What is eBay?
In 1995 computer programmer, Pierre Omidyar created an auction web site called AuctionWeb. Today it is known as ebay and includes PayPal, Skype and Shopping.com. Profitable from almost the beginning ebay has an almost magical attraction. Starting out in San Jose, California it is now a world wide company.
With approximately $2, 039 generated every second of the day in sales, ebay is truly mind boggling. It boasts over 276 million registered users including 1.3 million sellers. Its original auction format has expanded ton include fixed price formats also.Anything you are looking for you can find on ebay.
Although it made its name as a marketplace for used goods and collectibles today sellers on eBay range from individuals trying to make a few dollars on unwanted goods to major businesses auctioning their stock.
How easy is it to use?
The following quote sadly is a common opinion of ebay’s ease of use. “It is unfortunate that eBay has gotten more and more complicated than when I had first joined in 1999. I have to say, eBay.com was faster, more efficient, and was much easier to use back then. I’ve spent a lot of time on eBay and you would think that it would get easier and easier to use. However, because they keep adding features, it is actually getting more difficult to use. What a shame.”
The site appears to be more complex to use from the seller’s point of view which is natural since there is more responsibility involved in advertising and selling an item. One disgruntled seller suggests that the only reason that eBay is successful despite making the process so difficult is that, because they are making money rather than spending it, the user is more willing to accept the complexity of the site.
Personal experience in buying through eBay has been relatively simple. Where the buyer is concerned, once you have registered the biggest problem is finding exactly what you want among the millions of items for sale. Of course, there is always the possibility of fraud and you need to read the advertisements and the seller’s feedback carefully to avoid being ‘had’.
Summary
eBay has been an extremely successful marketing concept which continues to flourish regardless of the fact that many sellers find the process difficult or tedious. If you are looking for a bargain on eBay it is important to remember that it is, in essence, simply a very big, online garage sale.
Have fun, enjoy the excitement of a live auction, just be careful not to get carried away. You want to purchase what you want, not be taken to the cleaners.
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