Checking Out at eBay, Not So Smooth

I dread every time I'm paying for an item and (EBAY) sends me off to any one of a number of approved third-party checkout systems. I would even say that if I knew beforehand that a seller uses an alternative checkout system, I would avoid them altogether. I can only imagine this nuisance can turn to complete frustration for less experienced buyers.

It's not just that each system has its own peculiarities and problems (some require phone numbers, others require re-typing addresses, others try to cross-sell, others add you to a mailing list, others simply look horrible), it's that the EBAY marketplace simply shouldn't have such broadly different checkout experiences. I have nothing against third party checkout providers, but EBAY should really make sure the experience is completely seamless to the buyer.

EBAY has at least now closed the door to new third-party checkout systems and indicated it might even phase out all third-party checkouts in 2009. In order to do so, I suppose EBAY may have to enhance its own checkout system to incorporate additional functionality for high volume sellers. This might cause some sellers to rethink their listing strategies but at least from one buyer's point of view, it's about time.

Comments

[commentguy]

I am with you on this. While there are surely reputable thid patry payment systems, I do think having one third party makes eBay more like other ecommerce sites. However, sellers should have some say about what kindsw of payments they take and many already use merchant systems outside of paypal for other businesses they may run. Perhpaps there should be a way to make third party systems more consistent in look and feel so it is seamless to buyers. Of course, seller should always be able to take Money Ordes and checks as well.