Aussies flock off to Ebay rivals over Paypal bias

14 Apr 2008 | 10:58 BST

By Sylvie Barak

EBAY IS ABOUT TO find out that its Australian customers are no suckers, with thousands of them switching to rival Aussie auction site www.oztion.com.au, after Ebay said it would force them to use Paypal for all transactions as of June.

An online petition has been set up and is gaining momentum by the hour, with outraged Aussies pouring out their rage in a forum that Ebay’s administrators have had to hide from view in the discussion area.

People can still access the petition, but only via the direct link.

Another Ebay user tried to auction off his anti Paypal/Ebay opinions, but, sadly, a link to the page notes that the item has been removed (obviously Ebay won’t allow people a penny for their thoughts).

Last week, Ebay Australia announced its plans to scrap alternative payment methods as of June, forcing users to pay for their goods via the online commerce website Paypal, which Ebay just happens to own.

Australians were more hopping mad than rabid 'roos at the decision, which Ebay shrugs off as a security measure, but which users see as a nefarious effort by the company to take an even bigger cut from user sales, to fill its overflowing coffers (Paypal takes 1.1 to 2.4 per cent on every sale). Many Aussies have now lodged complaints with Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission, and are boycotting the site in favour of its Australian rival.

Tina, who uses the monicker “southwold55”, signed the online petition against being forced to use Ebay's private bank, saying that “Big sellers wont be affected by this so much but the little sellers who wants to make a bit of extra money selling unwanted items will now have to pay Ebay fees and Paypal fees” and adds “Ebay isn't content with alienating its customers and providing poor customer service, it now wants to take away its customers choices while improving its own profits”.

Another petition signer, “sitatajsitataj” writes “I am the secretary of a very large group of buyers who are addicted to Ebay....or should I say WAS...our buying last year was in excess of $250,000 and liked the option of choice for payment. With no longer being given the chance to choose we will NOT BE COMING BACK”.

Not all users are averse to using Paypal, but even those who usually do so, feel that Ebay is wrong for forcing the system on others. User “dhill237” writes, “I personally like Paypal, but it is WRONG to make it the only payment option offered”.

Ebay better just hope that the extra cash it'll be taking from its customers will be enough to cover the losses from those who have had enough of being treated like cash marsupials, rather than valued customers. µ

L’Inqs
Petition

Australia's Competition and Consumer Commission

Oztion

See Also
Ebay forces Aussie buyers to use PayPal

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