Ebay's green and bleeding heart wants to do the world of good
EBAY RECKONS IT can do the world of good, as well as increase its already huge profits, with the launch of a new website today, aimed at selling stuff to the socially and environmentally conscious.
The aptly named WorldofGood.com website was developed with a startup of the same name and boasts an emphasis on "ethical supply chains". For its 'ethical' contribution to Ebay's socially conscious image, the startup can now expect a nice share of the revenues from the site.
However, veering away from Ebay's auction model, WorldofGood.com will apparently be flogging stuff at fixed prices, because we all know there’s no room to bargain when it comes to conscience. Conscience sells.
Cashing in on the already massive and ever growing goody two shoes market for 'environmentally aware and social products' – worth an estimated $206 billion annually in the US alone - Ebay can afford to go all sentimental on this one.
The auction firm says punters will now be able to search for products by social and/or environmental category and every product will now come with details of its origin, specify whether some of the proceeds go towards charitable causes and maybe even come complete with a photo of the producer him or herself.
Third party organisations like Rainforest Alliance will also purportedly be screening sellers and verifying products listed on the site to ensure that all remains fair in fair trade and web.
"The goal is to help consumers align their social values with their shopping decisions," gushed WorldofGood general manager Robert Chatwani, adding " Regardless of the social causes most important to consumers, they can easily shop for items according to a variety of different attributes, allowing them to customise their shopping impact."
However, despite waxing all environmentally and socially friendly, when the the INQ asked Ebay what it's carbon footprint actually was, the public relations team couldn't seem to come up with anything for us. We did think we heard the PR muttering "Size 12?" under her breath on the phone though.
Adding her two cents worth, Lorrie Norrington, president of eBay Marketplaces chipped in that WorldofGood.com gave "shoppers who care about making a difference access to great products that help people and the planet," adding cheesily, "Socially responsible shopping just got bigger and better."
To ensure maximum impact, about 20,000 WorldofGood.com products will be putting in an appearance on Ebay as well, taking advantage of the firm's 84.5 million active users.
Just like on regular, unsocially friendly Ebay, WorldofGood.com sellers, no matter how righteous they may be, will still have to cough up if they want to list items on the site, as well as pay Ebay commission on all sales.
Also, the socially conscious and ever fair Ebay is also ensuring it maximises its profits on the goods, by also stipulating that all transactions for WorldofGood.com be made through Ebay's very own PayPal. Charity obviously starts at home. µ
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Too little too late for FEEbay. Their corporate greed has gotten in the way for to long, its alienated those of us who actually made them. (Who they forgot about).

I myself use www.alsoshop.com - And other auction alternatives, and have never looked back at the fee beast!
Interesting. I sell a legitimate software product. 

I used to be able to deliver my goods via digital delivery, which saved paper, packing materials and fuel, a plus for the planet. Now I have to send CDs in jewel cases, even further tapping the earth's natural resources.

For whatever reason, digital delivery was banned a few months ago, and along with that went almost all of my international business (roughly 40% of overall sales) who now have to cough up a substantial amount of cash to pay for international shipping, which is more than the product costs.

Does it makes sense to ban something which helped the planet, and then several months later to launch an endeavour such as this?

It's all about PROFITS and has absolutely nothing to do with saving the planet.
It's No Victoria's Secret
That Carbon Poot Print Lingerie Knickers - Size 22 - available in ePay Pale. That's pants for WOG across the pond. Golly, there blows a goodgeon to bait with goodhint and trustknowledgy!
Get Treehuger Hippie in Your Hood!
the ava fit, the hate fit, the warisa fit, the crustie fit, the bridgit fit, the broke fit, get a leg up on fall still in the most fabulous pants of the season if you cotton too, and it swivels and bops, and it bounces and hops, and it clicks and pops - A World of Goodie, that was.
Save some more at oBay!
Carly Florina was on TV & little Peeved about Wikipedia info that OLama Drashek, Et Al Post, Silly True info. 
Next Founder of EBAY speaks. Personal Story of Victory, yet What is purpose of Selling Unwanted,Broken Equipment? One Oddity, GM is prime investor, whose failing this year have been staggering.

Hi-I Started MYState as realized what extreme crock My Postmaster is. Children Under 5 Fly For FREE.

AHHHAHAHHHUH, ARE YOU MY MOM?gurgle, grind,snap.
Association of VERY Independent Businesses Methodox.
drashek
From: Hospitol #1, rbay body parts sec.
How many more of these corporate scams do we have to put up with. If Ebay wants to help why not wave the fee for these people or better yet why not try to support local artisans. You know why.... because businesses like ebay just want a buck and it is easier to rip off American and European consumers with products made in the developing world. Ebay can take a big chunk and it isn't like they will complain. 

So why not cut down the rain forest to make a necklace. Ebay will get rich and the rest of us will have to deal with the consequences.
This is the most ridiculous case of a wolf in sheep's clothes I have seen recently. Ebay is graciously willing to charge those already in poverty to list items, take a final value cut, and make more money on the PayPal side (not to mention the currency conversion fee many of these artists will be stuck with).

I am baffled by this display of corperate greed sloppily hidden under the buzz words of the day: Green, Social Responsibility, Ethical. Ebay's one and only goal in this venture is to make a profit, and they could care less who they exploit to do so.

Dan
I used a PayPal button on the expansys site to buy goods quoted in HK dollars
PayPay charged me $30 USA for the transfer.

When I later canceled the order I was still out of pocket

I HATE having to deal with them and will now avoid them all all costs!