VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Is this really true?

I saw this message from an eBay seller today:

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO A MANDATED CHANGE FROM EBAY, WE CAN NO LONGER ACCEPT CASHIERS CHECKS, MONEY ORDERS OR PERSONAL CHECKS. MANDATED EBAY POLICY REQUIRES US TO ACCEPT PAYPAL PAYMENTS ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT BID ON ITEMS UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO PAY BY PAYPAL. WE REGRET ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY CAUSE SOME OF OUR WONDERFUL BUYERS!! WE WILL LOSE OUR EBAY ACCOUNT IF WE DO NOT ABIDE BY THIS CHANGE IN POLICY. THIS IS NOT OUR CHOICE, THIS IS EBAY REGULATION.

Are the sellers forced to avoid Western Union etc., only accepting PayPal from now on?

I haven't heard any of this stuff, he may be talking some trash.....Maybe it is just for his overseas customers? I'll check on a couple of items I am bidding on.
P.S. I looked and several vendors for 53 chevrolet parts will accept Paypal, Money orders, cashier checks or personal checks. Maybe the vendor made that statement just to make you think that he was a "good Guy" forced to do Paypal by EBAY.

I do Paypal it is easy for me, not only on ebay but other internet vendors. I don't give them my banking information, I have my special credit card number on file with Paypal and use it to pay for internet items I purchase, dues to different places etc. I keep a close watch on the charges to the card and haven't had any problems in 3 or 4 years that I have been using Paypal. I have been told that Paypal is as secure as you can get on the internet, but I really don't know about that, just what works for me. I do have the old card voided and get a new card every so often, just in case.......

I have used a U.S. Postal International money order to pay for items I have bought from a foreign (not USA or Canadian vendors) but not a regular US money order, I like the security of a US Postal Service Money order, but it does cost some money and is a PITA, having to go to the Post office, then fill in all the spaces on the Money Order and receipt..

Yes it's true. Effective with sales/listing 10-20-08 As a long time seller on eBay I find this limiting to customers. Business 101: Do not limit your customers options to pay for items. I find in this hobby there are a lot of people that prefer to pay with Money Order or Checks. With Paypal you can use your account or use a Credit Card. I'll soon see how this new policy works. I plan to list a few things this week.

I recieved a message from Ebay announcing 10 percent off any Pay Pal purchases untill Oct.31st. Made no mention of other types of payments.
, etc.

Actually, it is not trash...it is completely true! The following was posted in the eBay "Announcements" this past August, and it is just one more way that the greedy dudes that run eBay are gaining more money from their eBay supporters. eBay owns PayPal....nuff said!

Below is just a small portion of the eBay announcement posted in August:

Checks and money orders no longer allowed!

What's changing with payments on eBay?
Beginning in late October 2008, checks and money orders will no longer be allowed as payment methods on eBay. All items appearing on eBay.com must be paid for using either:
PayPal (funded by PayPal account balance, credit card, debit card, bank account, PayPal Pay Later, PayPal Buyer Credit or eBay gift certificate)
Credit or debit card payment to a seller (through a seller's Internet merchant account)
ProPay
Payment upon pickup
In January 2009, all of the approved electronic payment methods will be integrated into eBay checkout. For example, if a seller offers credit or debit card as a payment option, buyers will be able to directly enter their credit card information securely in eBay checkout and their payment will be directly routed to the seller's Internet merchant account.

We are also working with other electronic payment providers currently included in our Accepted Payments Policy to integrate their services into eBay checkout in 2009.

Do these changes affect all eBay sites?
These changes only affect the U.S. eBay site. Check other countries' individual sites for more information and updates.

What if I don't take at least one of these steps by late October, 2008?
You will not be able to list new items or relist using the same templates. Your current listings will remain on eBay.com until they end. Good 'til Canceled listings will be displayed on eBay until they come up for relisting at the end of 30 days.

What will happen if I ask a buyer to use a prohibited payment method?
Requesting prohibited payment methods from your customers either by email or in your item description is a violation of the new Accepted Payments Policy. Violations of this policy may result in:
Listing cancellation
Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings
Limits on account privileges
Loss of PowerSeller status
Account suspension

Yeah, like VCCA Son stated, it's true alright. We had a big discussion about it over at another board. Many sellers are not happy about it, as well as buyers.

I would say that it won't mean on any sales from "Buy it Now" sales, dealing direct with sellers that list their phone numbers and adresses, or I hope not anyway, as that is the only way I buy off E-bay. I believe my account is now inactive from lack of use and I don't have/don't want Paypal.

Bill

I won't use PayPal either!

Sadly it is true and this was trialed here in Australia Ebay own Paypal ,this is corporate greed at it's best/worst "Monopoly" there was some talk about a law suit but I havn't heard much more about it . Everyone should email Ebay and tell them that there not using their service anymore.

If everyone hit eBay in their greedy pocketbook then maybe they would listen. Problem is, most eBay dudes are too fanatical about eBay so they will comply with this new stupid rule. I won't use PayPal so when the new rule takes effect and I can no longer use money orders or other forms of legal US currency, then I will be gone from eBay. As you said, others need to do the same.

I can understand the frustation of being forced to accept only one payment solution, and also have heard some stories of PayPal being the bad guy to sellers. But as to the buyers, they have a security built in to the PayPal system. If a seller is misbehaving or trying not to do a fair deal, a buyer will be helped by the system. If a buyer does not pay as asked, the seller still can replay his auction without loss.

Some time ago I bought two neon signs from an adress in USA on eBay. They were clearly said to measure: 18 x 12". The signs arrived, but from Hong Kong and the actual size was 12 x 8". On goods from H.K. the customs here always charge VAT and tax, while we normally get the items for free from USA. But the main cause was the difference in sizes.

Through PayPal I asked a deduction of 50%. Unfortunately for the seller another 14 buyers also had made complaints of same character. A little later I got a full refund while the seller was banned from eBay.

During these last years I know many buyers, including myself, normally preferring to pay fast and secure through PayPal, even if we sometimes also have sent cash. We have normally been far more willing to bid (and higher)on auctions, accepting that system. The Western Union, cheques and M.O. are far too expensive, unsecure and too slow to use (compared with PayPal) from Norway.

I agree it will be a loss and a pity if sellers with good parts stop trading through eBay next month. Still there must be a lot more than 100.000 auctions ending each 24/7, so I hope for enough sellers accepting PayPal, as very many already do.

Luckily I also have good direct connections with US-sellers I trust with my card or cash when I need more parts for my cars.

Oh No, say it ain't so!!!

I use ebay a lot for purchase and general info. 99% of my purchases using a Cashiers Checks. Never had a problem as a buyer.

-----BUT-----I used paypal one time, about 3 years ago. and what a nightmare that was.

The problem was paypal confused my CC numbers and data with another person. This resulted in wrong CC charges and a big mix up of data.

I remember trying to fix the mess they created and as a result my view is, Paypal was/is not responsive and a very odd group of people. Until the certified letter from my attorney got their attention.

I don't think I can/could regain the confidence necessary to use their services.

I just checked my ebay history and I've purchased over two-grand worth of products {99% Chevrolet stuff} on ebay and 99% of them were paid using a Cashiers Check.

From my perspective paypal would not be the least bit concerned that I was not going to make further purchases using their services. Oh well, things change.

Enjoy the ride,
Michael41

Mike, Paypal may not be too concerned about your problems, but they need to know that a club of 8000 souls is a bit more of a market than just your one account. There should be some way that VCCA could influence vendors like Paypal and ebay of our concerns.

I guess I am lucky, I decided to give Paypal a try about 4 years ago. The first couple of purchases with the credit card drew some high pressure responces from them, indicating that they needed my banking information, to "verify" my account, I ignored their advances and only use the credit card on file to purchase, I never sell on eBay using the Paypal account, infact I never sell on ebay, the pile of parts in my shop can testify to that. If I have stuff to sell it goes to our Lone Star Region's Swap meet at Traders' Village in Grand Prairie, Texas during June of each year....... many of our vendors accept CASH, credit and debit cards and some of us will even do some bartering.

Mrmack I did send ebay/paypal an FYI, with OUT mentioning VCCA.

With $500+-MILLION in sales, I am less than a drop in the bucket.

I do and will use CC on line, with quality companies. I have to have a LOT of confidence before I buy on-line. Paypal offered me a poor experience. And experince is the way a buyer developes PERCEPTION. Perceptions do not change becasue our expereince do not fade away.

Were lucky in the west, we have a lot {@ swap meets} car parts for sale, and cash is still king. But all of them do not add up to ebay motors.

So I'm sorry to hear of the changes.

I guess if I wanted to know why this policy is being planned, all I would have to do is follow the money. As we have all seen, money makes the rules.

enjoy the ride,
Michael41

Yes the love of and greed for MONEY is what drives so much of our earthly attitudes, behavoirs, ambitions, follys and disasters, and accomplishments.

I have been taught that nevermind changing someone's attitude,We need to work on changing their behavoir, to heck with worrying about attitude.
We need to work on changing ebay's behavoir. Don't look, don't buy, don't sell.

Pay Pal Only!!! Horrible. I've NEVER used Pay Pal and I NEVER will.

I'm certainly not a big ebayer (FB something like 75) so I guess they won't be losing much when they lose me.

I've got two $100 Pay Pal "gift certificates" given by a friend as Christmas presents 2-3 years ago. I asked Pay Pal for a "refund" because I didn't use their service. Their response was use 'em or lose 'em.

I can guarantee ya, no credit card number or bank accn't number of mine will EVER be given to Pay Pal.

Bill.

People are only forced to use PayPal if they let eBay dictate to them what form of payment they have to use. eBay is not going to force me to use PayPal period! This is the first time that I have run into a major US corporation that would not take personal checks, cashiers checks, money orders or cash......which are all legal US currency! And, this rule apparently only applies to those of us in the USA, which is discriminatory on top of it!

At any rate, many sellers and buyers dislike PayPal for various reasons and it should be up to the sellers what type of payment they prefer to accept from the buyers.....not eBay!

I have already started to phase out my watch list on "My eBay" in anticipation of the "PayPal Takeover". Been on eBay for 10 years but no more once PayPal becomes mandatory.

JYD
USA is not the only section of ebay going paypal only, a similar notice was posted on Aus ebay at the same time so my guess is that it is the whole system.
I have used paypal several times with no problems but it is a slow process, 4 or 5 days on average.
Tony

To use eBay or similar systems is still a free choice for anybody to use. If you don't want to accept their conditions, then don't use it, just as several here are telling. Just like any other service or item, you have to accept the terms of that company. If the terms are not acceptable to many enough the company has to change or go bankrupt in the next round.

In combination with PayPal, for buyers, specially International, it is mainly a very good system, fast (both buying and paying) and without expenses. Through the later years we had never been able to get to parts we need (or desire) for our projects without being offered them through such pages.

And a lot of sellers have been able to sell all through the year from home without running around at so many swap meets. That costs money and time too. The present total turnover must have been raised to a very much higher level, and as a side effect reduced the size/numbers of swap meets accordingly.

I still will be looking for parts etc. in G&D, at swap meets, and asking my good friends all around the world, but adding the eBay as one good source to get my old cars running.

:vcca:

Good point Solan, also it is one of our American rights to free speech to criticize and speak for or against almost anything. If you notice Americans probably utilize our freedom of speech more often than our other rights.

If you don't like eBay don't look, don't buy and don't sell there. However, if you feel it is in your best interest, LOOK, BUY and SELL! and use Paypal!

Tony: According the to the announcement we received from eBay here in the USA the payment changes are only supposed to affect the USA site (?). Here is what they said in their announcement in August:

Do these changes affect all eBay sites?
These changes only affect the U.S. eBay site.


With eBay making these payment changes......it would be interesting to see what would have happened if eBay didn't own PayPal. And as far as eBay going bankrupt without the changes...with the billions they make every year....I doubt it. The died-in-the wool eBayers will still continue to use eBay no matter what the requirements are.

There has been a lot of discussion on this topic in the eBay Cafe chat site and it is surprising the number of sellers that are opposed to this new PayPal rule and how many are threatening to leave eBay because of it. Many sellers are still upset that sellers can no longer give buyers negative feedback if they are deadbeats. This should be interesting!

I haven't used E-bay much lately, buying or selling. This new rule means I will totally stop using e-bay for anything.

When does this new rule take affect? I have checked, as recently as yesterday, and see where sellers are still accepting money orders and checks.

With reference to many opinions in this thread may be we have misunderstood the future payment system here? It is only checks and money orders that will be banned from the system. That leaves most people with a satisfying way of paying and gives security both to sellers and to buyers. F.ex. when paying by credit card and a non-delivery from seller, the buyer will get a refund from the card company.

If you don't have PayPal, or credit cards, (or you don't want to use either method), and the seller doesn't accept personal checks (and a lot don't), then the only feasible form of payment is by money order or cashier's check. Again.......in the USA all legal forms of USA currency should be acceptable, and it should be up to the buyer and seller what methods of payment can be used......not eBay dictating what form of payment the seller has to accept, especially when eBay is pushing PayPal so hard because they own the company.

:) :grin:

May I add what everyone knows, eBay is pushing PayPal because THEY get funds/fees/payments/cash faster.

One of the worlds oldest sayings, If you wanna know who makes the rules or why rules change, follow da-money.

As I see it, It's MY money and I'll decide where to spend it.

More than one business/corporation has found out the hard way, they can make the rules, but the people {customers} have the power. Power always trumps rules.

enjoy the ride,
Michael41