posted on August 3, 2004 07:22:47 AM
When I look at the Ebay message boards, it seems as though everybody is upset!! It's either billing issues or changes in categories or lousy customer service. Why hasn't another auction such as Yahoo or Bidville attempted to step up and capture some of this business. I understand that nobody wants to take on Goliath, but it seems as though Goliath has done damage to "hisownself" that could be taken advantage of!!
posted on August 3, 2004 08:11:05 AM
This is perennial wishful thinking on this board.
Do not make the assumption that the competitors would do any better. At the outset, they would be hampered by low market share impacting the amount they are willing to invest; if they grow large enough, they will probably be just the same (or maybe a different set of problems) as eBay.
For better or worse, eBay is embedded in the public mind as THE internet flea market. I don't believe many buyers know or care about the issues sellers have with eBay. And sellers will stay where customers shop.
posted on August 3, 2004 08:29:12 AM
The other sites usually come about as "free", but as usual you get what you pay for... no advertising, no support...
The only way a site will ever be competition is to come out strong... advertise the heck out it and lead a path to themselves... that means seeing commercials on TV, just like eBay, that means trying to be something eBay is not... maybe back to a true auction format... fraud protection and seller protection... lot of things that need to be looked at and some heavy investment capital... to sustain the site in the beginning...
eBay is synonomous with online selling now, but it can be done, just no one is capable or willing to do what really needs to be done to actually compete... the risk would be great... but the reward could be just as great.
posted on August 3, 2004 09:30:20 AM
<<<"... maybe back to a true auction format... ">
Yes, "true auction"- down to the last bid placed, where auctions scheduled to end, if bid on in the last minute, gets extended 5 minutes to let another bid in, and if not, then the gavel falls.
