Reducing unpaid items
Placing a bid
Additionally, buyers on select auctions will be required to set up a preferred payment method and postal address before they can place a bid. After winning an auction, they’ll have one hour to adjust their order or payment details, otherwise we’ll automatically process their order using their preferred payment method. No action is required from the seller.
These changes will help to improve the auction process on eBay by providing buyers with the ability to decide how they want to pay, whilst also ensuring that sellers receive payment for their sales. The goal is to foster a more efficient and dependable experience for the entire eBay community.
From FAQs:
No changes are needed with how you set up your listings. You should expect to see fewer unpaid items on items sold through auctions as we test and launch changes.
You can still combine multiple purchases from the same buyer in a single shipment, but please be aware that a buyer may be automatically charged for postage costs for each individual item when payments are processed.
As a buyer, you may be prompted to provide a payment method and select a postal address prior to placing a bid on an auction. You'll have the ability to edit these details before the auction ends. If you win the auction, you'll be given a one hour period to make any changes. If no changes are made, we’ll automatically charge your default payment method.
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There is no opt out mentioned for this 'feature'; without one it will be the end of auctions on eBay for me. A few things immediately spring to mind. I don't have problems with non-payers but I do have regular, long-standing buyers of 8 years or more who bid on items spanning across 10 days or even longer. Combining multiple wins into one order is a necessity; especially with lower value items.
Many of my buyers are international and on a completely different time zone - what they win can determine how and where they want it sent (forwarding agents, etc.) How do they respond in an hour if an auction is finishing at 3 am for them, or if they are at work, travelling, etc.
I had thought eBay had learnt their lesson from the debacle of immediate payments on Buy it Now listings. My acceptance level from offers sent is now virtually nil. What I do foresee is an increase in 'remorse' returns for business sellers running auctions in some sectors. Sure we will see a lot less non-payers ..... this will be in conjunction with a lot less sales.
One final question for eBay - where is this supposed feedback you received stating sellers want this ........ nobody has asked me. Has anyone on these boards been asked? Please publish this data along with the agency you commissioned to carry out the research.
