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EcommerceBytes-Update, Number 213 - April 20, 2008 - ISSN 1528-6703     Previous |

AuctionBytes Soundoff: Letters from Readers

By Ina Steiner
EcommerceBytes.com

April 20, 2008
 



In every issue, readers soundoff about issues important to them. From feedback to payment services, from increased fees to posting policies, AuctionBytes Soundoff gives you a chance to air your views.

You can also read the AuctionBytes blog, which has a place for reader comments under every posting (http://blog.auctionbytes.com).

********

Re: "eBay Australia Bans All Payment Methods Except PayPal"
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y08/m04/i10/s01

This will happen everywhere soon. Paypal is such a massive cash cow that it is unlikely eBay will permits other forms of payment unless the courts stop it. It may just be illegal in the USA but they may try it anyway. The loyalty of eBay will be to the investors/stockholders at the expense of the sellers and buyers.

Like all capitalists it will exploit those whose labors generate the income in favor of those who live off the fruits of the labors of others.
Kal

********

Isn't Ebays requirement of using Pay Pal mandatory, a case of A Monopoly, not to mention black mail? Not right.. some people do not want to pay 40.00 to Ebay or more for a high priced item to list, when a blog is Free anywhere, and doesn't cost Ebay more money to sell a .99 cent item then it does a 1000.00 item.. But the big money is the Final Value Fee plus the added income from using Pay Pal, they get the kick back all over again, and on top of that, you are being charged a fee on the shipping fees that the buyer is sending you.. Now that is not fair either, but how do we fight it.. Class Action Suit? We sellers need a lawyer, to represent us in class action suits..

Ebay is not being fair to anyone but them!!!!!!!!

********

Hi Ina.
Please consider this email for publication or for editing, or whatever you see fit. I accept that no payment will be made to me.

eBay UK users have no confidence in Trust and Safety.

They say that they are "clamping Down" on excessive P&P, yet when the worst offending listings, like some of these, are reported they are not removed.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6d2oro

Also, on 30 January, 2008 it was announced that from 20th February 2008 it would no longer be permissible for sellers to add VAT charges (a sales tax) to an item after the sale.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/200801301815062.html

Users of the Community boards have reported literally HUNDREDS of violations (if not thousands) yet we are not aware of ANY listings being removed, despite these reports.

Here are some of the views of the eBay Community on the matter, including one comical admission from the Head of Trust and safety stating that, off the top of his head, he had no idea how to ensure that members can report sellers who are still charging VAT on items.

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100160146&tstart=0&mod=1207952623998

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100159917&tstart=0&mod=1207951089921

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100157518&tstart=160&mod=1207916019602

http://forums.ebay.co.uk/thread.jspa?threadID=1100159917&tstart=0&mod=1208157640966

Thanks

********

PayPal is giving answers that make no sense. Anyone out there know what is going on? Here's what happened:

I spent a couple of hours on phone with PayPal this week.

Cannot accept a payment...glitch on their end according to them, but it has been since Sunday. I always can accept payment. This one not...due to system update per PayPal.

My autosweep to my bank account is not working...due to system update per PayPal. According to them, it could take a month. BTW, the person I talked to said there was NO such thing as an autosweep, repeatedly, like I was nuts. I've been doing this for a year.

Has PayPal been hacked? Are they trying to keep our money without telling us?

This "system update" for a month answer makes no sense to me who worked in computer industry for 20 years...no one would update for 30 days (and, I said 30 days over and over when I asked how long to PayPal.)

********

I don't know if you have received any other verification on this but...

I won my first dispute involving a foreign non receipt complaint. Paypal used the priority mailing custom code as proof of mailing. They have never done this before and I have about 4 other ones before the change that I lost (also sent priority) because of no proof of mailing. Looks like maybe paypal really has changed.

Of course this is only one dispute,
Kent

********

Re: "eBay Australia Makes PayPal Processing Mandatory"
http://blog.auctionbytes.com/cgi-bin/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2008/4/1207774925.html

Hello Ina,
Yet another move to so inflame their customers in Australia!

Check out the community boards - ebay have begun to hide all the complaints on a "new" board:
http://forums.ebay.com.au/forum.jspa?forumID=500000001
http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.jspa?threadID=500078847&tstart=0&mod=1207884510674

This petition has grown so fast, over 1000 posts in less than 24 hours.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ebayau/petition.html

I think this new policy will see yet more small sellers struggle even more than fee hike 2006 days. Ebay constantly reminds us that they are merely a venue, surely this goes against that statement?

Choice is a part of democracy, ebay is eroding this and forcing may buyers who distrust Paypal into using it. Imaginee bricks and mortar stores operating the same way, I know I would be looking elsewhere!

I still use ebay, unfortunately, as the recent interest rates bite I need as many sales outlets as possible to survive. I am not uncertain whether customers would still be on ebay for it to be worthwhile staying once this insane policy cuts in.

---

Hi Ina,
It looks like eBay AU is telling the sellers to use this link to post their comments about the Paypal only policy.

Only problem is.... there is NO link on the discussion boards to access the new board titled Changes announced on eBay.com.au
http://forums.ebay.com.au/forum.jspa?forumID=500000001
There IS a small mention of the newly dedicated board on the right hand side where announcements are made.

There are also a few threads discussing it.
http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.jspa?threadID=500079095&tstart=0&mod=1207880436713 http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.jspa?threadID=600086142&tstart=0&mod=1207880660190 http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.jspa?threadID=600086145&tstart=0&mod=1207880633256

Every day is a new adventure.....
Keep up the great reporting !!
Nancy

About the author:

Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and AuctionBytes.com and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @auctionbytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com.


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