Paperless Payments at eBay Protecting Buyers from Fraud
Improved Checkout
Sellers will no longer be able to offer money orders or checks as a form of payment after October, 2008.
eBay is going “Paperless” which means PayPal will be the leader in payment options. Another company will be in available for those not wanting to use PayPal. A company called: ProPay.
Sellers with merchant accounts may continue to use their accounts and local pick-up is up to the seller if they would like to accept a check or MO at time of pick-up. If the payment is made through eBay, it must be an approved electronic payment method that is integrated through the eBay system.
eBay is simply trying to provide a consistent and secure system for buyers by providing an easy to use check-out procedure. Paying for items on eBay is safe, fast and secure. When buyers leave the eBay platform to pay for items, they are more vulnerable to fraud.
When I purchase an item on eBay, I never wait for the seller to send me an invoice. I instantly pay for my item through PayPal. I purchase the item and then pay for the item. It is a fast and reliable system to do business this way. Next step is only to wait for my item to arrive and give the seller a five star rating!
When I am teaching eBay, I especially talk about the importance of a simplified selling system. With eBay going paperless, the selling and buying system will be the simplest for both.
Bottom line:
- Improved checkout.
- Fewer Unpaid Items.
- Greater protection against online fraud.
NOTE to Sellers: I suggest you start removing the check/money order options from your listings now.
NOTE to Buyers: I suggest you join PayPal ASAP. PayPal is free to join and is used worldwide.
11 Comments
lilsis1963 says:
What about us buyers who DO pay our sellers with m.o. as payment I have over 700 transactions with very happy sellers. We are being shafted.
Danna Crawford says:
Hello lilsis1963,
PayPal is safe and secure. Plus their customer service is the best I've seen on the net. Well, GoDaddy.com has some pretty awesome customer service too, but PayPal is right up there! :-)
Seriously, the only thing I pay off-line is my water bill. They are still behind with the times in my area.
You can learn more about PayPal by visiting their blog: https://www.thepaypalblog.com.
Ken Eicher says:
Hi Danna,
I can't understand why some buyers want to pay a fee to buy a money order when they can use Paypal , or Propay, and let the seller pay the fee. In addition to Paypal "simplifying [the] selling system" it also simplifies the buying system.
In my classes I always also point out that when the buyer uses Paypal they have protections they don't have when sending a check or money order.
Ken
joyceb_danse says:
I've been on eBay for over 10 years and used electronic payment from the beginning. In 1998 I had a merchant account and was a power seller and it was because of the merchant account I had so much success. I signed up for PayPal before eBay acquired it and have used it since (plus my merchant account). My customers felt more secure using credit cards to make payment when they knew they were protected by the credit card company (my inventory sold for over $200 @).
PayPal, Merchant Accounts and ProPay are all safer methods for all buyers and more efficient for Sellers.
This move to a more secure and protected marketplace by eBay is going to make shopping and selling on eBay a better experience. I suggest you visit the eBay Announcements board for more clarification on new policies by eBay team and staff.
http://workshops.ebay.com/forum.jspa?forumID=14000000003&anticache=1219243324219
Electronic payment online is more professional and safer for retail transactions.
Thank you for the article, Danna, good job
Joyceb/danse
Danna Crawford says:
Thanks Ken! Great point to stress to your students. Thanks for sharing! Danna
Danna Crawford says:
Thanks Joyce!
Also I wanted to share a Great YouTube video as PayPal celebrates their 10 Year Anniversary! Check it out at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuQ0dxXouJI
Enjoy! Danna
ktree4u says:
I read this today and was a bit nervous. Although I do love paypal, I have some very loyal and great customers that pay me through check and or money order. I am an online freak and pay all my bills online and so forth, but I am a bit concerned I will loose customers, especially some elderly ones that I work with that are not at all interested in paypal. I am sure I will adjust just fine but wish I could offer more to my customers that may need to pay another way.
So far I have had 100% success with money orders and checks. No problems. I am sure there are some out there that do give problems however. It is challenging.
Any suggestions on those great customers that don't want a paypal account?? Is there any way around it??
By the way Danna, you are great and I saw you at eBay live. Congrats on all you do. I am trying to figure out a lot :).
Debbie Welch www.knowledgetreestore.com
STORE4ANGELS says:
So we can not take money orders or cashier checks after October where did I miss that from, so we have to correct all our listings?
Danna Crawford says:
Hi Debbie, Thanks for the kind words. The best thing to do is to start educating the buyers about the benefits of PayPal. I know my grandma still thinks she can write a check for gas! lol
Hello Angel! It is best to start now to revise your listings. Remove all check/mo options especially if you have it worded in the description. I don't suggest having that verbiage posted anywhere.
Happy selling, Danna
sea_urchin says:
Hi Danna,
I am very upset about the new policy. I always say I prefer PayPal because it's easy and secure, but I have customers who like to use checks, for whatever reason. It's been my "customer friendly" policy, though, to accept checks or money orders if that's what the buyer prefers. I safeguard myself by putting a hold on shipment until I confirm that payment has cleared.
I have tried to think how having sellers decide what form of payment they will accept should matter to Ebay. I hate to give in to my cynical side and conclude that it is all about garnering a larger share of my profits, but it's hard to conclude anything else.
In the past, I have encouraged people to sign up for PayPal accounts if they didn't have one, but there are people who do not trust giving their financial information online. I'm sure there are many who will simply stop buying on Ebay. I am perfectly willing to sell directly to anyone who wants to use checks or money orders, but will unfortunately have to find another portal to give them that opportunity.
Who can we lobby to change this policy?
sea_urchin
Dennis says:
The safety only goes as far as their payment provider.
