Comments on: eBay responds to ACCC re PayPal only policy

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:33:53 +0000

The reason i see that ebay is doing this as they own paypal is they want world domination on the world online auction system so they can push their share prices higher,get richer quicker.getting rid of peoples freedom of choice is just a sleazy backdoor way to get rid of any competition so they can have their cake and eat it as well the real truth as we all know is greed inspired.

By: bonni

bonni — Fri, 30 May 2008 09:59:25 +0000

As I understand it, in order for the ACCC to allow this, there has to be extremely convincing public benefit to be obtained from it. I don’t think eBay have made that case. Their entire argument with regard to the public seems to be “Consumers are stupid and don’t know what’s good for them, so we have to decide for them”.

There are also good arguments that the competing sites, while growing, are only a teeny tiny slice of the Australian online market, and eBay’s “Well, bugger off if you don’t like it!” argument doesn’t hold a lot of water, especially when compared to a number of other highly professional, legally-based arguments submitted to the ACCC against allowing this.

Also, if I understand the situation correctly, eBay is actually arguing to be granted an exemption from Australian law. I don’t believe they’re necessarily arguing that they are not in violation of it, but rather that they should be given special permission to flout it. (Possibly I have that wrong; I’m not an expert in Australian commerce law.) If this is the case, then I’d say for certain they haven’t made their case.

By: Henrietta

Henrietta — Tue, 27 May 2008 20:46:31 +0000

I agree with Kevin, given the extraordinary response to ACCC request for submissions, all negative I think it will be denied. The final submission just posted blows them out of the water.

So far as gaining market share this will be nominal, just like eBay’s user numbers. Sellers are being forced to sign up but they will not use it.

Look for lawyers with raw bleeding scalps on the streets of Sydney. They all pulled their hair out in clumps trying to make pretty silk purses out of eBay’s sows ear.

By: Kevin_T

Kevin_T — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:44:02 +0000

Randy Smythe,
On what do you base your belief that the ACCC will approve this conduct?

From this side of the Pacific, I don’t think it will be approved, but I think that PayPal will have picked up a much greater market share while the decision is made.

Kind Regards, Kevin in Australia

By: LS

LS — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:16:10 +0000

Wow, what an amazing load of crap. I wonder if anyone at eBay really believes that or whether they were struggling to keep a straight face the whole time.

By: srcatener

srcatener — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:59:37 +0000

Give Us ALL a break ebay!!!

You say that Ebay with “Paypal Only” would not be a monopoly because other sites don’t have monopolies??? That makes NO SENSE whatsoever!!!

DOWN with Ebay’s DICTATORSHIP!!!

MANY are BOYCOTTING EBAY with their GLOBAL FRIENDS!!!

By: Biggles

Biggles — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:14:11 +0000

I love this bit…

“PayPal will not become a monopoly for eBay payments”

Yep. You cant become what you are already. 10/10 for double speak.

By: Sue Bailey

Sue Bailey — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:04:27 +0000

You sure can, Randy: after all, eBay did!

By: Randy Smythe

Randy Smythe — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:40:26 +0000

I think the ACCC will allow this change to happen and approval will increase the odds that PayPal will be compulsory on all eBay marketplaces.

I love this quote: â€œeBay buyers and sellers who do not wish to pay PayPal fees are able to avoid doing so by listing and purchasing items through competing servicesâ€. or basically “bugger off” (can I say that?)