Interesting article + there stock just took a big dive.
Competitors Vie for Disenchanted eBay Sellers
By Ina Steiner
AuctionBytes.com
January 20, 2005
On the heels of eBay's announcement last week of increased fees in
stores and certain features, several of the auction giant's
competitors have seized on the opportunity to lure unhappy eBay
sellers to their own online venues.
Overstock Auctions said it had experienced a 50% increase in auction
listings since eBay announced increases in its fees for Stores
scheduled to take effect February 18. It did not reply to inquiries
about the actual number of listings it currently has.
Further capitalizing on the growing unreset over eBay fees, Overstock
Auctions said it will reduce its listing fees by 52% from February 18
to March 18. It will also give each person who visits or registers
with Overstock.com Auctions on the day eBay's new fee structure takes
effect a $10 credit toward Overstock.com Auctions listing fees.
LiveDeal, an online classifieds marketplace, reported an increase of
25% in listings since last week. It also issued statistics about its
growth in the past year as it ramped up operations. In January, the
site had 120,00 unique listings and 150,000 sellers. An announcement
read, "In just the fourth quarter of 2004 alone, LiveDeal saw a 94
percent growth in active items. A significant portion of this rapid
growth is being driven by the site's fast-growing Super Seller
community."
A representative for OnlineAuction.com, a new auction site, said, "We
have seen our registered users quadruple in the last week."
uBid also said it hoped to attract eBay sellers with its revamped
Certified Merchant (UCM) program. The program is not geared to
individuals, but according to a spokesperson, "it has appealed
strongly to eBay PowerSellers."
uBid has 100 UCM vendors and are looking to increase it dramatically.
"Two weeks ago we attended the Consumer Electronics Show with the
intent of finding new vendors," said Mika Leibovich, uBid's Marketing
Communications Manager. "By the end of the show, we had 239
people/vendors request more information on selling on uBid."
uBid said it will waive the $99 processing fee for users who type
"FightFees" in the Comments Field on applications received by February
18, 2005.
How many sellers might reduce listings or close their eBay Stores is
impossible to say, whether it is a significant percentage or a drop in
the bucket for eBay. But the trend of sellers exploring other venues
as an expansion of their eBay sales or as an alternative is likely to
continue.
Top
