eBay is the most trusted ecommerce company

December 16, 2008

ebaypadlockedNew research has just named eBay as the number one most trusted ecommerce site and second most trusted company overall after American Express.

A study by the Ponemon Institute and TRUSTe asked US consumers which companies they thought were most trustworthy and which did the best job safeguarding personal information. Out of 706 companies were named by consumers eBay was right at the top, up six places from last year jumping ahead of Amazon who are now in fourth place.

Google who were in the top 10 for two years running have now dropped out of the top 20, whilst Facebook, Yahoo! and Apple appear in the top 20 for the first time.

What’s most interesting to me is that eBay has been the number one target for phishing and fraud for many years, but have worked hard to improve user security. With steps such as concealing bidder IDs and anonymising email communications between buyers and sellers they are continually fighting to improve security and protect members privacy.

With Watchdog praising eBay in the UK and the accolade of most trusted ecommerce company in the US, the Trust and Safety team along with the Privacy team led by Scott Shipman, are reaping the rewards for their hard work.

eBay has always been the number one ecommerce destination for buyers. Now it’s also the number one ecommerce destination for protecting members privacy.

Written by Chris Dawson · Filed Under News | 19 Comments 

Facebook remove users with suspected fake names

September 27, 2008

facebookFacebook users suspected of using fake names are being kicked off the site, reports The Sydney Morning Herald. The paper cites Elmo Keep - yes, it’s her real name - who was banned without warning from Facebook, until she sent in official proof of her identity. It says numerous others have been banned by Facebook’s name police, for using names ‘including “podcast”, “beaver”, “jelly”, “beer” and “duck”‘.

Facebook’s terms of use make a vague statement prohibiting “creat[ing] a false identity”. Their code of conduct goes a little further, telling members they may not “register for more than one account or use or attempt to use another’s account, service or system without authorization or create a false identity on the Service or the Site”.

The Sydney Morning Herald explains this as Facebook “making the web more credible” by preventing people from hiding behind pseudonyms and false identities. I prefer Valleywag’s interpretation, that this is Facebook’s guarantee to their advertisers that targetted ads are being aimed at the right demographics. You don’t want to pay to advertise to 20 year old women on Facebook, only to discover that half of them are actually 50 year old men in disguise.

Many eBay sellers and etailers I know have Facebook IDs that match their business names. From a branding point of view, this looks like a great idea: if you’re going to use Facebook to promote your online business, better to do it under your business name, right? But if you’re doing that, you’re risking having your Facebook account terminated.

Written by Sue Bailey · Filed Under Ecommerce, Social Media | 5 Comments 

eBay for Charity party at Live!

May 19, 2008

This post was written in May 2008; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

The first eBay Live! party has been announced, and it’s hosted by eBay for Charity (or as they’re known across the pond “eBay Giving Works”).

If you’re a charity seller and attending eBay Live! you’ll find the cocktail party at McCormick Place Convention Room W194 A & B on Friday, June 20, 2008, 4.00pm - 5.30pm.

What’s even better is if you’re registered on Facebook the first 100 to RSVP for the party will get a limited edition grab bag. I dunno about you but I’m a sucker for some eBay merchandise so I’ll be there! ;-)
(If you need a Facebook invite to the party let us know in comments below and we’ll send you one).

This is a great opportunity to meet and socialise with other charity sellers and meet some of the eBay and Missionfish staff. Hope to see you there!

Written by Chris Dawson · Filed Under News | 2 Comments 

Facebook to add e-commerce module

April 3, 2008

This post was written in April 2008; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

Ben Ling, Director of Platform Product Marketing at Facebook, today shared the roadmap of how e-commerce will be enabled on the site.

Currently there are two ways to advertise products, but that’s all about to change with the launch of a new application enabling real e-commerce. Facebook already have the Gifts application, which allows users to send personalized messages with icons to their Facebook friends.

The cost to send a virtual gift (in reality an electronic item of no tangible value) is $1.00. Facebook plan a similar application where real products can be purchased.

They already have a credit card facility to collect payments, but will be implementing a new payment processor when the application goes live.

There are no indications on which payment processor will be used, options could include PayPal, Microsoft, Google Checkout and Amazon, two of which already have ties with Facebook. Previously Ben Ling was a product management director for Google and oversaw the launch of Google Checkout. Microsoft are a significant investor in the Facebook platform.

With the active Facebook developer network it is likely that once the first application is enabled many more will rapidly follow.

Written by Chris Dawson · Filed Under Featured | Comments Off 

PayPal in your Facebook

January 16, 2008

This post was written in January 2008; specific information contained within it may be out of date.

PayPal has joined Facebook! You can now add PayPal buttons to your Facebook profile to raise money for your favourite good cause: the badge can be personalised with a picture and message of your choice, and you can measure how you’re progressing towards your goal.

You can also simply send money with PayPal for Facebook. PayPal say “Does a coworker owe you for lunch? Did you spot somebody $20? No need to drop hints to get your money back”, which all sounds a bit passive aggressive if you ask me, but no doubt some people would prefer to pay PayPal fees than ask for their cash.

Written by Sue Bailey · Filed Under News | Comments Off