Re: Mr. Roboto
"Watch in a few years Paypal will be the only method of payment allowed."
It's happening in June here in Australia... And I'm sure it won't be long until it's enforced worldwide.
taken from:
http/www2.ebay.com/aw/au/200804.shtml#2008-04-10105658
10 April 2008 | 11:05AM EST
"We're making it safer for all our members to trade on eBay.com.au. To ensure members use only the most secure payment methods, it will soon be required to offer PayPal on all listings on eBay.com.au.
When will this occur?
Changes will be introduced in two stages:
1. All items listed for sale on eBay.com.au on or after 21 May 2008 must offer PayPal as one of the payment methods.
2. All items appearing on eBay.com.au as of 17 June 2008 must be paid for using one of the following:
1. PayPal
2. Pay on pick up (i.e. paid for when picking up the item)
3. Visa/MasterCard (with transactions processed by PayPal).
No other payment methods will be permitted. "
So in effect, they're limiting the options, at least here in Australia for now, to ONLY accept Paypal payments!
In case you weren't aware, Paypal is owned by eBay:
Troy Wolverton (2002-10-03). It's official: eBay weds PayPal. CNet.
http/www.news.com/Its-official-eBay-weds-PayPal/2100-1017_3-960658.html
So eBay is double dipping, once with their listing fee, and again with their Paypal transaction percentage. That's not counting the profit that they make from international currency exchange.
A seller that I know very well recently received a negative feedback for an "incorrect shipping and handling fee" from an idiot buyer. The amount charged for S&H was LESS than the value of the stamps on the package, and, the item was carefully padded and packed at no charge. Under the new system, the seller has no other option than to open a dispute with eBay in an attempt to get the seller to mutually agree to withdraw feedback. My friend tried this, the buyer IS an idiot, it wasn't withdrawn.
I can understand eBay's intention to turn their auction site into a buyers market, but if they continue to mistreat their sellers, how long will it take before the sellers jump ship and their is nothing left to buy?