Australian eBay members are about to be 'force feed' a diet of PayPal as the only electronic means of purchases and sales.

This Blog is simply to raise questions to the viable operation of this partnership between eBay and PayPal at the level we are about to be encountered with. Yes, both are well in each others pocket in ownership and partnership arrangements in place. This relationship held a balance to Australian eBay memebers in allowing the righful and non- restrictive methods of purchases and sales to include Direct Deposit to a nominated bank account, Money Order, Bank Cheque and of course the back door excuss used by eBay as the 'alternative' to PayPal - COD (Cash on delivery).

I am a supporter of both eBay and PayPal, I have been for some time and will continue to support both these organisations. I would currently have around 50% of my sales paid for using PayPal and I personally use PayPal for quite a few purchases.

 The first issue is 'choice'. It amuses me to eBays claim in offering COD as a viable alternative to PayPal. Sorry eBay, this option actually encourages a higher risk envoirnment. It would be great to see 'facts' over the fiction in this issue and for eBay to claim PayPal is 'the' way to protect buyers - it might be said that eBay is simply lazy for not implimenting a strict and more rigid application process for sellers.

Many other auction sites validate a seller by many means - some include Postal address verification, Credit Card verification, Phone verification & others. Yes, there may be a small fee attached to these verification methods but the payment options offered are not restricted to one electronic means of payment.

My clients and I have a right to offer as many ligitament methods of making or accepting payments, if eBays 'true' concern is to protecting buyers then why has eBay not offered or introduced verification methods as mentioned above to Australian members. Instead and most convieniantly, eBay and PayPal strengthen their backpockets, sorry partnership in excluding payments methods accepted by vertually any other retail, auction site or market places.

Aside from the 'force feeding' of PayPal for future purchases and sales, there are some significant questions that need to be asked to the 'User Agreements' that both parties have each member agree to.

One aspect of the user agreement is both groups signifantly differ in regards to 'Disputes'. So eBay wants to offer better protection for buyers, why is eBays policy for accepting 'disputes' longer than the period allowed on PayPal.

Sinario - A buyer actually has a genuin need to place a claim for 'not received item'. eBay currently allows upto 60days for logdement of a claim, where PayPal only allows 45days. This actually means all buyers that use eBay for a purchase that wait 46 days for delivery, this buyer can not make a claim against PayPal for an item not received.

Sorta goes against the grain of the eBay and PayPal rouse to better buyer protection doesn't it?

If eBay and PayPal intentions were to offer the best possiable protection for buyers in removing all other payment options, why do eBay and PayPal allow a 15day period of difference in everting a claim by a buyer?

eBay buyers could be confused by this difference or does this mean eBay will be removing their process for 'disputes' when PayPal is effectivly the only method of accepting payment. If eBays and PayPal intentions are to assist buyers, this annomily does not support their actions in removing legitimate and alternative payment methods.

It is well documented that fair trading are looking at this arrangement and are incouraging people to write in with their concerns. This is good advise, for the other major issue I see is the evidence that eBay encourages Business building with the eBay site, promote sellers to build a feedback score and invest into the eBay site via many methods.

I know I am concerned to the effects of the eBay and PayPal dual feeding chamber arrangement. How many potential buyers will no longer use eBay that would not pay via PayPal ? Will I loose business, will my slim margins be erroded further ? I do not think it is fair and reasonable that an individual or group that sets up a hobby or business to operate on eBay needs such a dramaticly change to the dynamics of payment methods.

It is not right, it is not fair and it holds little respect to the 99% of sellers that operate with the absolute best intentions.

We hope and cross fingers that the uproar in Australia will guide eBay and PayPal to reversing their ill thoughtout changes to payment methods.

As mentioned, eBay and PayPal are very well recieved and supported organisations, my assoication will continue and I hope eBay values my above comments as a faithful member that feels this particular change is not for the good.

Regards,

Bayo_Madness