E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Clint Swett 2001-08-08 19:02:34

See Full Story

You'd think that auctioning off that chenille bedspread or Reggie
Theus jersey on eBay would be a pretty straightforward exercise.
According to thousands of people, you'd think wrong.

To master the nuances of the auction site, more than 8,000 people have attended college
-- actually, eBay University -- to learn skills ranging from eBay basics to power
marketing. The series of traveling seminars sponsored by eBay lands in
Sacramento this weekend.

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Eric Gazin 2001-08-08 19:17:18 In reply to: Clint Swett

Ebay University has its value for novice Internet auction users, but it is analogous to taking advice from the coal company on what to be at the company store. It is only mastering the parts of Ebay that Ebay thinks you should know.

Will Ebay plug Paypal over it's own Billpoint credit card services? Will they let those attending know how common it is for transactions to be completed "off Ebay" cutting Ebay out of their listing fees? Will they tell people that most of the extra Ebay services Ebay pushes do not really get you more bids, and that if you price it right, you will do just as well?

There is a strong need for independent auction seminars, but those who take their guidance from Ebay are only being lead down an Ebay profit path.

Eric Gazin

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Turbo Shueller 2001-08-09 13:51:19 In reply to: Eric Gazin

The university is nothing more than another way for eBay to try and fill its already overflowing coffers. I have to agree with the other poster. I do not believe that eBay will promote anything other than its own services for its class.

Especially in light of their behavior with competitors. They act like the Microsoft of auction companies.

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Billy Preston 2001-08-09 15:32:10 In reply to: Turbo Shueller

I agree with you completely.

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Chuck Gaudio 2001-08-10 05:57:25 In reply to: Billy Preston

And so would you. Those of us who sell love Ebay for only one reason-they've got the traffic! And when I'm looking to buy, Ebay's the first place I go-why? Because they've got the sellers. I don't expect this to change.

For a year, I've sold a guide on the ins and outs of Ebay, including a bookkeeping system-something nobody else has, and Ebay couldn't be expected to bother teaching. Using my techniques, a person can expect to get top dollar for their item without suckering for a lot of Ebay's whistles and bells. There are a lot of people like me, making money teaching things that are expensive to learn in on-line auctioning.

Three years ago, I completely outfitted myself for an elk hunting camping trip-no, I didn't get the rifle there-and ended up paying about 20% of retail.

I am glad Ebay is there, and if you are selling or buying, you will be too, and you won't begrudge them their size or profits, or their survival tactics. If you were in their shoes, you'd do the exact same thing.
-c

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Billy Preston 2001-08-15 17:21:08 In reply to: Chuck Gaudio

It is just a matter of time before someone finds a way to beat eBay at their own game.

Re: Eager To Be a Player on eBay?
Posted by: Morty Gazinsky 2001-08-09 12:16:35 In reply to: Eric Gazin

I disagree with your attacking eBay. They are one of the only successful dot-coms. They have found a successful business model and are working hard to see that it works.

They are entitled to do what it takes to ensure that their company succeeds. eBay, keep up the good work.