eBay

lifeofbryan73 · ‎01-14-2023

Auto Pay linked to Best Offers is a terrible idea, and the fact that eBay didn't communicate the change is worse for Buyers and Sellers.

It makes combined shipping more complicated for the seller. If a BUYER wants to buy more than one item of mine, their knowing that combined shipping will be a matter they'll have to bring up with the seller because of the new Auto Pay, they might not bother with buying more from my store. Lost revenue. I recently had to go back-and-forth with a seller on figuring out how to deal with this. They didn't have much experience on issuing refunds, which is fine. We worked it out, but it took time. Some Buyers might not be as patient. And some sellers might not issue refunds on the extra shipping.

This Auto-Pay feature is complicating how Buyers submit an offer. It's a terrible idea. I've been on eBay 17 years, and the previous method of submitting offers worked smoothly: the offer is 1. Rejected; 2. Considered then countered; 3. Accepted, then the Seller and Buyer work out payment and payment scheduling.

Auto-Pay Best Offer submissions also FORCE a buyer to IMMEDIATELY pay for an item, even if a seller doesn't require it. I give my buyers five days to pay. Some sellers give 2-3 days. I've found this PAYMENT WINDOW gives a Buyer less of a sense of urgency, so maybe they'll shop more. Auto-Pay overrides that, so a customer who needs that extra time to pay doesn't have it. Auto-Pay Best Offers are violating are own store payment terms.

We could be losing sales. Losing customers. Ebay is intent on complicating their platform. I don't know why, either. If you and I are losing sales, eBay is losing money.

jem388 · ‎08-17-2023

Buyer here.

Just won an auction and waiting for item to appear in cart. Few minutes later I find payment was made through autopay.

I always pay right away or contact seller if I am bidding on another one of their upcoming auctions so I can combine shipping when possible.

Had 80+ items on my watch list. Not anymore. If Ebay decides not to take control from everyone because of a few, I will start buying again.

puppeluv · ‎08-18-2023

100% agree!

It sucks and if you have a gift card to use for payment you can't use it on a winning auction.

At least with BIN you can - BUT you have to move it to shopping cart FIRST!

HORRIBLE IDEA AND IMPLEMENTATION

I've been on ebay since 1997 and this is the worst idea yet.

jfgeneralsales · ‎08-20-2023

I was told by Ebay that this is a feature enabled by the seller. From what you say it is forced by them. It is not just on offers but bids as well. I could probably deal with it if it showed in the ad. It should be right next to the current bid. The whole sale is misleading without this. I need to know before I bid that this is enabled. I need to make a decision whether I want to purchase this way or not.

jfgeneralsales · ‎08-20-2023

Yes. The sellers. The buyer has no idea this is even turned on until they place a bid. It is a waste of my time to have to place a bid first to find out. Buyers should have been told that this was going into effect so we can watch for it. How about a warning for people who don't pay and then limit their accounts. Don't punish averybody.

arrrrpirates · ‎08-20-2023

This option is so awful. I don't think a lot of sellers realize they are going to lose sales over this, since we can no longer put in multiple offers and combine shipping. It's also no always obvious when putting in an offer that this is going to happen.

kh-vince · ‎08-20-2023

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.