In anticipation of eBay's rule change to allow only electronic payments for most transactions taking place on its site, ProPay is rolling out a pair of service packages geared specifically toward eBay's largest sellers.
eBay's paperless-payments policy goes into effect later this month. ProPay, based in Orem, Utah, is the only other electronic payments provider currently sanctioned by eBay, outside of the company's own PayPal subsidiary and merchant credit card processing systems. However, eBay has indicated it will integrate more providers into its checkout system in 2009.
ProPay says it's marketing its services primarily to PowerSellers, who are more likely to accept credit cards for transactions both on and off eBay. Additionally, with both annual fees and transaction fees, the services make the most sense for sellers with higher sales volumes.
Sellers applying for the eBay-oriented plans have to pass a thorough screening process, ProPay says.
The company is starting off by offering two packages: one being a basic payment processing service, and the other a fuller-featured alternative for multi-channel sellers.
The basic program, called the eAuction Account, is initially being targeted for sellers at the Silver level and above, with an annual fee of $24, plus transaction fees. Using this program allows buyers to pay using a credit or debit card without signing up for a ProPay account.
The package will be available starting in late October. ProPay plans to extend the eAuction service to Bronze-level sellers starting in 2009.
Later this year, ProPay expects to debut the eAuction Pro service for Silver-and-higher sellers who also sell in venues outside of eBay. The service, which adds a number of advanced processing options to the basic service, will cost $240 a year, plus transaction fees.
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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