Looks like common sense has won out in the eBay drama we discussed at our last meeting. Alternate payment methods like Bank Deposit and COD will still be allowed on eBay Australia. Every auction must include PayPal but can include the other methods too.
This makes sense to me. PayPal is a useful and convenient way to buy stuff all over the internet. A lot of stores allow or even encourage PayPal. And using PayPal on eBay gives you some level of buyer protection too. I just think that it shouldn’t be restricted to PayPal only. What if I find something locally I want to buy and go round to pick it up - I want to pay cash not have to do it all online.
The outcome achieved here is the best for buyers and sellers alike. Sellers can still nominate PayPal as their only allowed payment method if they want to and buyers can use PayPal to pay if they choose to. But there is no monopolisation of the process to feed eBay revenues.
I don’t believe for a moment that eBay changed their mind '”to end confusion” or because of the complaints of users. They were prepared to bully buyers and sellers however they want. It was the ACCC forcing their hand that sorted it out.
So strike up a win for our tax dollars at work – you don’t say that every day do you!
eBay Australia ditches controversial payment policy.
Giving in to unrelenting pressure from sellers and the competition regulator, eBay Australia has officially called off its effort to force members to use its PayPal subsidiary for transactions on its e-commerce site.
The announcement came a week after eBay said it would postpone enacting the policy until the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had its final say.
"eBay has withdrawn its notification to the [ACCC] about removing other payment methods. Instead eBay will continue to allow all existing payment methods on eBay.com.au," the statement reads. "We have decided to withdraw the notification to stop any further confusion and disruption among the eBay Community."
eBay said it will continue to look for ways to foster a safer online environment for its users, but will do that "while still offering a variety of payment choices."
Sellers on eBay.com.au are still required to offer PayPal as at least one payment option, a requirement that took effect in May. Associated changes to PayPal Seller Protection and increased PayPal Buyer Protection remain in place.
Auctiva Article link
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