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The final straw: eBay going to 100% electronic payments.
coindeuce
Posts: 13,510 ✭✭✭✭✭
Just got the notice from Lorrie Norrington. Starting late October, sellers will NO LONGER have the option to accept checks or money orders for items which require shipping. ALLpayments will be required to go through their protected online payment services. I'm expecting a mass exodus of small time sellers like myself that are sick of their crap. Read all the latest propaganda here in paragraph 3.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
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<< <i>The final straw: eBay going to 100% electronic payments. >>
When eBay bought PayPal, I told people eBay would eventually try to do this and everybody said I was nuts.
Of course, being proved right about that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not nuts...
Is that true? If it is, will that section be treated differently than the coins/etc sections? Or, will it be removed because of that?
I really wonder how much ebay's upper mgmt is really thinking about things.....they are in a death spiral and are killing themselves for growth rather than doing things to promote profitability from those already using it.....
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>That sucks. I'm usually a proponent of eBay, but this no check and money order thing is an absolute joke. Sellers are going to leaves in droves and buyers won't be far behind. What a friggin' joke. >>
I think that the buyers will leave in droves. Many times I get MO's from folks that don't have credit cards or want to do the e-check route. My coin sales are usually far less
than $200 and MO's are just fine for lots of folks. I do take paypal as well.
bob
For a large selection of U.S. Coins & Currency, visit The Reeded Edge's online webstore at the link below.
The Reeded Edge
<< <i>I do not do high volume selling on eBay but I've always accepted check, money order and PayPal. I can't remember the last time the buyer DIDN'T use PayPal. >>
I agree ... I offer PayPal, along with M.O. & checks, but I would guess that only 1 in 100 does not pay via PayPal. As such, in my case, it will not make a difference.
Try getting $1300 from Poland someday...not easy. But with paypal....its a breeze. I can go to the ATM and pull it out in seconds ($400 per day that is).
Only thought that comes to my mind is that all too soon the US govt is going to want their 'fair share' or this.
ebay will suffer no doubt, but getting a money order is a pain in the butt....and I got ripped one time hugely with a personal check, so that wont ever happen again.
Leaves and droves, damn that sounds like someone driving in your tree leaves.
A lot of kitchen table sellers will disappear.
You had better be keeping good records because big brother is coming for his share.
<< <i>I had heard, awhile back (and this is 2nd hand info since I don't use the category), that some parts of ebay (such as adults only section), could NOT use paypal for some reason. >>
That, as well as several other categories, will be exempted from the new requirement.
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>The killer will be in 2010 or 2011 when the IRS starts getting automatic records of sales and payments.
A lot of kitchen table sellers will disappear.
You had better be keeping good records because big brother is coming for his share. >>
Really?
I knew it would happen.
Russ, NCNE
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
And Bochiman - you can take your nut job comment about me from your other post and stuff it!!! 16,663 posts! step away from the computer and get a life.
griff@ebay.com Aug-20-08 16:37 PDT
Q:
"...I just learned that soon my customers wont be able to pay by check or money order any longer. After all the years I have been selling on e-bay you will be squeezing me out of the E-bay business. I do accept paypal but I have faithful customers who dont choose to use it. ...
A:
And you can continue to do so. If a seller has "legacy" customers who prefer to pay you with an paper payment, you are free to accept these payments if you so choose. If a buyer contacts you and asks if they can pay with a paper payment method, you are free to do so. What will change in October is that sellers will no longer be able to provide the options for paper payments in either their description or emails to buyers.
Griff
We're taking steps to give sellers the most dynamic marketplace on the Internet: reduced upfront cost, optimized exposure, and a more consistent buyer experience to drive more sales.
Your Auction-style listings with a low start price are still the best deal on eBay -- no change in Auction-style fees!
Plus, we're introducing a new 35¢ Insertion Fee for Fixed Price listings-regardless of the asking price or number of items in the listing-with a 30-day duration and automatic renewal option at no extra cost. For some of your items, this new Fixed Price option may be a great solution.
Driving more sales with a more consistent buyer experience
We're taking other steps to ensure buyers keep coming back to eBay:
Limits on shipping and handling charges
Big seller rewards for free shipping, including free subtitle, a boost in search results, and double PowerSeller fee discounts
No more checks and money orders
New seller standards: Minimum 4.3 on all DSRs
More relevant search results to drive more sales. We're optimizing Best Match to surface the inventory most relevant to each buyer and show the best of Auction-style and Fixed Price.
(I THINK THAT MEANS THAT ANNOYING OPT OUT THING WILL BE PERMANENT) ^^^^
Get more information about these important changes. You're also invited to participate in one of several webinars scheduled for August 20-26.
Vic, what's been your experience with Amazon thus far?
I knew it would happen.
<< <i>propay is a better option than paypal as they are not as oppressive as Paypal >>
May not be as oppressive ... but it's a hell lot more expensive ...
Propay linky
<< <i>They are accepting merchant accounts and propay - both of which I have - propay is a better option than paypal as they are not as oppressive as Paypal- however I will continue to list with Amazon as I am done with Ebay.
And Bochiman - you can take your nut job comment about me from your other post and stuff it!!! 16,663 posts! step away from the computer and get a life. >>
I can't help it if you are a nut job
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
Yet the August 2008 revised Ebay rules state:
What about Google Checkout, Checkout by Amazon or Amazon Flexible Payment Services? Will these payment methods be offered?
No. The electronic payment methods available on eBay already provide security and protections and are already used by the vast majority of our buyers and sellers... Google's and Amazon's products and services compete with eBay on a number of levels, so we are not going to allow them on eBay.
This is a real smoking gun...the 18 1/2 minute gap...the stained blue dress...Ebay admits that they are banning competing online credit card
payment services because they might offer better protection, lower rates, or a higher level of service...to the ebay SELLERS who actually PAY for the service!
So.....are you implying that that $4,500 would disappear into thin air if people were forced to pay via an online solution? If so, that's a bit of a reach.
Dave
<< <i>Oh, and for those who think this ISN'T a bad move, this month alone I've deposited $4468.83 in checks and money orders. It will hurt anybody selling in the collectibles categories.
Russ, NCNE >>
Russ, I suspect you pointed this out to your eBay rep. Have they responded?
<< <i>So.....are you implying that that $4,500 would disappear into thin air if people were forced to pay via an online solution? If so, that's a bit of a reach. >>
I didn't deposit $4,500 in checks and money orders in my checking account this month, but if people were forced to use PayPal, a portion of what I did deposit would have disappeared into thin air. I know this because I receive email fairly often from buyers who thank me for accepting checks and money orders, because they'll never use PayPal.
<< <i>Wasn't it a short time ago when they forced this scam on the Australian market and it was struck down in court? I believe at that time they emphatically stated that they would not be imposing this requirement in the United States. >>
Of course they did. Do you suppose there are people who actually believed them?
<< <i>I thought I was hallucinating. It is real.. >>
I guess everyone noticed that for fixed price items, the base final value fee jumps from 8.75% to 12%
<< <i>Wasn't it a short time ago when they forced this scam on the Australian market and it was struck down in court? I believe at that time they emphatically stated that they would not be imposing this requirement in the United States. >>
////////////////////////////////////////////////////
The AU case was about forcing sellers to use "PayPal only."
That is not what is happening in the USA.
<< <i>I personally won't sell anything on ebay that is over $400 anymore. I know a few people who do checks only on large transactions to avoid any paypal horror stories like shipping a $4000 coin and someone making up a story saying the wrong coin was sent or the box was empty when it was completely fabricated to get a free coin. They then do a chargeback and someone could be out $4000 because someonly is out looking for a free lunch. Personally, there is no way I will sell anything over $400 or $500 when this new policy of no checks takes place just because I'm not going to be at a buyer's mercy of trying to scam me and paypal siding with them. I can accept the possibility of getting taken on a $300 or $400 coin, but anything over that is not worth it to me. >>
No offense, but as a buyer...I would never buy anything on Ebay that I unless I could with my Paypal or my personal credit card. The idea of trusting sellers with my personal check/funds and their "willingness" to return the same in a returns situation is enough for me to pass any auction that wants only checks or M.O.
The issue here is freedom of choice. This is just a move to boost paypal revenues. They can use any rational that they want - It is a move to boost revenues -- PERIOD.
A secondary effect could be to get rid of small time and periodic sellers that make so little or do it as a hobby that the effect of this move would be to put them out of business entirely. JMO. Bob
<< <i>
<< <i>I do not do high volume selling on eBay but I've always accepted check, money order and PayPal. I can't remember the last time the buyer DIDN'T use PayPal. >>
I agree ... I offer PayPal, along with M.O. & checks, but I would guess that only 1 in 100 does not pay via PayPal. As such, in my case, it will not make a difference. >>
This has been my experience also. The average buyer doesn't want to take the time to find a envelope/stamp and checkbook.
I will also make a concerted effort to try and support the board members here with alternative sites by listing some items there, as I have only dabbled before, but my focus is now the website, and I have screwed Ebay out of a cpl K already, with just a blip of a slowdown at startup, we are now even with past Ebay sales as a stand alone. And I just sell Lincolns folks, any of you more serious higher end sellers should think about it. If your good, your customers will follow you where ever you go.
Checks and Money Orders are extremely expensive and extremely old fashioned. I can't think of any place it is still in use except in the US.
When I cash a foreign (US) check or Money Order in Norway, the bank fee is about $75 USD.
In Sweden, I know it's even worse. I've heard about Swedes working for US Companies who are really annoyed by the fact that they get a pay check instead of an electronic payment. Why? There's a bank fee of $160 just for collecting your salary (check) in the bank.
The fees are so high because the banks no longer want to deal with checks.
<< <i>I think this is great news.
Checks and Money Orders are extremely expensive and extremely old fashioned. I can't think of any place it is still in use except in the US.
When I cash a foreign (US) check or Money Order in Norway, the bank fee is about $75 USD.
In Sweden, I know it's even worse. I've heard about Swedes working for US Companies who are really annoyed by the fact that they get a pay check instead of an electronic payment. Why? There's a bank fee of $160 just for collecting your salary (check) in the bank.
The fees are so high because the banks no longer want to deal with checks. >>
Shortsightedness to think this is "great news". You are likely to have less choices as a lot of smaller sellers will leave it or slow down. Since the last few changes, I have noticed a number of, previously active, sellers on my favorites list no longer list anything...or much of anything if they do.
So, instead of 1 location for many, you will have to go to many other locations or face potentially jacked up fees.
Now, as for the paypal vs checks/MO.....why do you think that is good? You aren't in the US, so if you are selling on the US ebay site, just specific "Paypal Only". Not rocket science there. Just because YOU are in a foreign country and they charge an arm/leg/testicle to cash a check/MO, doesn't mean this is a "great thing". Actually, it is rather rude of you to think it is great for this change especially since it likely doesn't affect you much at all.
Edited to add: I don't sell darkside coins on ebay, so I only sell to folks in the US. When I see crap like the above, I am glad I do. I don't have to worry about whining about customs/banks/etc.
I've been told I tolerate fools poorly...that may explain things if I have a problem with you. Current ebay items - Nothing at the moment
<< <i>
<< <i>I thought I was hallucinating. It is real.. >>
I guess everyone noticed that for fixed price items, the base final value fee jumps from 8.75% to 12% >>
Where did you see that?
One seller says 'I won't sell a $4000 item if I can't accept a money order'
One buyer says 'I wouldn't buy a $4000 iten without the protection of Paypal'.
Both sides have a vaild point which I mutually agree with.
As mentioned before by someone, Ebay's decision to only use Paypal results in the following:
(1) takes away our 'freedom of choice'
(2) the main reason is to boost Ebay's revenues (through Paypal use only).
Sad really.......Ebay should really hire some people who can truly think a situation through. They would be much better off in the long run.
"“Those who sacrifice liberty for security/safety deserve neither.“(Benjamin Franklin)
"I only golf on days that end in 'Y'" (DE59)
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I do not do high volume selling on eBay but I've always accepted check, money order and PayPal. I can't remember the last time the buyer DIDN'T use PayPal. >>
I agree ... I offer PayPal, along with M.O. & checks, but I would guess that only 1 in 100 does not pay via PayPal. As such, in my case, it will not make a difference. >>
This has been my experience also. The average buyer doesn't want to take the time to find a envelope/stamp and checkbook. >>
How pathetic. The same dumass/lazyass buyer who pays $5 for a 12 pack of Coke at a convenience store cuz he/she can't/won't plan ahead when the local supermarket has em 4 for $10.
<< <i>It's definitely a two way street.
One seller says 'I won't sell a $4000 item if I can't accept a money order'
One buyer says 'I wouldn't buy a $4000 iten without the protection of Paypal'.
Both sides have a vaild point which I mutually agree with.
As mentioned before by someone, Ebay's decision to only use Paypal results in the following:
(1) takes away our 'freedom of choice'
(2) the main reason is to boost Ebay's revenues (through Paypal use only).
Sad really.......Ebay should really hire some people who can truly think a situation through. They would be much better off in the long run. >>
1. There's no buyer protection w/PayPal over $2k.
2. These changes have been in the works for months. They've thought them through.