Dawn of the eBay Deadbeats: Stories the eBay brass prayed you would never hear

[Anita]

I hope the seller gets lots of sales.  tee hee

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000228301&tstart=0&mod=1140574389347

[Kristijntje]

United Press International did an article/review on the book yesterday that was picked up by dozens of newspapers:

According to Klink, while eBay has what could be considered --"the ultimate business model" -- of collecting fees and delegating the marketing, selling, packaging, shipping, and customer service to eBay users, it's very easy for these same users to fall victim to fraud.

"I think consumers let their guard down when they are sitting at home and surfing the Web with their coffee," he said. "If a stranger offered them a $1,400 antique vase on the street they'd most likely walk away, but when that same vase is on the Internet for some reason the reaction is more, 'Say, now that looks interesting.'"

And have the brothers seen any improvements in eBay's handling of the fraud issue?

"eBay says it is a tiny fraction of all auctions," Klink said, "but the hundreds of people who told us their stories hate being in that tiny group and never thought they would be. Lots of fraud is underreported, too. EBay encourages users to settle it among themselves, and if they can't, then they are directed to pay $20.00 to have SquareTrade, a third party, mediate the dispute. But it's not often a scammer shows up for mediation!"

full article: http://www.upi.com/Hi-Tech/view.php?Stor...4637-6551r

EDIT: I merged the 2 topics on this book by mandy and landofsmiles

[Anita]

Thanks Kristijnte  I'll have to update my post on the Stores Board. 

http://forums.ebay.com/db2/thread.jspa?threadID=1000228301&tstart=0&mod=1141415556209

[amy]

they are directed to pay $20.00 to have SquareTrade, a third party, mediate the dispute. But it's not often a scammer shows up for mediation!"

SquareTrade shows up for mediation to collect their $20.  Their service is a scam isn't it?