posted on February 24, 2003 06:53:17 PM new
Effective Tuesday, February 25 2003, our development team will be disabling the sliding version of the recently-released Preferred Checkout Panel. Sellers who currently use the sliding Checkout panel in their listings will not have to change any of their Checkout settings or listings. Our team will replace the sliding panel with the Preferred Checkout Panel at the top of the item description upon close for current listings. Additionally, all new launched and relisted items will have the sliding Checkout panel removed and replaced by the panel at the top of the listing.
All other AuctionWatch Checkout features will continue to work normally, and sellers can still use the Preferred Checkout panel displayed at the top of the item description. However, sellers who have not selected a checkout option will need to TURN IT ON here:
Be sure to select to display the panel "at the top of the item description" (the middle choice). The controls for the sliding checkout panel will not be removed for a couple of days, but the feature will be deactivated shortly.
Why is the sliding Preferred Checkout Panel going away?
When we created the sliding checkout panel, we did not believe its use violated the eBay user agreement. eBay recently notified us, however, that sellers who used the sliding panel were in violation of the eBay user agreement, and their listings were subject to cancellation. After many conversations with eBay concerning the enhanced efficiency resulting from this innovation, we decided it was in the best interest of our sellers to remove the feature rather than risk a disruption to our sellers' businesses. eBay has committed to exploring with AuctionWatch solutions to the current checkout process issues.
Why was the sliding Preferred Checkout Panel created in the first place?
After eBay integrated PayPal into the checkout process, sellers have been unable to list PayPal as a payment option in their listings, but not use the eBay checkout process. After hearing that a correction to this situation would likely take some time, we created an optional solution that met sellers' requests for a smoother post-sale checkout process.
What can I do to help my buyers use AuctionWatch Checkout?
In communications with buyers, direct them to the AuctionWatch Checkout entry page (http://www.auctionwatch.com/checkout.x). Here, they can proceed to the checkout for their item after verifying their identity and relevant details about the auction.
Sellers with a PayPal Premier or Business Account can set Payment Receiving Preferences on PayPal to "Block Payments from users who initiate payments from the Send Money tab". By setting this preference, any buyers who try to pay directly via PayPal checkout are directed to use the preferred AuctionWatch Checkout instead. Simply put the following URL in the "Alternate Payment URL" box:
Lastly, be sure you've turned off the eBay Checkout option in your eBay preferences.
We apologize for any inconvenience these changes may cause. The AuctionWatch team will continue to innovate and encourage eBay to create a checkout experience that is customizable for all sellers and payment methods.
Happy selling,
The AuctionWatch Team
[ edited by Announcements on Feb 25, 2003 10:15 AM ]
