Baralier ([info]baralier) wrote,
@ 2008-04-16 19:01:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend  Next Entry
Current mood: annoyed
Entry tags:computer, copyright & censorship, ebay

Ebay does WHAT?!?!?
Just stumbled across this article about Ebay removing payment options for transactions as from 17th of June.

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).

So no direct deposit, no cheques, no money orders and no non-Paypal credit transactions.

The ACCC have begun investigations into whether this can be considered Trade Monopoly and have asked people for submissions. Ebay have effectively agreed that it is but have asked for an exemption under the auspices of them doing it for the safety of Australian Ebay users.

Unsurprisingly, many Ebay users seem to think they are able to make up their own minds about what is best for them. And while I generally think online petitions aren't worth the paper they're written on I'm going to sign this one.

Normally I don't spend much time on the Ebay forums, but they're awash with discussion too.

Personally I use Paypal, but for local buyers I use Direct Deposit where available. I've been buying things online for over 10 years now. And I was buying things from overseas before I had a computer. They only time I've ever had a problem with losing money: Paypal.

I'm hoping that the ACCC will be treating Ebay like the Microsoft of online Auctions. Then perhaps the choice of payment options will be retained. Ebay is already getting money from listing fess and a percentage of the sale price. They don't need more from handling the transaction as well.

Edit: Apparently there was a story on this on A Current Affair tonight as well. The talking head from Ebay likened the introduction of Paypal to the introduction of the use of seat-belts in Australia (!) and someone has already come with this:


(12 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]spider_kitten
2008-04-16 09:37 am UTC (link)
Bugger that for a joke.......I always use direct deposit

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]greylock
2008-04-16 10:39 am UTC (link)
I used Paypal for International orders (many require it), but I'm with you. I prefer DD. You can usually track down a bad seller with that data too.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]maffyew
2008-04-16 10:31 am UTC (link)
With you on this one hundred percent. It's a complete bullshit excuse, along with Paypal's whole "Hey, pay by direct debit, it's safer than credit cards!" crap, which is completely and utterly false.

There are plenty of safeguards in place for credit card use at the moment that favour the cardholder far more than the merchant. I'll be extremely disappointed if they're granted this exception.

I've been buying things online for 6+ years now, and my experience is identical to yours - the only time I've ever had a dodgy transaction and not been able to retrieve the money? Paypal.

(Reply to this)


[info]andricongirl
2008-04-16 12:00 pm UTC (link)
more likely its to stop people changing to google checkout in the US. and to stp competition once it gets viable here.

theres no more protection using paypal than any other method online, its just greedyness on thier part.

I use paypal all the time and it is easy for OS and for CC payments.
but they shouldn't be able to force your payment from DD .
though how would they know anyway, Im sure you could still just pay DD anyway if its organised privately.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]wildilocks
2008-04-16 03:34 pm UTC (link)
I've been waiting for Google Checkout to be launched in Australia for over a year now ... if they miss this opportunity for vast amounts of quick conversion, they'll be crazy, so I am crossing fingers they hurry up and get their act together here... they've been promising for sooo long.

I've heard that eBid and Oztion are the places to go now. NZ funnily enough never had eBay take off, they have TradeMe.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]greylock
2008-04-17 05:38 am UTC (link)
I've heard that eBid and Oztion are the places to go now

The problem is eBay has critical mass.

Take for example a search undertaken at random, for "DDR Ram".

eBay: 320 items found for: ddr ram (Australia only)
Oztion: Found 29 DDr Ram in All main categories.
eBid: No items found.

Actually, Oztion may be up my alley. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

/Screw you eBay.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]drjon
2008-04-16 12:51 pm UTC (link)
The only times I've been ripped off on eBay, the merchants refused PayPal.

Myself, as a buyer I'm happy to pay by PayPal.

(Reply to this)


[info]absinthangel
2008-04-16 01:14 pm UTC (link)
Hope you wont mind my cross-posting your post to my LJ circle too!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]baralier
2008-04-16 01:30 pm UTC (link)
Go right ahead.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]gearworks
2008-04-17 04:19 am UTC (link)
Seeing as "Monopoly" is quite prolific in American history (recent history included) and many of my favorite historical figures are monopoly owners, I think that if ebay wants to sell stuff a certain way, then they can. You don't have to sell or buy through ebay after all. They aren't forcing you.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]baralier
2008-04-17 05:34 am UTC (link)
The pertinent point here being this is Australia, not the US. At this point in time Ebay USA, Canadan, UK, or any of the other affiliates have not announced any plans to force its users to a PayPal only system. In Australia monopolies are disliked. There are even laws against them. Considerably stronger than the ones the US Supreme Court used to stop Microsoft with it's software bundling.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

[info]gearworks
2008-04-17 05:45 am UTC (link)
I'm just saying that's my perspective.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(12 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…