eBay abolishing paper transactions (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Have you guys seen this yet? I don't usually pay attention to the eBay announcements, and I noticed a detail in an auction, where the seller said something about eBay banning checks and money orders. I went to the announcements page, and found the relevant articles:

http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Payments/

and the FAQs on the policy change:

http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/OtherFAQ/index.html#3

What do you think? I only buy, and I do think that it's a pain to deal with sellers who only accept money orders. But my gut reaction is that I don't like anyone telling me what I can or can't do, and I don't know first-hand how this would affect sellers. I do prefer using PayPal to pay for auctions I've won, but don't mind writing a check.

I don't know-is this going to cause any sellers to leave eBay? I've said it elsewhere, I think they're tinkering with things that don't need tinkering, and it seems to me that there is an opportunity for a competitor to step in and set up an online auction site that looks and operates the way eBay used to, say, around 5 years ago.

What do you think?

 

[sceic2]

Monopoly is wonderful thing if you own one and I am not talking about Park Place or Boardwalk.

 

[marco55]

I don't use Paypal as somebody has tried to change my email and then someone else tried to get into my account, so I got rid of it and don't intend to use it again.If the sellers don't mind checks and money orders why should Ebay as long as they get their money.
Mark

 

[Njja]

I have used Paypal for about 8 years with very minor problems (reguarding their buyer protection).

I have always been able to get in touch with them, and always had my problems resolved.

I understand you can have problems, but a little patience will resolve most issues.

Receivng and sending money is safe and secure, and it seems E-bay is trying to make it the only way to pay for auctions.....since they own it.

I agree we should have a choice in how we pay, but I don't want people to think it isn't a good system.

I get paid quickly, and even though its a bit expensive, its a bargin compaired

to USPS shipping fees!

 

[nmrocks]

I Guess Ebay's greed knows no bounds, seems if they can't get a piece of every little piece of there operation, then screw you!!!
Ray

 

[nmrocks]

I'm not sure what this is because I just checked a couple of the auctions I have going and my listing still shows I accept Personel checks and Money orders, could this be for stores and commercial sales???
Ray

 

[jac28]

I'm not sure what this is because I just checked a couple of the auctions I have going and my listing still shows I accept Personel checks and Money orders, could this be for stores and commercial sales???
Ray

I know a lot of people who've had great success with PayPal and I WAS one of them. I had my account hacked into about a year ago... they were taking money from my bank account... the bank straightened it out (TWICE) but said they would charge me next time. I closed my PayPal account and will not open another one.

So I guess my days of using ebay are numbered...

Jim

BTW - Here's a notification they've recently posted.

October 24, 2008 | 11:11AM PST/PT

The site changes that support eBay's new Paperless Payments policy, per the announcement from Dinesh Lathi on October 21, are not yet available. We are working to launch these as soon as possible in the next few days. Sellers should continue to modify their listings appropriately to avoid any potential disruption in their business. We appreciate your support.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

It's about time. I never understand why people want to pay with a check or MO for an online transaction or auction. Although I still do get a few customers who do. I don't even take them for the few times I do sell anything on eBay. Your more likely to get a bad MO then have a problem through PayPal. I process thousands of transaction through my website with PayPal every year and have never had a problem. Bottom line it is still the most secure way to process a credit card transaction on the internet.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Bang goes ebay for me, I only use MO.

 

[marco55]

It's about time. I never understand why people want to pay with a check or MO for an online transaction or auction. Although I still do get a few customers who do. I don't even take them for the few times I do sell anything on eBay. Your more likely to get a bad MO then have a problem through PayPal. I process thousands of transaction through my website with PayPal every year and have never had a problem. Bottom line it is still the most secure way to process a credit card transaction on the internet.

I've never had trouble with a MO but have with PayPal.I guess it depends on ones personal experiences.
Mark

 

[nmrocks]

I've never had trouble with a MO but have with PayPal.I guess it depends on ones personal experiences.
Mark

Mark,
That's my experience as well, Paypal has it's place, like overseas transactions, but I regularly pay with a personel check when my Paypal account runs dry. I wonder how your local grocery store would do if They said they would only take credit or debit cards, no cash or checks?

My personel belief is this is another CEO who makes 5 mil a year and figured out he could make 20 mil. by running it into the ground and being fired!
Ray

 

[jac28]

I've never had trouble with a MO but have with PayPal.I guess it depends on ones personal experiences.
Mark

Mark - I agree.. Like I said I've had problems with PayPay - but like you, have never had a problem with a MO or check.. for checks I just wait for them to clear. All I know is with this new rule it'll cost me more money if I use PayPal - so eBay is hitting the seller 3 times: Listing fees, Final Value fee, and PayPal fee.

Maybe this will encourage more use of the "For Sale" threads on forums like this.

Jim

 

[jazzeum]

I've never had a problem with paypal but I don't like ebay using their monopoly power to force people to use their system. I'll still offer to take m.o.'s although no one has done that in a long time, until I'm told to stop.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Hi guys.
Several months ago in Australia Ebay tried to bring in a new payment policy.
There would only be two ways to pay. Paypal or cash upon pick up ! This caused a major outcry with petitions etc and was referred to our anti-competition regulator. As usual Ebay/Paypal trying to suggest it was for the benefit of the Ebayers and not becuase they own Paypal and get more fees. Even the banks were upset.
Just prior to the formal decision coming in (it was obviously going to be against them) Ebay withdrew the proposal.
However managed to upset a lot of sellers who objected to be told how they could receive payment.
Soon after that the 7th largest Ebay seller in Australia went bust. They were selling electrical goods but it was obvious they did not actually have the product in stock (coming from China) and their negative feedbacks were like 300 in one month. Feedback indicated customers paying and not getting the goods. I can't find the thread to refer you to but there were two main issues that upset Ebayers :
a) It was very obvious that Ebay should have known there were major problems with the seller just by the sheer number of negative feedbacks but the seller was allowed to keep selling for a while. This was before the A$ started to fall. Ebay's main response was they could not comment on specific cases.
b) those who had paid by Paypal were not too happy with the actions by Paypal to resolve their complaints. Paypal said they had set up a specific fund to deal with the issue (it was millions of dollars involved). Had many questioning the Paypal "security" and got Paypal a lot of bad press here. I think they finally got paid but it was a slow and painful process.
These two incidents did a lot of damage to the Ebay reputation.
Thought you guys might be interested since we had a lot of debate about this down under and Ebay gave up in response to the negative press.
Regards to all.
Brett

 

[Cardigan600]

Yo Troopers, I personally think Paypal is the best thing since sliced bread. I can pay for an item in seconds anywhere in the World which is a big plus, imagine trying to get payments sorted out otherwise. if its UK no problem I just send a cheque. Not so long back had a non Delivery item from Holland, so the seller said claim through Paypal which I did, Paypal got in touch with both of us and in two days paid the money into my account for the item not received. So its not all bad.
Bernard.

 

[theBaron]

I'm not sure what this is because I just checked a couple of the auctions I have going and my listing still shows I accept Personel checks and Money orders, could this be for stores and commercial sales???
Ray

According to the announcement, current listings that offered paper payments are grandfathered, and there is a list of sales that are exempted from the new policy, such as auto sales (and adult items, I noticed). But as of yesterday, all new auctions must offer electronic payments, and checks or money orders are not allowed (http://pages.ebay.com/sell/August2008Update/Payments/)

I did see a notice posted yesterday, too, that the site changes aren't implemented yet; it sounds like they're having technical difficulties in deploying the page changes. As an IT person, I'm not surprised.

As to the change, like I said, I don't have a problem, I've gotten used to the speed of transactions carried out via PayPal or other electronic payments. I just wonder whether eBay will drive away some vendors, and if they do, whether the numbers are significant enough to cause them alarm. Probably not.

Prost!
Brad

 

[mestell]

Go figure that. eBay owns PayPal so why is there any surprise? Just another way of feeBay getting more of the seller's money. I have never had a problem with PayPal, checks or money orders. Although I prefer PayPal, I don't mind sending or receiving MO or checks. This new policy bothers me - I would like to have the payment options - not restrictions.

Mike

 

[Gideon]

In the announcement, eBay actaully states that credit card transactions can be done privately if the vendor/seller accepts credit cards. Well, I do so that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, once a customer calls in they can always ask the seller if a money order is ok.

One thing that is so totally overlooked in all of these transactions is the crazy ability we all have to pick up the telephone and call a seller or vendor if the phone number is displayed.

I have always been surprised by how few phone calls I receive during my auciton cycles for questions and payments. Seems people really honestly do prefer the annonymity.

In practice, I receive probably one money order per 60-70 auctions sold.

Lastly, just because someone tried to change your email address or hack into your paypal account doesn't mean paypal is a wash. People are constantly making attempts to get your credit card info from the issuing companies and brick and mortar places you shop at. And, they get in and steal data far more easily than they do paypal.

Paper payments are becoming obsolete.

 

[Spitfrnd]

I know a lot of people who've had great success with PayPal and I WAS one of them. I had my account hacked into about a year ago... they were taking money from my bank account... the bank straightened it out (TWICE) but said they would charge me next time. I closed my PayPal account and will not open another one.

So I guess my days of using ebay are numbered...

Jim
.....

Maybe you know this Jim but you do not have to link Paypal to your bank account. I link mine to a virtual credit card with a limit I set for each transaction. They can hack away but they will get nothing but a rejected card. It couldn't be more secure. Also, if for some reason you want to use a checking account, simply create one specific for such purposes and don't keep much in it. I still prefer the double protection of the paypal / virtual card though.

 

[jazzeum]

I just listed a couple of things and they still show money orders as an option.