Newspapers featuring Steve Irwin are prices high at eBay. Check out ads placed offering the Daily Telegraph – $6.50, the Cairns Post – $42.99, and, the Herald Sun – US$40.00. Even the poster for The Australian – $22.50.
While I respect the right of people to trade what they want, as long as it is not illegal, I would like to see eBay take a stand on this stuff and donate their advertising and Paypal fees to the work of Steve Irwin. It is wrong for them to trade in his death. I know they will have excuses and say that their community are their police on matters like this, the reality i that from every ad for Steve Irwin product they make money. eBay ought to show leadership on this.
Ebay can’t be punished for this. It’s a bit like suing Telstra because it’s users are into illegal/pirated downloads. Ebay won’t show emotional attachment to any one single issue or cause, why should they, what would really be a compelling arguement for such a multi-national to do so ?
A moral is the last thing ebay need to be identified for. How about they fix their new ‘rip off’ scheme for sellers first.
eBay all too often hides behine the excuse that they are self regulating via their “community”. Their PR people pitch this as if they themselves cannot do anything. In reality they can if they have the will. I heard one of their people on the readio last week making this pitch will all orts of excuses. eBay needs to acknowledge its role and be mroe transparent – especially about Paypal fees from such transactions.