posted on September 27, 2001 09:40:14 AM new
Oh boy, here we go yet one more time...
<<<..it's used to recruit people, a few of whom will be long-term "customers," in this case sellers and buyers....It can't be to help eBay recruit a few long term customers?
And this is somehow wrong?>>>
Um YESSSS, this is "somehow wrong..." To use a tragedy that Meg Whitman said she didn't want anyone to profit from as a recruiting tool for ebay is MORE than somehow wrong, and I don't care who it benefits or how it benefits them, even if it would in fact be ME it benefited.
posted on September 27, 2001 09:53:17 AM newCapische yet????
Oh, I UNDERSTOOD the point the first time it was made!
I just think it is "grandstanding"...false indignation...making a mountain out of a molehill....nitpicking...blind dislike for ebay...much ado about nothing, etc.
My opinion, to which I am entitled, just as you are entitled to yours.
posted on September 27, 2001 10:48:28 AM new
So let me get this excuse for reasoning straight...
Anyone who finds the fact that ebay is using this tragedy as a recruiting drive is "grandstanding," "nitpicking," expressing "false indignation," etc., but ebay IN FACT doing it is NOT grandstanding, profiteering, or taking advantage of a tragedy, EVEN IF you were right about what you say about the people who condemn it, which in my case, I know is absurd. Yes, everyone has a right to any absurd opinion they want to have, that's very true, as the disinformation machine has shown time and time again...
posted on September 27, 2001 11:28:20 AM new
Yes, there is a giant disinformation machine present on AW. And a giant "slam ebay no matter what they do" machine.
posted on September 27, 2001 12:04:20 PM new
The Mills are not ordinary malls--they are
huge regional outlet centers filled with
deep discounts on name brand merchandise
in all price ranges. Why would ebay
promote the stores or the auctions in
a b/m venue that directly competes
with many ebay sellers? I personally
can not compete with a Saks or JCPenney
outlet store. Can you?
posted on September 27, 2001 01:28:03 PM new
I find it funny that ebay is turning into Microsoft. Case in point...
Microsoft strong arms peoples, partners, and competitors. So does ebay. If ebay doesn't get its way, it just buys them (half.com). Microsoft has used the same tactics.
One thing to note in history. While Microsoft may be the largest software company in the world and CONTROLS the market in operating systems, not every idea of their has worked. Here is a list of parallel ideas:
Bob (micrsoft's little known attempt at operating system alternative) = Ebay stores.
AFA and Billpoint = Microsoft XP registration.
Actually there are tons of cross references. Not every idea that Microsoft has come up with works or even succeeds. There are many that have failed, from their attempt to destroy AOL by offering MSN to their Bob operating system. It would seem ebay is on the same path nowadays. They are going to find out soon that you can't take over everything you want.
Payment services are a fine example. Despite ebay's efforts, paypal.com still far outpaces billpoint. I also think that storefronts will fail. Ebay should concentrate on its CORE business which is very profitable now and will be for many years to come.
I also love how ebay every quarter seems to incorporate new things into their system to thwart people from making money off ebay or allow alternate services from independants. Just like Microsoft with IE. Example:
Photo Hosting
Billpoint
Buying of Blackthorne
half.com
Storefronts (AW and Andale had those before ebay)
Counters
Changing formats to thwart services like Vrane.
