posted on December 8, 2006 03:47:26 PM new
So I go on today to set a pre-approved bidder and I read this...
Pre-Approve Bidders
Attention: Beginning in January 2007 access to this feature will be restricted. Prior to the restriction time you will be able to use the feature, but once the restriction takes place you will not be able to add or remove any buyers from the pre-approved bidder list for the item. For other buyer management tools go here.
posted on December 9, 2006 12:08:49 PM new
Looks like another eBay/PayPal thing to force us into accepting bids and payments from very risky, unconfirmed buyers.
posted on December 9, 2006 07:14:36 PM new
ST0NEC0LD613 wrote: Looks like another eBay/PayPal thing to force us into accepting bids and payments from very risky, unconfirmed buyers.
Just as any ex-Soviet Bloc or Nigerian fraudster can currently use a hijacked account to 'phish' for email addresses that are then used for Second Chance or off-eBay offers... but only Western Union money transfer is accepted. Act now - limited time offer.
eBay could have fixed the system by hiding email addresses of pre-approved bidders, much as they now do for Best Offers, but allowing sellers to check bidder's feedback. However they probably deemed it easier to just throw the baby out with the bathwater.
In future when I have a previous buyer wanting a personalized deal (private BIN offer) on eBay, I'll follow what I have to do on other auction sites that don't allow you to exclude other bidders. I'll make a listing for a "gift token" redeemable for the items in question (often at 1/10th to 1/100th the value of the actual transaction to save on auction fees). Or simply suggest that since we have dealt with each other before - why not deal direct for a 5% discount or FREE international shipping.
