posted on October 31, 2001 12:41:12 PM new
Okay, I'm reading all these threads about Checkout, and I see it on eBay's site, but with very inconsistent usage (sometimes there is information there, sometimes there is not), and a rather long string of pages about the process. I consider myself pretty sufficiently astute, but I just don't seem to understand all I need to about Checkout, so let me just ask a few questions, before I exit AW.
1) Does this (completely/partially/not at all) get rid of EOA emails (from eBay and between the seller and buyer).
2) Is it required?
3) Does it require buyers to use online payments rather than writing checks or M.O.'s? (I keep seeing posts claiming this being eBay's way of pushing Billpoint.)
4) Who on eBay's end handles Checkout information? eBay itself, or a third party? (I ask because it is my understanding that preference information and some related emails are managed by a direct marketing company -- gack! )
5) Is it reliable (i.e. do both seller and buyer get the information they need in a timely and consistent manner)?
6) Why do some pages have no Checkout information at all?
7) Any cases where buyers may suffer through "gotchas" (eBay's or sellers' ) unique to Checkout?
TIA.
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What's being done in the name of direct marketing nowadays is crazy.
The above are all just my opinions, except where I cite facts as such.
Oh, I am not dc9a320 anywhere except AW. Any others are not me.
Is eBay is changing from a world bazaar into a bizarre world?
posted on October 31, 2001 12:54:37 PM new
I'll answer as best as I can. Others will correct me, I'm sure.
1. No. Just had my first Checkout auction close (thought I didn't include any information for Checkout). I got the regular EOA *and* the Checkout notice.
2. Yes and no. Yes, it will appear on all auctions from here on out. No in that no one is required to use it -- but it will still show up. And the buyer will think (wrongly) that Checkout is the proper vehicle to communicate with the buyer.
3. I don't believe so and it is not restricted to Billpoint either. Correct me if I'm wrong here. I don't take Billpoint anymore (their fees are worse than PayPal).
4. ebay, it appears.
5. I was shocked this morning. Usually ebay is way slow in sending out the EOAs. These were in my box very quickly. But we'll see how that sustains.
6. My guess is that they were posted before this took effect.
7. Yes. If you don't opt out of providing CHeckout info, then shipping can show as $0.00 leading the buyer to think shipping is free (have been some reports of such on here already). However, if you opt out of providing this info, then it will show as "---" and inform the buyer/bidder that the seller will provide this after the auction (even if it is already posted IN the auction body itself).
posted on October 31, 2001 04:29:13 PM new
Hi,
As someone who has had a auction close and the buyer use Checkout allow me:
1). I get the usual EOA from ebay and a "request total for item" email if the buyer clicks the Checkout button. the "request" email has the buyers address in it, which is nice.
Since I am not using checkout I just send my usual EOA email.
2). It is not required but it is always there; the buyer can always use it if he or she wants to.
3). I do not accept online payments, so no, it is not required. (yet).
4). I have no clue (neither does ebay apparently but that's a whole 'nother thread)
5). Seems to be reliable so far
6). My auctions are pretty much 100% relists. Some of my relists have checkout, some don't, I'm sure all will eventually. ( All my BIN items have checkout)
7). None so far for me, but it is early yet.
So far Checkout has had little effect on my auctions, but you never know about the next "helpful" new "feature".
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Don't take life so serious, it ain't nohow permanent.
