eBay and PayPal have combined to launch a new payment service on eBay in Russia in association with Qiwi, a local Russian payment provider that helps customers buy online as if using cash.
In a press conference in Moscow, eBay and PayPal announced that from early November on, all Russian eBay customers will be able to pay for their purchases with QIWI Wallet.
The new service, which becomes an additional payment option on eBay along with PayPal and credit cards, will allow eBay customers to make online purchases in a simple and secure manner.
QIWI Wallet is easily topped-up using a wide range of channels: by cash in over 100 000 QIWI’s kiosks, via credit or debit cards, mobile phone balance or electronic money. Users can chose a suitable interface from a range of options like mobile and social network apps, website qiwi.com or QIWI kiosk.
Given an estimated 70 percent of all commerce transactions in Russia – online and offline – being settled in cash, the new payment service is expected to open eBay to even more online shoppers.
Vladimir Dolgov, Head of eBay Marketplaces in Russia, said: “This is a significant strategic milestone for eBay in Russia which demonstrates our commitment to making online shopping safe and convenient for Russian consumers. By adding a locally recognized, immensely popular payment method to eBay in Russia, we are connecting shoppers in more ways than ever before with eBay merchants around the world. QIWI Wallet in Russia is eBay's first alternate payment option.”
QIWI Wallet can be used to pay for over 250 million items offered by cross-border sellers on eBay to consumers in Russia. PayPal supports processing of Visa QIWI Wallet payments so merchants will continue to receive seamless transaction processing and receipt of funds.