eBay users in the United States will be able to pay for purchases using Paymate, starting Feb. 26 when the Australia-based company is integrated into the auction site.
"Paymate is delighted to extend our services beyond Australia and New Zealand into the USA, both to eBay members and Web site merchants," says Dilip Rao, Paymate's managing director. "Our integration into eBay is a recognition of our global credentials as a safe and secure payment provider."
The service, which is currently used in 57 countries, recently announced its pricing plan for eBay users.
Merchants who offer Paymate service will pay a commission of 3 percent, plus 50 cents for every transaction. Buyers won't have to open a Paymate account to use the service. Payment is directly deposited into sellers' accounts usually in about a day, according to Rao.
It also offers its users "risk assessment systems" to help prevent fraud, and buyers will be fully protected against unauthorized payments and undelivered goods, according to the company.
"Paymate's proven risk management capabilities will protect buyers and sellers conducting global commerce, and our client service—rated over 8-out-of-10—will delight Americans," Rao reports on Paymate's Web site. "As a smaller, but trusted and reliable service, we believe Paymate's Australian values will win us new clients in the competitive U.S. market."
The addition of Paymate, which was announced in early January, is one more option for eBay sellers, who can now offer only electronic payment options to buyers. In addition to Paymate and eBay-owned PayPal, eBay has also authorized the use of ProPay's payment service. However, ProPay will initially only be available to PowerSellers.
But more options are on the way. Later this month, eBay will integrate another electronic payment service called Moneybookers. Sellers who use Moneybookers will pay 2.9 percent, plus 29 cents per transaction for monthly sales of up to $3,000. Fees decrease to 2.4 percent, plus 29 cents per transaction for monthly sales between $3,000.01 and $10,000 and to 2.1 percent, plus 29 cents per transaction for monthly sales of between $10,000.01 and $100,000. Sellers who bring in more than $100,000 a month will pay 1.9 percent, plus 29 cents per transaction.
Auctiva staff writers constantly monitor trends and best practices of those selling on eBay and elsewhere online. They attend relevant training seminars and trade shows and regularly discuss the market with PowerSellers and other market experts.
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