fleabay gone of its rocker: NO MORE Checks or Money Orders!!

Message

#1 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:32 am

fleabay is going stark raving MAD!

A more consistent buyer experience to drive more sales
Sellers will enjoy the benefit of millions of confident buyers as we make the following changes:

* Limits on shipping and handling charges in some categories
* Rewards for free shipping:
- Free subtitle; more search exposure
- Double PowerSeller discounts
* Checks and money orders no longer allowed
* New seller standards: minimum 4.3 on all DSRs

WTF?

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

#2 Post by **gator** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:39 am

Wow, so finally it happened.

#3 Post by **jdhurst** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:49 am

I saw that, too. I have mixed feelings: On one hand, PayPal is so fast and simple. It does cost a bit more money in charges, but the transaction is speedy. And despite the average person that throws FUD at PayPal, it works. On the other hand, if a seller wishes to deal somehow externally (that is, accept my bid, but not demand instant payment), then I should be able to send them a bank draft (Money Order). Bank drafts also work really well, so should not be precluded. ... JDH

#4 Post by **gator** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:59 am

Aren't USPS postal money orders safer than cheques? I understand not accpeting cheques because they can bounce but don't we have to pay upfront for a PO? I don't understand that at all ...

#5 Post by **jdhurst** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:22 am

gator wrote:Aren't USPS postal money orders safer than cheques? I understand not accpeting cheques because they can bounce but don't we have to pay upfront for a PO? I don't understand that at all ...

Yes - for a money order (bank draft), we do pay up front, so I don't understand the logic at all.

I can see, for "Checkout Now" that PayPal would be the preferred vehicle (I like that as well), but if the seller is happy to have an assured payment mailed, that route should be available as well.
... JDH

#6 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:22 pm

It's just another scheme to put money in EBays pocket. They do own Paypal.

sarbin · #7 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 12:34 pm

ebay is the topic of much news lately.
http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/new ... y&n=10&a=1

they used to be the only game in town, but now they've got to clutch and grasp at just about anything to stay competitive.

#8 Post by **rkawakami** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:25 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:* Limits on shipping and handling charges in some categories

This one is a mixing blessing. Most everybody knows that sellers pad the S/H costs in order to recoup/minimize their eBay/PayPal fees. While I don't like the practice, I will admit to buying some items if I feel that it's not totally out of line. For example, if the seller charges $20 to ship a laptop and ends up using USPS Priority Flat Rate (~$10), that doesn't bother me. What irks me is when a listing for a fragile item says Priority Flat Rate shipping (implying a fairly good sized box) and it comes in a First Class envelope with no kind of protection at all.

I've also purchased plenty of bare optical drives, each with shipping costs of $10 or $12 each. The sellers do not offer any combined shipping discount. They arrive via UPS Ground, in a box labeled "1 lbs" and which could easily hold 3 drives with plenty of padding. Actual UPS charges are around $9 if I were shipping the package but they might be getting a break because of the volume they do. I'm a little disappointed that they don't combine shipments, but that's their system and I'm happy to get a DVD burner for less than $15 each.

The one thing I can see eBay doing in tightening shipping cost is to encourage sellers to use Buy-it-Now or a higher starting bid, both of which will generate them more $$$ in listing/final value fees.

Temetka · #9 Post by **Temetka** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:14 pm

How do they plan on enforcing this?

What is to stop me from e-mailing a seller and setting up a MO payment?

I use paypal, but only when it has funds. Which means only when I sell stuff. Otherwise I use US Postal Money Orders.

E-bay is going to lose more and more people with these things. They recently tried to force Australia to use paypal only. Thankfully the aussie courts handed e-bay their asses on that one.

So now if I sell something I can no longer leave negative feedback, but as a seller I also can't accept MO or check? I do not think this bodes well. I also have no problems circumventing e-bays policies if the continue to act in such a moronic fashion.

#10 Post by **Harryc** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:26 pm

Well, basically they can set it up so that the only way to end the auction is for the buyer to logon to Paypal and send money. They don't specifically mention credit cards though, so I don't know. What would stop someone from paying with a credit card, unless the only way you can do it is through Paypal...

sarbin · #11 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 3:31 pm

only other way to take cc payment...

Beginning late October 2008, all items listed on eBay.com must be paid for using one of the following approved payment options:

* Direct credit or debit card payment via a merchant credit card account
* PayPal
* ProPay
* Payment on pick-up

#12 Post by **KristianJ** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:21 pm

Temetka wrote:They recently tried to force Australia to use paypal only. Thankfully the aussie courts handed e-bay their asses on that one.

And our Reserve Bank has shown its displeasure in them as well for their compulsory PayPal offering stipulation:

http://tinyurl.com/5saeaj

PersonallI don't care much for money orders, but I prefer them over PayPal, that's for sure...

sarbin · #13 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:34 pm

hmmm... i wonder if the US FTC is looking at this.

joester · #14 Post by **joester** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:15 pm

sarbin wrote: * Payment on pick-up [/i]

Well, I suppose I won't pick up the item until I recieve the payment, and I'll put the item back down on the counter of whatever shipper I'm using.

When I tried setting up my Paypal account, the system put the name "Paypal" on the account. When someone sends me something, they ship to:

Paypal
123 WTF lane
Vestal, NY 13850

You wouldn't believe the shopping list of identity proof they want to rename the account.

Would this be the time for Craigslist to bump up the volume?

Joe

sarbin · #15 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:31 pm

joester wrote:123 WTF lane

thanks! i needed a laugh today!

#16 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:53 pm

joester wrote:Would this be the time for Craigslist to bump up the volume?

It's only a matter of time until they too force PayPal down your gob!
eBay owns approximately 25% of Craigslist already!

sarbin · #17 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:25 pm

we need the ftc to look into monopolistic practices.

goofyGAguy · #18 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:27 pm

eBay is not even close to being a monopoly.

basketb · #19 Post by **basketb** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:33 pm

rkawakami wrote:
RealBlackStuff wrote:* Limits on shipping and handling charges in some categories
This one is a mixing blessing. Most everybody knows that sellers pad the S/H costs in order to recoup/minimize their eBay/PayPal fees. While I don't like the practice, I will admit to buying some items if I feel that it's not totally out of line. For example, if the seller charges $20 to ship a laptop and ends up using USPS Priority Flat Rate (~$10), that doesn't bother me. What irks me is when a listing for a fragile item says Priority Flat Rate shipping (implying a fairly good sized box) and it comes in a First Class envelope with no kind of protection at all.

I've also purchased plenty of bare optical drives, each with shipping costs of $10 or $12 each. The sellers do not offer any combined shipping discount. They arrive via UPS Ground, in a box labeled "1 lbs" and which could easily hold 3 drives with plenty of padding. Actual UPS charges are around $9 if I were shipping the package but they might be getting a break because of the volume they do. I'm a little disappointed that they don't combine shipments, but that's their system and I'm happy to get a DVD burner for less than $15 each.

The one thing I can see eBay doing in tightening shipping cost is to encourage sellers to use Buy-it-Now or a higher starting bid, both of which will generate them more $$$ in listing/final value fees.

I don't get it. What's the big problem with inflated S&H charges from a buyer's point of view? Doesn't a buyer look at the total costs; i.e., item price + S&H, to decide if it's worthwhile or not? I don't think I'm the only one doing this. I really don't care if the seller asks for $20 or more for S&H, when it only costs $5 in actual postage to ship as long as I get a good deal overall.
From ebay's point of view I can understand this move, however. They want a bigger cut of the seller's revenue.

sarbin · #20 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:34 pm

goofyGAguy wrote:eBay is not even close to being a monopoly.

c'mon... lemme grumble!

joester · #21 Post by **joester** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:38 pm

sarbin wrote:we need the ftc to look into monopolistic practices.

Cable/telephone/internet service providers aren't allowed to have a monopoly, so Ebay shouldn't either.

Wouldn't it be great if Ebay had a week of decreased sales as a result of users protesting the new rules? After all, they're just forcing all sellers to give up a piece of the sale. If you don't use Paypal, they get nothing.

Joe

goofyGAguy · #22 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:53 pm

sarbin wrote: c'mon... lemme grumble!

Grumble all you want, it won't change anything.

sarbin · #23 Post by **sarbin** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:56 pm

goofyGAguy wrote:
sarbin wrote: c'mon... lemme grumble!
Grumble all you want, it won't change anything.

do you work for ebay or something?

#24 Post by **carbon_unit** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:05 pm

Let's look at an example for an auction for an item that will sell for $76.00 shipped.
I always avoid the auctions for a $1.00 item and $75.00 shipping because the auction always states they will refund the purchase price but not the shipping. So If they send a defective item it will cost you (more than $1.00) shipping to get your $1.00 back. You would be in a better situation to pay $66.00 for the item and $10.00 shipping.

goofyGAguy · #25 Post by **goofyGAguy** » Thu Aug 21, 2008 10:16 pm

sarbin wrote: do you work for ebay or something?

No, I would never stoop that low.

basketb · #26 Post by **basketb** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 12:03 am

carbon_unit wrote:Let's look at an example for an auction for an item that will sell for $76.00 shipped.
I always avoid the auctions for a $1.00 item and $75.00 shipping because the auction always states they will refund the purchase price but not the shipping. So If they send a defective item it will cost you (more than $1.00) shipping to get your $1.00 back. You would be in a better situation to pay $66.00 for the item and $10.00 shipping.

Good example. I guess I've been lucky. Haven't received many non-working items so far; only two that I recall and in both cases the sellers refunded all of the money and paid for return shipping. I guess they liked to keep their 100% feedback rating.
In your example, I'd always go for the $10 shipping guy as he strikes me as the more honest seller.

dsigma6 · #27 Post by **dsigma6** » Fri Aug 22, 2008 7:50 am

I've always offered free shipping on eBay (and here), but jacked the price up just enough to cover it (not here, though

).

I guess they're going to make up for any potential losses on eBay and pick up on them from increased PayPal revenue...

fleabay gone of its rocker: NO MORE Checks or Money Orders!!

fleabay gone of its rocker: NO MORE Checks or Money Orders!!

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