EBAY TO DISCONTINUE CHECKS, MONEY ORDERS AS PAYMENT OPTIONS

EMAIL ^ | 10/11/08 | Ebay

[shortstop]

Ebay is forcing customers to a payment option of Paypal or credit cards by October 20, 2008. Their email states:

Offer an approved electronic payment method by October 20

Make sure you're ready for an uninterrupted holiday selling season: Offer PayPal, a merchant credit card, and/or one of the other approved electronic payment methods by October 20 when checks and money orders will no longer be allowed.

Their release states as follows:

Faster, more secure checkout experience

Paper payments end this October

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

Paper payment methods such as checks and money orders will no longer be accepted on eBay.com.

By January 2009, all approved electronic payment methods will be integrated into eBay checkout. For example, buyers will be able to enter their credit card number directly into eBay checkout, and the payment will be routed to the seller's Internet merchant account or to their PayPal account.

Please note that the new payments policy will not apply to the vehicles categories in Motors, capital equipment categories in Business & Industrial, Mature Audiences and Real Estate.

See the seller checklist for more information about these important changes and tips for bulk-editing your listings.

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"What are you against this?"

See the replies following yours to see why I'm against this. Too many Paypal horror stories.

[org.whodat]

The golden rule!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Hmm. “Mature audiences” can pay with checks or money orders? Why? I understand about real estate and cars, but what makes adult material exceptional?
And what happens when you want to buy an $8k fur coat and your card is only good for $5k? You have the cash, but you don’t trust Paypal with it. You don’t bid. Seller doesn’t sell. Ebay doesn’t rake in fees.
Or seller doesn’t trust you not to chargeback. Seller decides not to sell. Ebay gets no fees.
What is wrong with them? Do they WANT to choke off sales?

[hellbender]

This is strange, because the mode of payment has always been up to the seller, not to eBay. Some sellers refuse to take anything but certified checks or money orders, for example.

[Osage Orange]

I've sold and purchased over 2000 items....and have never had a bad check or a bad m.o.

This is just another way for eBAY to make money. They own PayPal...and make an additional cut on every sell.

I they tried this in Aussie Land....and it got struck down??

[SolidWood]

I like PayPal . I probably would not buy on eBay without it .

It's a pain in the a** for sellers.

[Jewels1091]

I’ve bought hundreds of items on ebay and will only deal with money orders, i do not want my numbers where who knows how many people can get at them! I guess I will quit shopping there, which makes me sad.

[thegreatestgeneration]

Here are the best eBay alternatives:

1) bonanzle.com The best competitor to eBay yet, fantastic design, rising traffic, big and growing bigger. You can even import your eBay feedback if you want it to carry over.

2) Wtsy.com

3) Ecrater.com

4) Amazon.com (only works if your items have UPC’s)

5) Dawdle.com (for video games)

[FlingWingFlyer]

I’ve always used U.S. Postal Money Orders that I mail out the next business day after winning an item. I guess the item I won last night is that last time I’ll be buying anything from ebay. No big deal.

[Age of Reason]

What are you against this?

What's wrong with leaving it to the seller and buyer to agree on the form of payment?

[greene66]

I’ve been a member on Ebay since 1999, and have made over 500 transactions, all purchases. I’ve used a money-order on each and every one. If I’m no longer allowed to use money-orders, that will be the end of my participation with Ebay. I can promise them that.

[meatloaf]

Are you saying someone is counterfeiting US postal money orders?

I’ve usually paid with US postal money orders. If the seller doesn’t come through I can always turn them into the postal inspectors.

[Fu-fu2]

You are correct. I emailed for verification of the policy and this is what I was told-—it just won’t be stated that they accept mo or checks. I’ve never used the ebay checkout invoice, I send my own email to the winning bidder with payment options. I’ll just continue doing the same.

[max americana]

PAYPAL SUCKS! They are simply one of the top, most despicable companies to deal with.

How’s this for “customer service”: I challenged a buyer on the quality of a product and his site says that I can return any product if the product are not as specified. It wasn’t. It was paid via Paypal...and how did Paypal “attempt” to settle the issue between buyer and seller?

Paypal sends BOTH PARTIES (me and seller) a 50-page (yes, 50 pages of rules about Paypal and E-Bay). I couldn;t believe the gall on paypal. Now I know why’s it’s called “YOU’D BETTER PRAY-PAL”. You won’t get your $$ back.

[freeangel]

thanks for the alternatives

[pistolpetestoys]

I have bought and sold on E-Bay for 9 years and have over 3000 transactions.Paypal is great,but I have no problems with checks and MOs.I think this is paving the way for Obama to tax the internet by charging a percentage on every deal from the seller AND the buyer.We are so screwed.

[pistolpetestoys]

I have bought and sold on E-Bay for 9 years and have over 3000 transactions.Paypal is great,but I have no problems with checks and MOs.I think this is paving the way for Obama to tax the internet by charging a percentage on every deal from the seller AND the buyer.We are so screwed.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

#2 is etsy.com, no?

[DaltonNC]

“Two years ago I had an identity theft because of Paypal and Ebay....”

I had the same problem, I felt forced to buy identity theft insurance.
Turned out the criminal was in Indonesia

[curling]

Sounds like an opportunity for GOOGLE :)