Sensis sinks slipper into eBay after ACCC notice

Stan Beer
Friday, 13 June 2008 13:02

Business IT - Technology

"The Trading Post is urging the large numbers of Australian buyers and sellers outraged by the recent actions of eBay to vote with their feet and support the growing number of local businesses providing competition and choice in the online marketplace," the release states.

"We believe eBay is blatantly disregarding the needs of Australian buyers and sellers through its attempt to force sellers to use its own payment service PayPal," said General Manager, Sensis Classifieds, Stephen Hughes.

"The ACCC has recognised this and by stepping in with its draft notice, is actually trying to do more to protect the interests of buyers and sellers in the market. Australians should be questioning whether eBay is really looking after their best interests."

Mr Hughes said Trading Post fully supported the ACCC's view that consumers are in the best position to decide which payment method is most suitable for them. "That is why Trading Post, with our new online auction capability, gives Australians a choice of payment options they can use when selling online," he said.

Mr Hughes added that by issuing its draft notice, the ACCC had effectively stated that any additional buyer protection to be gained by eBay customers from a PayPal-only policy was negligible and outweighed by its anti-competitive nature. He said this echoed eBay's reluctance to introduce such a change in the United States.

"Australian buyers and sellers now have strong local alternatives to eBay, such as the Trading Post, that listen to their needs and provide very competitive online services. It's not surprising we're seeing people exercise their choice," Mr Hughes said.

Trading Post launched its new www.tradingpost.com.au website with auctions on 26 May 2008.