As a very long term seller, I can tell all of you this.
Ues there is pretty of proof ebay owns paypal. They bought it several years ago, In the beginning (god, I sound old) it replace the escrow system. Let's be honest here, we all know or should know that a certain percentage of buyers are going to complain and want their money back. Most or many times the postage makes it so it is not worth our while to have it returned and they know that. I have also seen people who had complains selling what they complained about. So, the question is this, what system protects both sides? (as there are bad sellers out there too).
In my mind Amazon has it right. The moment you confirm an item shipped money is released to your payment account and once daily you may request it to de deposited to your checking account or whatever you do.
If a problem does arise and at times they do, the buyer is to contact the seller and work things out with them. If that doesn't work they have a A to z claim systems where the buyer and the seller can present their cases. You. do pay postage up front but it is not a long haul till you get your money, 3 to 5 days. E bay's half com pays twice monthly. With Amazon the postage is set in advance, sellers cannot change this. When you get a sale the postage is credited to you and you ship, If it less you make out and when it is more you don't. Half.com is basically the same you just get a slighly higher fee.
E bay is good for when you have niche items, such as coins, dolls, watches etc and one should use all 3. Which one you sell on the most is your choice. It has always ben known as a higher fee company and I suspect it always be, so how do I use it is the question and I have said when you are selling niche items or those things not in the catalog at the other sites (yes, you may make a request to add the item to the catalog.
The situation is, use all 3. It works out.
