Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Tuesday, 17 June 2008 19:16
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 4
eBay’s mailout to buyers and sellers continues on from page 1:
“There are a small number of categories where PayPal is not mandatory. There are also some categories that do not qualify for PayPal Buyer and Seller Protection. Learn more about these excluded categories.
“As mentioned PayPal Buyer Protection will still increase to $20,000 on 17 June 2008.
“To ensure you benefit from PayPal's Buyer Protection Policy, eBay strongly recommends you use PayPal when paying for your purchases on eBay.com.au.
“From 15 July 2008 the available payment methods will be limited to PayPal, Visa/MasterCard, or pay on pick up.
”The decision to delay these changes was made by eBay following the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) draft notice issued on Thursday 12 June 2008.
“eBay released a media statement on Friday 13 June regarding the ACCC's draft notice.
“Read eBay's statement and community announcement.
“Please note that some of our onsite communications will still refer to changes taking place on 17 June 2008. These communications are being updated and should reflect the new date of 15 July 2008 within the coming days.
“Regards
“The eBay Team”.
Wow! To me, it looks like eBay is screaming out to the ACCC “bring it on”. Why does eBay think it can so blatantly flout the Australian Trade Practices Act? It defies logic.
Analyst firm
Ovum has also published an article incredulous at eBay’s policies. Steve Hodgkinson, from Ovum, had the following to say in an article entitled “Australia: a tale of eBay, PayPal and third-line forcing”.
Please read on to page 3.
