Monetary aid to the Philippines

[tintinthegingertomcat]

After watching a DEC request on tv last night, I am of the opinion that whilst it is wonderful that countries, such as the UK come to the aid of a country that is suffering catastrophic disaster such as the Philippines....I am also of the opinion that not only countries per se donate monetary aid, but also the COMPANIES who employ people in that country - EBAY being one of them. Any other companies who employ Philippine people in their call centres and factories, whatever country they are, should also donate a percentage instead of relying 100% on countries donating.  I notice that Ebay have not made any reference to this disaster despite the fact that they employ in the Philippines.

[bravergrace]

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@tintinthegingertomcat wrote:

  I notice that Ebay have not made any reference to this disaster despite the fact that they employ in the Philippines.

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Actually, I got an e-mail from eBay this morning about it:

Support typhoon relief in the Philippines through eBay Giving Works

Posted: 12 Nov 2013 12:03 PM PST

In response to the Typhoon Haiyan tragedy, eBay Giving Works has set up a page enabling you to support nonprofits providing aid to the affected area and families. Whether you buy, sell, or donate, know that 100% of donations received will be sent to your chosen nonprofit in support of the relief effort.

Visit the Typhoon Haiyan Relief and Recovery page for a full list of participating organizations, and know that large or small, every bit of aid helps.

I've also seen the appeal mentioned on numerous eBay pages, including checkout pages.

(I'm not sure if it was the UK pages or the USA site, though.)

But through the charity scheme, eBay are funding donations, as you can see.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

I have received no such email - but that is not unusual for private sellers. Good to know they are doing something about but perhaps it should be more visible to one and all.

[bravergrace]

Just checked my e-mail - it' s because I'm subscribed to announcements.

There is a corresponding announcement on the UK site, dated yesterday, as well.

http://www2.ebay.com/aw/uk/201311121437462.html

[choughed1]

Oh yes very good of them to set up a page so that WE can donate but I might consider it when Ebay tell us that they themselves are donating .

[tintinthegingertomcat]

I see the announcement but what I actually meant was NOT for the Ebay users to be donating but EBAY as a COMPANY, as an EMPLOYEE of Philippinos to be donating.  If I want to donate I will do so. Seems that Ebay will only be acting as the middle man. How much is Ebay itself, out of its own coffers going to be giving?? That is what I was asking

[benedict1066]

But do individuals or companies generally announce publicly what aid they are giving to a particular cause?  Quite often the most generous donations are not publicized........

[thewaywewere61]

Sadly having lived as long as I have I have seen many many disasters and I don't need eBay to provide a facility or tell me how to donate for any cause. I am very capable of doing that on my own.

I do think its great they have set up a page for donations but with my general mood about eBay at the moment not being the highest its ever been, I'm with the OP. I'd love to see what eBay are doing as a company

Fair enough if they want to keep it quiet, thats their choice.

[bluemakala]

I agree with Benedict on this.

And if eBay is helping financially with the Phillipines disaster, and if they publicise how much they are donating, I can imagine even that would cause outrage from some eBay critics who would complain that if eBay can afford to give thousands to charity, why can't they lower Seller fees. (That's not my view, by the way.)

[0125arwen]

Maybe ebay could/should offer to match all donations made to this specific cause on ebay / paypal.

[bravergrace]

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@tintinthegingertomcat wrote:

I see the announcement but what I actually meant was NOT for the Ebay users to be donating but EBAY as a COMPANY, as an EMPLOYEE of Philippinos to be donating.  If I want to donate I will do so. Seems that Ebay will only be acting as the middle man. How much is Ebay itself, out of its own coffers going to be giving?? That is what I was asking

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As with all eBay charity schemes, there are no charges made - no listing fees, no final value fees.

So eBay are "donating" their fees to the charity - or if you prefer, they are donating their ad space and processing system, for which they normally make a charge.

Same as you or I might give a jumper, a car, or a cake for a charity raffle.  We are donating the item - the "cost" or "value" of that item could be variously described as its retail price (the price we'd have sold it for), the price it cost us to buy it or make it, or zero (if it's been at the back of our cupboard ever since Aunt Ethel made it for us).

[thewaywewere61]

When I give a jumper/unwanted present etc etc to charity I do it to help that charity.

I am not an employer of people directly/indirectly affected by a large scale disaster..... if i was and I had a shop and offered some space in that shop for other people to pile up their donation...wouldn't be enough would it..

Not saying they haven't/aren't doing more just giving both sides...

And  afew months ago I wouldn't have made any comment at all but such is my growing ill feeling about some some respects of eBays "Business model" that I'd like to hear something that may go someway to redeeming them in my eyes.

[tintinthegingertomcat]

The fact of the matter is that Ebay (and other companies) employ Philippines and it is from THEIR funds that aid should come, not relying on buyers/sellers.

I believe that earlier in the year when the factory fire happened somewhere in India, Primark, who used that factory, made a donation.

I am not saying I want to know the precise amount given, but as a bit of a PR exercise in light of their bad press at the moment, it would be nice to know that they do, somewhere, have a heart LOL.

I will give what I want when I want and to whom I want.

If I were an employer then I would feel some compulsion to give...but that is just me who does think of others.

[puddlegumtwo]

What other people/businesses give to charity is entirely up to them. I don't need to know that they do, or how much. And nor do I think it should be done as some PR excercise.

[r1j2e3s4j5]

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@tintinthegingertomcat wrote:

After watching a DEC request on tv last night, I am of the opinion that whilst it is wonderful that countries, such as the UK come to the aid of a country that is suffering catastrophic disaster such as the Philippines....I am also of the opinion that not only countries per se donate monetary aid, but also the COMPANIES who employ people in that country - EBAY being one of them. Any other companies who employ Philippine people in their call centres and factories, whatever country they are, should also donate a percentage instead of relying 100% on countries donating.  I notice that Ebay have not made any reference to this disaster despite the fact that they employ in the Philippines.

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You havent a clue what you are talking about.

[r1j2e3s4j5]

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@tintinthegingertomcat wrote:

I see the announcement but what I actually meant was NOT for the Ebay users to be donating but EBAY as a COMPANY, as an EMPLOYEE of Philippinos to be donating.  If I want to donate I will do so. Seems that Ebay will only be acting as the middle man. How much is Ebay itself, out of its own coffers going to be giving?? That is what I was asking

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No, you didnt ask "How much have Ebay donated."

You claimed that they have done absolutely nothing.

You have no idea whatsoever what any of companies who employ Philippino staff are donating............so why make guesses just to have a dig? 

Your opening post is nothing more than an opportunity to make negative comments about Ebay based on nothing.

[thewaywewere61]

OP went onto clarify what he was asking

"What are eBay doing ?" in summary

You seem to be the one making guesses as to OP's intent and having a dig yourself at the OP whilst acusing them  of the same thing.

[generalfuzuki]

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@choughed1 wrote:

 I might consider it when Ebay tell us that they themselves are donating .

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So you say that 4 million plus people in dire need is not enough to swing it for you to contribute, unless you know that the platform which allows you to make a bit of money also contributes?

If your sense of charity is contingent on being led by unrelated example, then that is not a sense of charity is it? Why didnt you just post "I'm not gonna do anything because it's not important enough to me".

What you have posted is exactly the same as if you say to a child "go brush your teeth because it's bedtime" and they respond "no, because you havent". Nothing to do with the price of fish.

Nothing to do with 4 million people in dire need.

[sheena-b]

I hope ebay will contribute to the relief fund.... As well as all the shipping and cruise companies that employ Phillipinos! My experience of the latter suggests that they won't! Most shipping companies treat them appallingly and pay them peanuts! Ebay has a much better record in this respect but unlike Primark who were directly involved, Manilla wasn't affected so badly and that's where their call centre is. It is an awful tragedy on a scale of the Xmas Tsunami...

[malacandran]

The Phillipines are in the Pacific.. This ocean is in the Eastern Hemisphere,  which contains  two very rich and powerful countries:

Japan and China.

Are these countries doing anything to help? Or standing by, smiling inscrutably.