Australia Tells eBay – Rethink Your PayPal-Only Plan

Extremely interesting…

Australia Says No to eBay’s PayPal-Only Policy

“The Australian government told eBay it could not implement its PayPal-only policy in Australia next week and would make a final determination on the matter. It issued a 42-page draft notice today that said consumers are in the best position to determine which service offers the best features. The agency waded through submissions by eBay buyers and sellers, online payment providers, financial industry organizations and other interested parties.”

Ooops! In another article on the same topic, Ina quotes the chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel, saying something that strikes me regarding consumers and their best interests. eBay really tried to give the impression that the consumers’ interests were at the heart of their changes. Well, Mr. Samuel says;

“While the organization (the ACCC) believes a PayPal-only policy has the potential to deliver some benefits to users, such as increased buyer protection insurance in certain circumstances, it believes that ‘consumers are in the best position to decide which payment method is most suitable for them.’”

I.E. eBay ought to leave the consumers’ best interests to what the consumer wants, not what eBay wants, or – Do you think eBay might have had a self-centered motive? :)