over competitors.

"Given eBay's position as Australia's leading online marketplace, the notified conduct will substantially reduce competition to supply online payment services..." he said.

"In light of serious competition concerns raised in the draft notice and the significant concerns raised by interested parties, I have asked eBay to delay implementation ... until a final decision is made by the ACCC."

[cedarfiend]

Ebay is dead (I Hope) I can't wait to join this auction site (www.smartbid.com.au). I liked their press release

Pencil the first of July 2008 in on your calendar.
Why? Because this is the date Australians were finally provided with a community auction site, made by users for users.
Smartbid is a genuine alternative to EBay and the other various spin off auction sites whose not so lofty aspirations seem to be being regarded as the slightly lesser evil.
The difference? Smartbid is free! You can sell and buy items for no cost.
How can this work?
Community!
The Smartbid business model is so simple yet incomprehensible for other auction sites. We don’t mind making it public because we know it’s far too radical for the opposition to attempt so here it is:
Create a community of users and don’t rip them off
Smartbid will charge a minimal charge for some additional extras, if required in order to function as a viable busines.
Smartbid are not going to siphon money from their users so they can advertise on TV and radio. Our strength is our site and the services provided. This is the information age and what better method of spreading the word then a base of satisfied Internet savvy users.
Smartbid are not going to ask ‘how’ you found their site. They only care about ‘why’ you found their site.

[endgrain]

as of 10.00 a.m. this morning it cost a whopping $5.00 AUS to just register as a seller on "smartbid".
there is also NO advertised trading address as required by law, just a email link.
also VERY suss is:
"16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This user agreement is subject to the laws of Sydney, Australia."
end quote.
ain't real happy with ebay having a fascist monopoly either. (a law unto themselves)
rather the buy/sell thread in here, trading post, or whats wrong with a REAL LIVE LOCAL AUCTION HOUSE !
(keep your dollars IN OZ)

[cedarfiend]

Yeas well, I've spent the "whopping" 5 dollars averification fee and I can list and sell as much as I like.

Their cut when I sell something? 0 dollars!

I can list as much as I like now without incurring any other costs. Can any other site match that?

You can always find a few holes to pick but given that smartbid are a brand new site (they open officially in 6 hours), I think it is a very good very real alternative auction site.

[endgrain]

ah well, it's only 5 bucks, wonder if they'll send a receipt )
let us know how you go cedar, i.e. whether you get that western red feelin' or the true blue aussie stuff.
all the best with it.

[cedarfiend]

Well, so far my smartbid experience has been brilliant. I'm able to list as much as I want and I get to keep all of the selling price.

Look, smartbid seem to a community site for Aussies to sell stuff and it's such a good feeling knowing you've paid your 5 bucks and they aren't trying to fleece you at every turn.

I emailed their admin suggesting some additional categories and got a thank you back, plus they added the categories and gave me 5 bucks more free credit for my time. My head hurts trying to imagine Ebay or (any other site for that matter) doing that.

I'll reserve my final judgment but from first impressions smartbid have been an extremely professional and personable, community auction site (and Aussie too )